1998 Chevrolet Astro Brake Service (ONLINE REPAIR MANUALS)

In order to properly service power brake systems, a thorough understanding of the various power assist systems is necessary. These systems provide a mechanical assist, acting to increase the force applied to the master cylinder piston by the driver while decreasing the effort necessary to obtain acceptable stopping performance. Two basic types of power assist mechanisms are used: vacuum assist diaphragm assemblies which use engine vacuum and in some cases vacuum from an external vacuum pump, and hydraulic assist assemblies which use hydraulic pressure developed by an external pump (...

Service Brake

These brakes have self-adjusting shoe mechanisms that ensure correct lining-to-drum clearances at all times. The automatic adjusters operate only when the brakes are applied as the vehicle is moving rearward or when the car comes to an uphill stop.

Although the brakes are self-adjusting, an initial adjustment is necessary after the brake shoes have been relined or replaced, or when the length of the adjusting screw has been changed during some other service operation.

Frequent usage of an automatic transmission forward range to halt reverse vehicle motion may prevent the ...

Manual Bleed

• If vehicle is equipped with power brakes, remove vacuum reserve by applying brakes several times with engine off.
• Fill master cylinder reservoirs with suitable brake fluid. Ensure to always keep master cylinder reservoirs at least half full during entire bleeding procedure.
• If master cylinder is suspected to have air in the bore, it must be bled first. To bleed master cylinder, proceed as follows:
• Disconnect forward brake pipe connection at master cylinder.
• Allow brake fluid to fill master cylinder bore until it begins to flow from forward pipe connector port.
• Connect ...

Master Cylinder

Some vehicles use a conventional tandem master cylinder with two hydraulic pistons operating in-line. The primary piston controls the front brake system and the secondary piston controls the rear brake system.

Other models use a master cylinder that operates the same as the conventional master cylinder, but also incorporates a quick take-up feature in the rear chamber to reduce excessive pedal travel which may result from increased fluid displacement required to move the low drag caliper piston out against the rotor.

The quick take-up uses a spring-loaded ball check val...

Excessive Pedal Travel

• Worn brake linings.
• Disc pads knock back after cornering or rough road travel.
• Piston and linings not properly seated or positioned.
• Insufficient fluid in system.
• Loose wheel bearing adjustment.
• Damaged or worn caliper piston seal.
• Improper booster pushrod adjustment.
• Pads out of flat more than .005 inch.
• Rear brake automatic adjusters inoperative.
• Improperly ground rear brake shoes.

Brake Roughness Or Chatter; Pedal Pumping

• Excessive lateral runout of rotor.
• Rotor excessively out of parallel.

Excessive Pedal Effort

• Frozen or seized pistons.
• Brake fluid, oil or grease on ...

Removal

Front

• Siphon brake fluid out of master cylinder until fluid level is approximately ^1/3 full, this will prevent fluid overflow when caliper piston is pushed back into its bore.
• Raise and support vehicle, then remove wheels.
• Push piston back into its bore using suitable C-clamp, Fig. .
• Remove two caliper mounting bolts and lift caliper off of rotor.

Rear

Blazer, Bravada & Jimmy

• Raise and support vehicle.
• Mark position of wheel to hub for installation reference.
• Remove wheel assembly.
• Remove mounting bolt and disconnect brake hose fitting from caliper. Discard gaskets and plug brake h...