GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Pontiac 🢒 2000 🢒 Firebird 🢒 Brakes 🢒 Hydraulic Brakes 🢒 Brake Pedal Travel

Tools Required

J 28662 Brake Pedal Effort Gauge

One of the following conditions may be the cause of most low brake pedal problems:

    • Air in the brake system. Bleed the system until the air is purged. Refer to Hydraulic Brake System Bleeding .
    • Misadjusted rear drum brakes. Inspect the rear brake adjustment.

The following conditions may be other less frequent causes of excessive brake pedal travel:

    • Incorrect pushrod length
    • Malfunctioning rear brake shoe adjusters
    • Excessively worn pads
    • Brake hydraulic system leakage

One of the following conditions is usually the cause of high brake pedal effort problems:

    • Low engine vacuum
    • Vacuum leak
    • Improperly functioning vacuum booster
  1. Install the J 28662 onto the brake pedal.
  2. Hook the end of the tape measure over the top edge of the pedal.
  3. Measure the distance from the top edge of the pedal to the rim of the steering wheel.
  4. Block the tires and the wheels.
  5. Run the engine at idle.
  6. Put the range selector lever in NEUTRAL.
  7. Apply 445 N (100 lb) of force to the brake pedal.
  8. Remeasure the distance from the top edge of the pedal to the rim of the steering wheel. The difference between both of the readings is the actual brake pedal travel. The brake pedal travel should be between 51-89 mm (2.0-3.5 in).