Ase A5 - Brakes Practice Test
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2023/2024
1. A spongy brake pedal may be caused by:
a. ABS Diagnostic Trouble Code set
b. Frozen caliper piston
c. Defective metering valve.
d. Air in hydraulic system
d. Air in hydraulic system
Air causes a gap in the hydraulic fluid flow because the fluid has to compress the air before it can apply
the piston. This delay causes the spongy feel. The other choices do not affect this concern.
2. This question has the word EXCEPT. For this question, look for the choice that could NOT cause the
described situation. Read the entire question carefully before choosing your answer. A vehicle has a
very erratic brake pulling concern while applying the brakes. All of the following items could cause
this erratic pull EXCEPT:
a. Excessive tire pressure
b. Four-wheel alignment
c. Seized caliper piston on the other side
d. Steering gear problem
a. Excessive tire pressure
Excessive tire pressure is the exception because this fault will cause tire wear but not a pull. Low or
uneven tire pressure can cause a pull.
3. The brakes are being bled on an older vehicle equipped with a quick take up valve in the master
cylinder. Technician A says the quick take up valve must be depressed. Technician B says the brakes
on this vehicle cannot be bled. Who is right?
a. A only
b. B only
c. Both A and B
d. Neither A nor B
d. Neither A nor B
, Both technicians are wrong. The brakes on quick take up systems use the same bleeding procedure as
those without this valve.
4. A power assist brake booster push rod that is to short will cause which of the following?
a. Excessive brake drag
b. Brake system to be inoperative
c. Excessive brake pedal travel
d. Brake light is illuminated
c. Excessive brake pedal travel
A short push rod length will have to travel farther for contact and result in excessive pedal travel.
5. A vehicle with disc/drum brakes requires excessive brake pedal effort to stop. The brake pedal is
firm when applied. While starting the engine with the brakes applied, the pedal does not go down
slightly. Technician A says excessive brake pedal freeplay could be the cause. Technician B says air
trapped in the hydraulic system could be the cause. Who is right?
a. A only
b. B only
c. Both A and B
d. Neither A nor B
d. Neither A nor B
Both technicians are wrong because the problem is in the power booster. Excessive freeplay delays
application and air in the hydraulic system will cause a spongy pedal.
6. Which of the following conditions can cause brake pedal fade?
a. Seized wheel cylinder piston
b. Brake drum machined beyond its limit
c. Leakage past the master cylinder cups
d. Air in the hydraulic system
b. Brake drum machined beyond its limit
The greatest drawback of drum brakes is that they are susceptible to fade. Brake fade is loss of stopping
power that occurs when excessive heat reduces friction between brake shoe linings and drum. There are
four types of brake fade. Mechanical fade occurs when the brake drum gets so hot it expands away from
the brake linings. If the brake drum is machined beyond its limit the contact surface is further from the
brake shoes and they move outward to maintain contact with the drum, causing the brake pedal to drop
toward the floor as additional brake fluid moves into the hydraulic system. The other 3 choices would
not cause brake fade.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2023/2024
1. A spongy brake pedal may be caused by:
a. ABS Diagnostic Trouble Code set
b. Frozen caliper piston
c. Defective metering valve.
d. Air in hydraulic system
d. Air in hydraulic system
Air causes a gap in the hydraulic fluid flow because the fluid has to compress the air before it can apply
the piston. This delay causes the spongy feel. The other choices do not affect this concern.
2. This question has the word EXCEPT. For this question, look for the choice that could NOT cause the
described situation. Read the entire question carefully before choosing your answer. A vehicle has a
very erratic brake pulling concern while applying the brakes. All of the following items could cause
this erratic pull EXCEPT:
a. Excessive tire pressure
b. Four-wheel alignment
c. Seized caliper piston on the other side
d. Steering gear problem
a. Excessive tire pressure
Excessive tire pressure is the exception because this fault will cause tire wear but not a pull. Low or
uneven tire pressure can cause a pull.
3. The brakes are being bled on an older vehicle equipped with a quick take up valve in the master
cylinder. Technician A says the quick take up valve must be depressed. Technician B says the brakes
on this vehicle cannot be bled. Who is right?
a. A only
b. B only
c. Both A and B
d. Neither A nor B
d. Neither A nor B
, Both technicians are wrong. The brakes on quick take up systems use the same bleeding procedure as
those without this valve.
4. A power assist brake booster push rod that is to short will cause which of the following?
a. Excessive brake drag
b. Brake system to be inoperative
c. Excessive brake pedal travel
d. Brake light is illuminated
c. Excessive brake pedal travel
A short push rod length will have to travel farther for contact and result in excessive pedal travel.
5. A vehicle with disc/drum brakes requires excessive brake pedal effort to stop. The brake pedal is
firm when applied. While starting the engine with the brakes applied, the pedal does not go down
slightly. Technician A says excessive brake pedal freeplay could be the cause. Technician B says air
trapped in the hydraulic system could be the cause. Who is right?
a. A only
b. B only
c. Both A and B
d. Neither A nor B
d. Neither A nor B
Both technicians are wrong because the problem is in the power booster. Excessive freeplay delays
application and air in the hydraulic system will cause a spongy pedal.
6. Which of the following conditions can cause brake pedal fade?
a. Seized wheel cylinder piston
b. Brake drum machined beyond its limit
c. Leakage past the master cylinder cups
d. Air in the hydraulic system
b. Brake drum machined beyond its limit
The greatest drawback of drum brakes is that they are susceptible to fade. Brake fade is loss of stopping
power that occurs when excessive heat reduces friction between brake shoe linings and drum. There are
four types of brake fade. Mechanical fade occurs when the brake drum gets so hot it expands away from
the brake linings. If the brake drum is machined beyond its limit the contact surface is further from the
brake shoes and they move outward to maintain contact with the drum, causing the brake pedal to drop
toward the floor as additional brake fluid moves into the hydraulic system. The other 3 choices would
not cause brake fade.
