Base Brake System

DESCRIPTION
The base brake system consists of the following components:
^ Brake pedal
^ Master cylinder
^ Power brake booster
^ Brake tubes and hoses
^ Combination valve
^ Disc brakes (front and rear)
^ Brake lamp switch
^ Parking brake

All brakes are power assist type through the use of a vacuum operated power brake booster.







The brakes hydraulic system on this vehicle is vertically split. On a vertically split hydraulic system, the pressure in the hydraulic system is split front to rear, with both front brakes on one hydraulic system and both rear brakes on the other. A conventional front wheel drive vehicle has a hydraulic system which is diagonally split, having the left front and right rear brake on one hydraulic system and the right front and left rear brake on the other.

Front disc brakes control the braking of the front wheels; rear braking is controlled by rear disc brakes.
The parking brake on this vehicle is hand lever operated.

For more information on the description of any individual base brake component, refer to that component.

OPERATION
When a vehicle needs to be stopped, the driver applies the brake pedal. The brake pedal pushes the input rod of the power brake booster into the booster. The booster uses vacuum to ease pedal effort as force is transferred through the booster to the master cylinder. The booster's output rod pushes in the master cylinder's primary and secondary pistons applying hydraulic pressure through the chassis brake tubes, junction block, and proportioning valves to the brakes at each tire and wheel assembly.

The hand lever operated parking brake operates in the following manner. When applied, the parking brake lever pulls on cables that actuate parking brake shoes at each rear wheel.

For more information on the operation of any individual base brake component, refer to that component.