Hydraulic System: Description and Operation

Hydraulic Brake Actuation

Brake Master Cylinder
The dual brake system is split front and rear with the front wheel brakes comprising one circuit and the rear wheel brakes the other circuit.

The brake master cylinder is a dual piston type. When the brake pedal is pressed, pressure is applied by mechanical linkage to the primary and secondary piston. The pistons then apply hydraulic pressure to the two hydraulic circuits. The brake master cylinder can not be repaired. Install a new master cylinder if replacement is necessary.

The brake master cylinder consists of:
^ brake master cylinder reservoir
^ brake master cylinder body

Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir
The brake master cylinder reservoir:
^ is mounted to the brake master cylinder.
^ holds fluid supply for each brake master cylinder hydraulic piston.
^ provides visual fluid level markings.
^ contains the brake master cylinder fluid level sensor.

Brake Pedal and Bracket
The brake pedal is connected to the power brake booster, which is connected to the brake master cylinder. When the brake pedal is pressed, brake fluid is forced from the brake master cylinder through the steel tubing and flexible hoses to the front and rear brake calipers.

The brake pedal bracket provides a mounting location for the clutch pedal and clutch pedal master cylinder for vehicles with manual transmissions. The bracket also provides a mounting location for the speed control deactivator switches, stoplamp switch, and on vehicles with manual transmissions, the starter interlock switch, mounted just below the clutch.

Brake Tubes and Hoses

CAUTION: Never use copper tubing. It is subject to fatigue, cracking and corrosion which could result in brake tube failure.

Steel tubing is used throughout the brake hydraulic system. All brake tube fittings must be correctly flared to provide strong leakproof connections. When bending the tubing to fit the underbody or rear axle contours, be careful not to kink or crack the tube.

If a section of brake tube is damaged, the entire section must be removed and a new tube of the same type, size, shape and length installed.

When replacing hydraulic brake tubing, hoses, or connectors, tighten all connections securely. After installation, bleed the brake system.