2003 GMC Savana 1500 Brake Service (ONLINE REPAIR MANUALS)

Disassemble

• Place accumulator compressor tool No. J-26889, or equivalent, around end of accumulator.
• Install nut onto stud as in. Fig. , then depress accumulator with a C-clamp.
• Remove retainer by using a punch.
• Release C-clamp and remove accumulator compressor tool.
• Remove accumulator, O-ring, retainer, plug and spring,. Fig. .
• Remove retainer, output pushrod, baffle, piston return spring and retainer.
• Cut off eyelet of pedal rod, then remove boot.
• Remove nut, bracket and bolts, then separate cover from housing.
• Remove piston assembly and seals.
• Remove spool valve, then the accu...

The power brake uni...

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...

Astro & Safari

• Apply parking brake.
• Disconnect reservoir and power steering hoses from booster.
• Remove master cylinder to brake booster retaining nuts.
• Position and support master cylinder away from booster.. Do not remove hydraulic lines from master cylinder.
• Remove booster rod from top of brake pedal.
• Remove booster mounting nuts from inside of vehicle.
• Remove booster assembly and gasket.
• Reverse procedure to install, noting the following:
• Torque booster mounting nuts to 27 ft. lbs.
• Torque master cylinder retaining nuts to 27 ft. lbs.
• Torque power steering hoses to booster n...

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 ...

Certain general service procedures apply, regardless of whether the brakes are vacuum or hydraulically assisted. Only top quality, clean brake fluid should be used. More seals and valves are used with power brake systems than with ordinary brakes, so an inferior brake fluid will do much more damage. For the same reason, ensure all dirt is kept out of the system. Additionally, on models with hydraulic assist brakes, care must be taken not to mix the fluids of the booster hydraulic system and brake hydraulic system as the fluids are not compatible.

If the power unit fails, the brak...