
GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 48
BRAKES 
 
BASIC OPERATING PRINCIPLES 
Hydraulic systems are used to actuate t he brakes of all modern automobiles. 
The system transports the power required to  force the frictional surfaces of the 
braking system together from  the pedal to the individual brake units at each 
wheel. A hydraulic system is used for two reasons.  
First, fluid under pressure can be carried to  all parts of an automobile by small 
pipes and flexible hoses without taking  up a significant amount of room or 
posing routing problems.  
Second, a great mechanical advantage can  be given to the brake pedal end of 
the system, and the foot pressure requi red to actuate the brakes can be 
reduced by making the surface area of t he master cylinder pistons smaller than 
that of any of the pistons in t he wheel cylinders or calipers.  
The master cylinder consists of a flui d reservoir along with a double cylinder 
and piston assembly. Double type master cylinders are designed to separate 
the front and rear braking systems hydraulic ally in case of a leak. The master 
cylinder coverts mechanical motion from t he pedal into hydraulic pressure within 
the lines. This pressure is translated back into mechanical motion at th\
e wheels 
by either the wheel cylinder (drum brak es) or the caliper (disc brakes).  
Steel lines carry the brake fluid to a po int on the vehicle's frame near each of 
the vehicle's wheels. The fluid is then ca rried to the calipers and wheel cylinders 
by flexible tubes in order to allow  for suspension and steering movements.  
In drum brake systems, each wheel cylinde r contains two pistons, one at either 
end, which push outward in opposite direct ions and force the brake shoe into 
contact with the drum.  
In disc brake systems, the cylinders ar e part of the calipers. At least one 
cylinder in each caliper is used to fo rce the brake pads against the disc.  
All pistons employ some type of seal, us ually made of rubber, to minimize fluid 
leakage. A rubber dust boot  seals the outer end of the cylinder against dust and 
dirt. The boot fits around the outer end of  the piston on disc brake calipers, and 
around the brake actuating  rod on wheel cylinders.  
The hydraulic system operates as follows : When at rest, the entire system, from 
the piston(s) in the master cylinder to t hose in the wheel cylinders or calipers, is 
full of brake fluid. Upon app lication of the brake pedal, fluid trapped in front of 
the master cylinder piston(s) is forced  through the lines to the wheel cylinders. 
Here, it forces the pistons outward, in  the case of drum brakes, and inward 
toward the disc, in the case of disc  brakes. The motion of the pistons is 
opposed by return springs mounted outside  the cylinders in drum brakes, and 
by spring seals, in disc brakes.   

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 50
DISC BRAKES  
Instead of the traditional ex
panding brakes that press out ward against a circular 
drum, disc brake systems utilize a disc  (rotor) with brake pads positioned on 
either side of it. An easily-seen analog y is the hand brake arrangement on a 
bicycle. The pads squeeze onto the rim of  the bike wheel, slowing its motion. 
Automobile disc brakes use the identical  principle but apply the braking effort to 
a separate disc instead of the wheel.  
The disc (rotor) is a casting, usually eq uipped with cooling fins between the two 
braking surfaces. This enables air to ci rculate between the braking surfaces 
making them less sensitive to heat bui ldup and more resistant to fade. Dirt and 
water do not drastically affect braking ac tion since contaminants are thrown off 
by the centrifugal action of the rotor or  scraped off the by the pads. Also, the 
equal clamping action of the two brake pad s tends to ensure uniform, straight 
line stops. Disc brakes are inherently se lf-adjusting. There are three general 
types of disc brake:  
1.  A fixed caliper.  
2.  A floating caliper.  
3.  A sliding caliper.  
The fixed caliper design uses  two pistons mounted on either side of the rotor (in 
each side of the caliper). The caliper  is mounted rigidly and does not move.  
The sliding and floating designs are quite  similar. In fact, these two types are 
often lumped together. In  both designs, the pad on the inside of the rotor is 
moved into contact with the rotor by hy draulic force. The caliper, which is not 
held in a fixed position, moves slightly,  bringing the outside pad into contact with 
the rotor. There are various methods of  attaching floating calipers. Some pivot 
at the bottom or top, and some slide on  mounting bolts. In any event, the end 
result is the same.  
DRUM BRAKES  
Drum brakes employ two  brake shoes mounted on a st ationary backing plate. 
These shoes are positioned inside a circul ar drum which rotates with the wheel 
assembly. The shoes are held in place by springs. This allows them to slide 
toward the drums (when they are applied)  while keeping the linings and drums 
in alignment. The shoes are actuated by  a wheel cylinder which is mounted at 
the top of the backing plat e. When the brakes are app lied, hydraulic pressure 
forces the wheel cylinder's actuating  links outward. Since these links bear 
directly against the top of the brake s hoes, the tops of the shoes are then forced 
against the inner side of the drum. This  action forces the bottoms of the two 
shoes to contact the brake drum by rotati ng the entire assembly slightly (known 
as servo action). When pressure within  the wheel cylinder is relaxed, return 
springs pull the shoes back away from the drum.  
Most modern drum brakes are designed  to self-adjust themselves during 
application when the vehicle is moving in  reverse. This motion causes both  

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 337
7.  Use a suitable tool to remove the pinion seal.  
To install:   8.  Inspect the sealing surfaces of  the pinion yoke for nicks or damage and 
replace, as necessary. Examine the  carrier bore and remove any burrs 
that may cause leaks around  the outside of the seal.  
 
Fig. 3: Seal installation 
9.  Install the seal using a suitable installer.  
10. Apply a seal lubricant  to the outer diameter of the pinion flange and the 
sealing lip of the new seal.  
11. Install the pinion yoke  on the drive pinion by taping with a soft-face 
hammer until a few pinion threads project through the pinion yoke.  
12. Install the washer an d pinion flange nut. While hol ding the pinion yoke, 
tighten the nut to the same positi on as marked earlier, then tighten an 
additional 
1/16 in. (1.6mm) turn beyond the marks.  
13. Install the driveshaft.  
14. Install the rear wheels and tires.  Check and add the correct lubricant, as 
necessary.  
BORG-WARNER REAR AXLE   1.  Raise and safely support the vehicle.  
2.  Remove both rear wheel and tire assemblies.  
3.  Matchmark the driveshaft and pinion  yoke so they may be reassembled 
in the same position. Remove the driveshaft.  
4.  Using a beam-type inch pound to rque wrench on the pinion yoke nut, 
measure and record the amount of pi nion bearing, axle bearings and