ASE (Entry level technician prep) -
Brakes A5
A5 Question 1
The brake pedal is low and spongy; all brake adjustments have been completed according to
specifications. The cause of the problem could be:
A) Binding pedal linkage.
B)Dented brake line.
C)Plugged compensating port.
D)A weak hydraulic hose.
Answer D is correct! Binding pedal linkage would cause a hard pedal and perhaps an effective brake
system. This is also true for a dented brake line. A plugged compensator port may cause dragging
brakes. A weak hydraulic brake hose could cause a spongy pedal. As the pressure builds in the system,
the hose may expand and not relay the pressure to the brake units.
Quiz:A5 Question 2
A vehicle has no brake pedal free play. This problem may cause:
A) a low brake pedal.
B)pressure build-up and dragging brakes.
C)a spongy brake pedal.
D)fluid leaking past the primary piston cups.
Answer B is correct! Without some free play, the brakes may not fully unapply and may cause brake
dragging.
Quiz:A5 Question 3
There are signs of paint removal and peeling on the power brake booster right below the master
cylinder. The cause of this could be:
A) A leaking secondary cup on the primary piston.
, B)A defective diaphragm in the brake booster.
C)A leaking secondary cup on the second piston.
D)Fuel being drawn into the booster by the vacuum.
Answer A is correct! A leaking secondary cup on the primary piston could cause an external leak at the
master cylinder. Because brake fluid tends to destroy paint, the peeling paint could be a good indication
of a brake fluid leak.
Quiz:A5 Question 4
When removing the master cylinder, all of the following steps must be performed EXCEPT:
A) Relieve any vacuum boost pressure (if equipped with power brakes).
B)Plug the ends of the brake lines to prevent fluid loss.
C)Disconnect the float level sensor.
D)Drain the master cylinder.
Answer D is correct! All of the answer choices need to be completed prior to removing the master
cylinder. Draining the master cylinder of fluid is not something that must be done. If it is done thef luid is
removed only after the lines have been disconnected and capped. Fluid should not run out of the master
cylinder while it's being removed so it is easier to empty the cylinder on a bench.
Quiz:A5 Question 5
A vehicle pulls to the left during a brake application. The cause of the problem could be:
A)The right front brake linings are contaminated with grease.
B)The piston is seized in the right front brake caliper.
C)The master cylinder pistons are swollen from contaminated fluid.
D)The secondary compensating port is plugged in the master cylinder.
Answer B is correct! The direction a vehicle pulls toward during the application of brakes is the side of
the vehicle that has less braking power. If something on the right side were causing the brakes to drag or
grab, the vehicle would tend to pull to the side with less braking power on the left side.
1. A spongy brake pedal may be caused by:
a. ABS Diagnostic Trouble Code set
b. Frozen caliper piston
Brakes A5
A5 Question 1
The brake pedal is low and spongy; all brake adjustments have been completed according to
specifications. The cause of the problem could be:
A) Binding pedal linkage.
B)Dented brake line.
C)Plugged compensating port.
D)A weak hydraulic hose.
Answer D is correct! Binding pedal linkage would cause a hard pedal and perhaps an effective brake
system. This is also true for a dented brake line. A plugged compensator port may cause dragging
brakes. A weak hydraulic brake hose could cause a spongy pedal. As the pressure builds in the system,
the hose may expand and not relay the pressure to the brake units.
Quiz:A5 Question 2
A vehicle has no brake pedal free play. This problem may cause:
A) a low brake pedal.
B)pressure build-up and dragging brakes.
C)a spongy brake pedal.
D)fluid leaking past the primary piston cups.
Answer B is correct! Without some free play, the brakes may not fully unapply and may cause brake
dragging.
Quiz:A5 Question 3
There are signs of paint removal and peeling on the power brake booster right below the master
cylinder. The cause of this could be:
A) A leaking secondary cup on the primary piston.
, B)A defective diaphragm in the brake booster.
C)A leaking secondary cup on the second piston.
D)Fuel being drawn into the booster by the vacuum.
Answer A is correct! A leaking secondary cup on the primary piston could cause an external leak at the
master cylinder. Because brake fluid tends to destroy paint, the peeling paint could be a good indication
of a brake fluid leak.
Quiz:A5 Question 4
When removing the master cylinder, all of the following steps must be performed EXCEPT:
A) Relieve any vacuum boost pressure (if equipped with power brakes).
B)Plug the ends of the brake lines to prevent fluid loss.
C)Disconnect the float level sensor.
D)Drain the master cylinder.
Answer D is correct! All of the answer choices need to be completed prior to removing the master
cylinder. Draining the master cylinder of fluid is not something that must be done. If it is done thef luid is
removed only after the lines have been disconnected and capped. Fluid should not run out of the master
cylinder while it's being removed so it is easier to empty the cylinder on a bench.
Quiz:A5 Question 5
A vehicle pulls to the left during a brake application. The cause of the problem could be:
A)The right front brake linings are contaminated with grease.
B)The piston is seized in the right front brake caliper.
C)The master cylinder pistons are swollen from contaminated fluid.
D)The secondary compensating port is plugged in the master cylinder.
Answer B is correct! The direction a vehicle pulls toward during the application of brakes is the side of
the vehicle that has less braking power. If something on the right side were causing the brakes to drag or
grab, the vehicle would tend to pull to the side with less braking power on the left side.
1. A spongy brake pedal may be caused by:
a. ABS Diagnostic Trouble Code set
b. Frozen caliper piston
