Firebird V8-305 5.0L (1982)
Brake Master Cylinder: Description and Operation
Diagonally Split Systems
Schematic diagram of a typical hydraulic diagonally split brake system
This system operates on the same principles as conventional front and rear split systems using primary and secondary master cylinder pistons moving
simultaneously to exert hydraulic pressure on their respective systems.
The hydraulic brake lines on this system, however, have been diagonally split front to rear (left front to right rear and right front to left rear) in place of
separate lines to the front and rear wheels, Fig. 3.
In the event of a system failure this would cause the remaining good system to do all the braking on one front wheel and the opposite rear wheel, thus
maintaining 50% of the total braking force. The hydraulic pressure loss would result in a pressure differential in the system and cause a warning lamp on
the dashboard to glow as in front and rear split systems.
