ASE A5 BRAKES PRACTICE TEST -SECTION 1-
HYDRAULIC SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS 2026
A spongy brake pedal may be caused by: - CORRECT ANSWER -Air in the hydraulic system
d-
Air causes a gap in the hydraulic fluid flow because the fluid has to compress the air before it ca
n apply the piston. This delay causes the spongy feel. The other choices do not affect this concern.
This question is not like the others. It 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 y
our 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:
Excessive tire pressure b. Four-
wheel alignment c. Seized caliper piston on the other side d. Steering gear problem -
CORRECT ANSWER -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 maste
r cylinder. Technician A says the quick take up valve must be depressed. Technician B says the brak
es on this vehicle cannot be bled. Who is right? - CORRECT ANSWER -Neither A nor B
-
Both technicians are wrong. The brakes on quick take up systems use the same bleeding procedur
e as those without this valve.
A power assist brake booster push rod that is to short will cause which of the following? -
CORRECT ANSWER -Excessive brake pedal travel
-
A short push rod length will have to travel farther for contact and result in excessive pedal travel.
, This question is not like the others. It has the word EXCEPT. For this question, look for the c
X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2
hoice that could NOT cause the described situation. Read the entire question carefully before c
X2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2
hoosing y our answer. Excessive brake pedal travel with a firm brake pedal can be caused by all
X 2 X2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X
of the follow ing issues, EXCEPT: - CORRECT ANSWER -Low brake fluid level
2 X 2 X 2 X2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2
A low brake fluid level will not cause excessive brake pedal travel and a firm brake pedal. All o
X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2
f th e others will cause excessive brake pedal travel and a firm brake pedal
X 2 X2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2
The master cylinder fluid level is low on a vehicle. Technician A says the cause could be a bra
X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2
ke o ut of adjustment. Technician B says that one of the brake systems has failed. Who is ri
X 2 X2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2
ght? - CORRECT ANSWER -Both A and B
X 2 X2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2
-
Technician A is right because blockage of the compensation ports will not allow the fluid to ret
X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2
urn to the master cylinder reservoir and thereby cause the brakes to remain applied and drag.
X2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X
Excessi
2
ve free travel cause brake lag not drag
X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2
After the replacement of a master cylinder the brakes drag. Technician A says the compensation
X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X
2po rts may be blocked. Technician B says excessive pedal free play could be the cause. Who is right? -
X2 X2 X2 X2 X2 X2 X2 X2 X2 X2 X2 X2 X2 X2 X2 X2 X2 X2 X2
CORRECT ANSWER -
X2 X 2 X 2
Technician A is right because blockage of the compensation ports will not allow the fluid to re
X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2
turn to the master cylinder reservoir and thereby cause the brakes to remain applied and drag.
X2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2
Excessiv e free travel cause brake lag not drag. X2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2
Technician A says a brake fluid leak at the rear of the master cylinder can leak fluid into the m
X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2
aste r cylinder. Technician B says oil leaks can be found by adding a dye to brake fluid that is
X2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2
visible un der ultraviolet or black light. Who is right? - CORRECT ANSWER -Both A and B
X 2 X2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2
A master cylinder has been replaced. In an overall bleeding sequence, which part should be ble
X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2
d fi rst? - CORRECT ANSWER -Master cylinder
X 2 X2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2
The master cylinder is always bled first and the wheels in order from the one farthest from th
X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2
e m aster cylinder.
X 2 X2 X 2
HYDRAULIC SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS 2026
A spongy brake pedal may be caused by: - CORRECT ANSWER -Air in the hydraulic system
d-
Air causes a gap in the hydraulic fluid flow because the fluid has to compress the air before it ca
n apply the piston. This delay causes the spongy feel. The other choices do not affect this concern.
This question is not like the others. It 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 y
our 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:
Excessive tire pressure b. Four-
wheel alignment c. Seized caliper piston on the other side d. Steering gear problem -
CORRECT ANSWER -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 maste
r cylinder. Technician A says the quick take up valve must be depressed. Technician B says the brak
es on this vehicle cannot be bled. Who is right? - CORRECT ANSWER -Neither A nor B
-
Both technicians are wrong. The brakes on quick take up systems use the same bleeding procedur
e as those without this valve.
A power assist brake booster push rod that is to short will cause which of the following? -
CORRECT ANSWER -Excessive brake pedal travel
-
A short push rod length will have to travel farther for contact and result in excessive pedal travel.
, This question is not like the others. It has the word EXCEPT. For this question, look for the c
X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2
hoice that could NOT cause the described situation. Read the entire question carefully before c
X2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2
hoosing y our answer. Excessive brake pedal travel with a firm brake pedal can be caused by all
X 2 X2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X
of the follow ing issues, EXCEPT: - CORRECT ANSWER -Low brake fluid level
2 X 2 X 2 X2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2
A low brake fluid level will not cause excessive brake pedal travel and a firm brake pedal. All o
X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2
f th e others will cause excessive brake pedal travel and a firm brake pedal
X 2 X2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2
The master cylinder fluid level is low on a vehicle. Technician A says the cause could be a bra
X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2
ke o ut of adjustment. Technician B says that one of the brake systems has failed. Who is ri
X 2 X2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2
ght? - CORRECT ANSWER -Both A and B
X 2 X2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2
-
Technician A is right because blockage of the compensation ports will not allow the fluid to ret
X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2
urn to the master cylinder reservoir and thereby cause the brakes to remain applied and drag.
X2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X
Excessi
2
ve free travel cause brake lag not drag
X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2
After the replacement of a master cylinder the brakes drag. Technician A says the compensation
X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X
2po rts may be blocked. Technician B says excessive pedal free play could be the cause. Who is right? -
X2 X2 X2 X2 X2 X2 X2 X2 X2 X2 X2 X2 X2 X2 X2 X2 X2 X2 X2
CORRECT ANSWER -
X2 X 2 X 2
Technician A is right because blockage of the compensation ports will not allow the fluid to re
X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2
turn to the master cylinder reservoir and thereby cause the brakes to remain applied and drag.
X2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2
Excessiv e free travel cause brake lag not drag. X2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2
Technician A says a brake fluid leak at the rear of the master cylinder can leak fluid into the m
X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2
aste r cylinder. Technician B says oil leaks can be found by adding a dye to brake fluid that is
X2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2
visible un der ultraviolet or black light. Who is right? - CORRECT ANSWER -Both A and B
X 2 X2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2
A master cylinder has been replaced. In an overall bleeding sequence, which part should be ble
X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2
d fi rst? - CORRECT ANSWER -Master cylinder
X 2 X2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2
The master cylinder is always bled first and the wheels in order from the one farthest from th
X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2
e m aster cylinder.
X 2 X2 X 2