Brakes and Braking Systems Flashcards
6 cards from real DFFT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Brakes and Braking Systems flashcards as text
A vehicle pulls to one side when the brakes are applied. What is the most likely cause?
Answer: Uneven brake pad wear or a seized caliper on one side
Uneven braking force caused by a seized caliper or uneven pad wear causes the vehicle to pull toward the side with more braking force.
A customer reports a spongy brake pedal that goes nearly to the floor. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Answer: Air in the hydraulic brake lines
Air is compressible, so air trapped in the hydraulic lines causes a spongy, low pedal feel instead of firm hydraulic resistance.
Brake fade occurs during repeated heavy braking. What is the primary cause of this condition?
Answer: Overheated brake pads losing friction coefficient
Excessive heat causes brake pad material to vaporize or glaze, dramatically reducing the friction needed to slow the vehicle.
A grinding noise is heard when the brakes are applied. What does this indicate?
Answer: Brake pads worn down to the metal backing plate
When pad friction material is completely worn away, the metal backing plate contacts the rotor directly, causing a grinding metal-on-metal noise.
A vehicle with ABS has a warning light on and the pedal pulses abnormally during normal stops. What should be checked first?
Answer: Wheel speed sensors and their wiring harness
A faulty or damaged wheel speed sensor sends incorrect signals to the ABS control module, triggering the warning light and causing improper ABS activation.
A high-pitched squealing noise occurs whenever the brakes are lightly applied. What is the most likely cause?
Answer: Brake pad wear indicators contacting the rotor
Most brake pads have built-in metal wear indicators that squeal against the rotor to warn the driver when pads are due for replacement.