How to Check Brake System Pressure

Typical full-lock operating pressures on conventional OEM-style automotive hydraulic-brake systems are 900–1,000 psi with manual brakes and 1,400-plus psi with power-assisted brakes. To check the pressure, you'll need a simple brake-pressure gauge. They're sold by several sources, including Lamb (PN 882) and Wilwood (PN 260-0966). Use the gauge to check pressure at each caliper or drum and at each master-cylinder outlet port. (Deactivate or bypass any proportioning valve or ABS computer.) If the pressure is much lower at one or more wheels than it is up at the master cylinder, the problem is in the lines or at the calipers and drums. If there's high pressure everywhere but the brakes don't lock up, the master cylinder and calipers or drums are mismatched or incompatible. If pressure is low everywhere, look at the master cylinder, the power-assist unit (if applicable), or brake pedal

An inexpensive pressure gauge that screws directly into the master-cylinder outlet ports and caliper or drum-brake slave-cylinder bleeder-screw ports is a great brake-system diagnostic aid. This is the brake pressure with the Roll Control engaged on a drag car.

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Sources:

Lamb Components Inc.

909.985.1901

LambComponents.com

Wilwood Engineering Inc.

805.388.1188

Wilwood.com

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