Test Your Knowledge About Brake Service and Repair!

1. When servicing drum brakes, what should you inspect along with the brake shoes, drum fluid, wheel cylinder, and return springs?

Hydraulic lines

Parking brake cables

Wheel bearings

All of the above

When servicing drum brakes, it is important to inspect all related components to ensure the entire braking system functions effectively and safely. This includes:

Hydraulic lines to check for leaks or damage.

Parking brake cables to ensure they are functioning correctly and are not frayed or stuck.

Wheel bearings to confirm they are in good condition and properly lubricated.

Thus, the correct answer is:

Explanation

When servicing drum brakes, it is important to inspect all related components to ensure the entire braking system functions effectively and safely. This includes:

Hydraulic lines to check for leaks or damage.

Parking brake cables to ensure they are functioning correctly and are not frayed or stuck.

Wheel bearings to confirm they are in good condition and properly lubricated.

Thus, the correct answer is:

2. Is it okay to use compressed air to clean a brake assembly?

No, never

Only if you are outside

Yes, provided the exhaust fan is running

Only brakes with integral hubs

Although asbestos is no longer used in brake friction material, the dust from pads is not something you want in your lungs; it is toxic.

Explanation

Although asbestos is no longer used in brake friction material, the dust from pads is not something you want in your lungs; it is toxic.

3. Why should you use "care and precision" when working on a vehicle's brakes?

People’s lives depend on the quality of your work

The working life of a brake system can be greatly affected by poor work

Both of the above

Brake systems are made to be foolproof; care and precision doesn’t matter

When working on a vehicle's brakes, using "care and precision" is crucial for two main reasons. Firstly, people's lives depend on the quality of your work. Faulty brake systems can lead to accidents and injuries, so it is essential to ensure that the brakes are in proper working condition. Secondly, the working life of a brake system can be greatly affected by poor work. If the brakes are not installed or maintained correctly, they may wear out faster or fail prematurely, leading to costly repairs or replacements. Therefore, both of these reasons emphasize the importance of using care and precision when working on a vehicle's brakes.

Explanation

When working on a vehicle's brakes, using "care and precision" is crucial for two main reasons. Firstly, people's lives depend on the quality of your work. Faulty brake systems can lead to accidents and injuries, so it is essential to ensure that the brakes are in proper working condition. Secondly, the working life of a brake system can be greatly affected by poor work. If the brakes are not installed or maintained correctly, they may wear out faster or fail prematurely, leading to costly repairs or replacements. Therefore, both of these reasons emphasize the importance of using care and precision when working on a vehicle's brakes.

4. What type of wrench should you use when working on hydraulic lines?

Crescent Wrench

Combination wrench

Torque wrench

Flare nut wrench

Flare nut wrenches have an opening to allow the wrench over the brake line but are shaped to allow five of the six points on the nut to be supported.

Explanation

Flare nut wrenches have an opening to allow the wrench over the brake line but are shaped to allow five of the six points on the nut to be supported.

5. The insides of wheel cylinder boots are supposed to be….

Lubricated every 5000 km

Full of brake fluid

Dry and clean

Inaccessible without a major brake overhaul

Brake fluid inside the wheel cylinder boots is a sign that the wheel cylinder is worn and leaking - a bad thing.

Explanation

Brake fluid inside the wheel cylinder boots is a sign that the wheel cylinder is worn and leaking - a bad thing.

6. Why should you complete the brakes on one side before tackling the second side?

You should always work stage-by-stage on both sides

To avoid putting side-specific parts on the wrong side

So that you can go for a drive halfway through the job

So you have a assembled side for reference when reassembling

It helps to be able to see what a complete assembly looks like, so you can copy it as you assemble the side you are working on.

Explanation

It helps to be able to see what a complete assembly looks like, so you can copy it as you assemble the side you are working on.

7. What lubricants are recommended for reassembling wheel cylinders?

Brake fluid and special rubber lubricant

Brake fluid and clean engine oil

Hydraulic fluid and packing grease

You should never use lubricants while assembling a wheel cylinder

Special lubricants are required because normal oil-based lubricants will destroy critical rubber components in a brake system.

Explanation

Special lubricants are required because normal oil-based lubricants will destroy critical rubber components in a brake system.

8. What is lubricating the backing plate supposed to accomplish?

Get rid of sticky brake pedal

Get rid of brake squeal

Allows the wheel cylinder boots to move freely

Makes pulling the drum off easier the next time

Brake squeal could be caused by metal to metal vibrations, and lubricating the backing plate can help prevent that from happening.

Explanation

Brake squeal could be caused by metal to metal vibrations, and lubricating the backing plate can help prevent that from happening.

9. When removing a drum, is it okay to loosen the drum with a hammer?

No, never

Yes, provided you do not hit the wheel studs.

No, you must use the threaded holes to push the drum off

Only if the drum has an integral hub

If the drum has threaded holes, it might be safer to use them to loosen the drum, but a hammer can be quicker, and just as effective.

Explanation

If the drum has threaded holes, it might be safer to use them to loosen the drum, but a hammer can be quicker, and just as effective.

10. Why loosen the bleeder screw before honing/cleaning a wheel cylinder?

To make sure the bleeder screw isn’t seized to the cylinder

To ensure the screw doesn’t stick into the cylinder that you are rebuilding

Both of the above

You should never loosen a bleeder screw

If the bleeder screw is seized and/or breaks in the wheel cylinder, you will need to replace the wheel cylinder, which means you will not need to hone or clean the old wheel cylinder. Think of it as a labor-saving move.

Explanation

If the bleeder screw is seized and/or breaks in the wheel cylinder, you will need to replace the wheel cylinder, which means you will not need to hone or clean the old wheel cylinder. Think of it as a labor-saving move.