2003 Chevrolet Astro Brake Service (ONLINE REPAIR MANUALS)

Height Sensing Proportioning Valve

The height sensing proportioning valve must be adjusted whenever the valve and/or linkage is disassembled or removed for service. In addition, adjustment should be inspected if excessive front wheel lock-up is experienced with a lower than desired brake application rate when vehicle is at or near maximum GVWR.

• Raise and support vehicle, leave wheels on and allow axle to hang freely.
• Remove lever retaining nut and disconnect lever from valve shaft,. Fig. .
• Rotate valve shaft to permit installation of correct adjustment gauge,. Fig. , ensure D shaped hol...

In order to properly service power brake systems, a thorough understanding of the power assist system is required. These systems provide a mechanical assist, acting to increase the force applied to the master cylinder piston by the driver while decreasing the effort required to obtain acceptable stopping performance.

Hydraulic assist units incorporate a basic open center spool valve, hydraulic cylinder and an accumulator assembly in a common housing. When the brake pedal is depressed, the hydraulic piston moves forward closing off fluid relief passages, the spool valve applies fluid ...

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 ...

When working on or around brake assemblies, care must be taken to prevent breathing asbestos dust, as many manufacturers incorporate asbestos fibers in the production of brake linings. During routine service operations, the amount of asbestos dust from brake lining wear is at a low level because of a chemical breakdown during use and a few precautions will minimize exposure.. Do not sand or grind brake linings unless suitable local exhaust ventilation equipment is used to prevent excessiv...

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 vehicle comes to an uphill stop.

Although the brakes are self-adjusting, an initial adjustment is required 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 t...

When wheel slip is detected during a brake application, the ABS enters anti-lock mode. During anti-lock braking, hydraulic pressure in the individual wheel circuits is controlled to prevent any wheel from slipping. A separate hydraulic line and specific solenoid valves are provided for each wheel. The ABS can decrease, hold, or increase hydraulic pressure to each wheel brake. The ABS cannot, however, increase hydraulic pressure above the amount which is transmitted by the master cylinder during braking.

During anti-lock braking, a series of rapid pulsations is felt in the brake pedal...