MICHIGAN STATE BRAKES CERTIFICATION EXAM
PREPARATION 200 EXAM QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
AND RATIONALES
1. Most 1995 and newer vehicles use which type of wheel bearings on
non-drive wheels?
A) Tapered roller bearings
B) Sealed non-serviceable bearings
C) Serviceable ball bearings
D) Adjustable roller bearings
Correct Answer: B - Sealed non-serviceable bearings. These units are
manufactured as a complete assembly and cannot be serviced or
repacked with grease. When they fail, the entire hub assembly must be
replaced.
2. When testing a vacuum power brake booster in the vehicle, you
pump the brake pedal at least 4 times, hold the pedal depressed, and
start the engine. What should the brake pedal do?
A) Rise up and become harder
B) Drop slightly and remain firm
C) Pulse rapidly
D) Go to the floor
,Correct Answer: B - Drop slightly and remain firm. This indicates the
vacuum booster is functioning properly, as engine vacuum assists the
diaphragm and reduces pedal effort.
3. When installing brake shoe linings of different lengths, where is the
primary shoe lining traditionally positioned?
A) Larger and goes towards the rear
B) Smaller and goes towards the front
C) Larger and goes towards the front
D) Equal length shoes on all positions
Correct Answer: B - Smaller and goes towards the front. The primary
shoe (smaller lining) faces forward, while the secondary shoe (larger
lining) faces rearward in most drum brake designs.
4. A cracked vacuum diaphragm in a brake power booster would most
likely cause:
A) Spongy pedal feel
B) Complete brake failure
C) Hard pedal feel requiring very high pedal effort
D) Brake drag
Correct Answer: C - Hard pedal feel requiring very high pedal effort.
Without the vacuum assist provided by an intact diaphragm, the driver
must apply significantly more force to stop the vehicle.
,5. A mechanic finds gear lube inside both rear brake drums on a rear-
wheel drive vehicle. What is the most likely cause?
A) Overfilled brake fluid reservoir
B) Worn wheel cylinder seals
C) Plugged axle vent
D) Damaged brake hose
Correct Answer: C - Plugged axle vent. When the axle vent becomes
blocked, pressure builds inside the axle housing, forcing gear lube past
the axle seals and into the brake drums.
6. Which incorrect service procedure will cause brake lock-up?
A) Master cylinder push rod adjusted too long
B) Master cylinder push rod adjusted too short
C) Improper bleeding sequence
D) Incorrect lining material
Correct Answer: A - Master cylinder push rod adjusted too long. This
prevents the master cylinder piston from fully returning, maintaining
pressure in the brake system and causing the brakes to lock or drag.
7. What is the proper way to depressurize an ABS system?
A) Disconnect the battery
B) Pump the brake pedal at least 25 times with ignition off
C) Open all bleeder screws simultaneously
D) Drive the vehicle and engage ABS
, Correct Answer: B - Pump the brake pedal at least 25 times with
ignition off. This releases the accumulated pressure from the
accumulator in the ABS system before servicing.
8. Rear brakes are dragging after new linings installation and drum
machining. What is the most likely cause?
A) Improper break-in procedure
B) Technician used parking brake to adjust shoes and cable is stuck
C) Wrong brake fluid type
D) Worn wheel cylinder
Correct Answer: B - Technician used parking brake to adjust shoes and
cable is stuck. When the parking brake cable sticks, it holds the brake
shoes against the drum, causing drag.
9. When turning brake drums, what should be used to reduce chatter?
A) High-speed setting
B) Dampening strap
C) Coolant spray
D) Heavy cutting tool
Correct Answer: B - Dampening strap. This strap wraps around the
drum during machining to absorb vibrations and prevent chatter marks
on the finished surface.
10. Which measurement is NOT necessary when inspecting drum
brakes?
PREPARATION 200 EXAM QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
AND RATIONALES
1. Most 1995 and newer vehicles use which type of wheel bearings on
non-drive wheels?
A) Tapered roller bearings
B) Sealed non-serviceable bearings
C) Serviceable ball bearings
D) Adjustable roller bearings
Correct Answer: B - Sealed non-serviceable bearings. These units are
manufactured as a complete assembly and cannot be serviced or
repacked with grease. When they fail, the entire hub assembly must be
replaced.
2. When testing a vacuum power brake booster in the vehicle, you
pump the brake pedal at least 4 times, hold the pedal depressed, and
start the engine. What should the brake pedal do?
A) Rise up and become harder
B) Drop slightly and remain firm
C) Pulse rapidly
D) Go to the floor
,Correct Answer: B - Drop slightly and remain firm. This indicates the
vacuum booster is functioning properly, as engine vacuum assists the
diaphragm and reduces pedal effort.
3. When installing brake shoe linings of different lengths, where is the
primary shoe lining traditionally positioned?
A) Larger and goes towards the rear
B) Smaller and goes towards the front
C) Larger and goes towards the front
D) Equal length shoes on all positions
Correct Answer: B - Smaller and goes towards the front. The primary
shoe (smaller lining) faces forward, while the secondary shoe (larger
lining) faces rearward in most drum brake designs.
4. A cracked vacuum diaphragm in a brake power booster would most
likely cause:
A) Spongy pedal feel
B) Complete brake failure
C) Hard pedal feel requiring very high pedal effort
D) Brake drag
Correct Answer: C - Hard pedal feel requiring very high pedal effort.
Without the vacuum assist provided by an intact diaphragm, the driver
must apply significantly more force to stop the vehicle.
,5. A mechanic finds gear lube inside both rear brake drums on a rear-
wheel drive vehicle. What is the most likely cause?
A) Overfilled brake fluid reservoir
B) Worn wheel cylinder seals
C) Plugged axle vent
D) Damaged brake hose
Correct Answer: C - Plugged axle vent. When the axle vent becomes
blocked, pressure builds inside the axle housing, forcing gear lube past
the axle seals and into the brake drums.
6. Which incorrect service procedure will cause brake lock-up?
A) Master cylinder push rod adjusted too long
B) Master cylinder push rod adjusted too short
C) Improper bleeding sequence
D) Incorrect lining material
Correct Answer: A - Master cylinder push rod adjusted too long. This
prevents the master cylinder piston from fully returning, maintaining
pressure in the brake system and causing the brakes to lock or drag.
7. What is the proper way to depressurize an ABS system?
A) Disconnect the battery
B) Pump the brake pedal at least 25 times with ignition off
C) Open all bleeder screws simultaneously
D) Drive the vehicle and engage ABS
, Correct Answer: B - Pump the brake pedal at least 25 times with
ignition off. This releases the accumulated pressure from the
accumulator in the ABS system before servicing.
8. Rear brakes are dragging after new linings installation and drum
machining. What is the most likely cause?
A) Improper break-in procedure
B) Technician used parking brake to adjust shoes and cable is stuck
C) Wrong brake fluid type
D) Worn wheel cylinder
Correct Answer: B - Technician used parking brake to adjust shoes and
cable is stuck. When the parking brake cable sticks, it holds the brake
shoes against the drum, causing drag.
9. When turning brake drums, what should be used to reduce chatter?
A) High-speed setting
B) Dampening strap
C) Coolant spray
D) Heavy cutting tool
Correct Answer: B - Dampening strap. This strap wraps around the
drum during machining to absorb vibrations and prevent chatter marks
on the finished surface.
10. Which measurement is NOT necessary when inspecting drum
brakes?
