subject: Diagnosing Problems With Your Brakes [print this page] Most people experience problems with their brakes at one time or another. It can be hard to figure out what is wrong when you face such problems. There are tips to help you troubleshoot the possible brake problems that you are having. This will help you get the problem taken care of as soon as possible. There are nine very common problems that you will find answers to throughout this article.
You may have a time where you feel like your brakes are going too far down to stop. This can often be a sign of low or contaminated brake fluid. If it is low, just top it up. Brake fluid can often be contaminated with air and water. There is no real way to check for this. Most people bleed their brake fluid and replace it with new. You may have worn brake pads, or a bad brake power unit.
You may happen to notice that your brake pedal is too firm. If you feel like you cant push hard enough, it may be vacuum problems. Your brakes have a booster that allows braking to be easy. This system uses a vacuum. If the vacuum has malfunctioned, the brake pedal will take a lot more force. A brake line obstruction could also be the problem. Something may be blocking your brake fluid.
It can be very scary to step on your brakes and realise there is no pressure. Your brakes just go to the floor. This can be caused by many factors. This may be the cause of air in the brake fluid. A bad master cylinder will also cause your brakes to lose pressure. If your brake fluid is low, you can lose pressure very quickly.
Brakes will often feel weak. It may take longer to stop. This can come down to some of the problems mentioned above. This is often the cause of low brake fluid, worn brake pads, or contaminated brake fluid.
Sometimes brakes will feel like they are grabbing or pulling. This is usually due to worn brake pads or a bad brake disc. If your brake discs are bad, they will cause your breaks to grab or pull to one side.
You may feel a vibration when braking. This can be caused by many different problems. The problems can include bad brake pads, bad brake discs, worn front suspension, or if your car is out of alignment.
If your brakes dont release as soon as you let your foot off the pedal you could have a bad wheel cylinder. If the cylinder is bad, it wont relax and release pressure. If your cylinder is stuck, the brakes will remain on slightly. Always remember to check your parking brake regularly.
Squeaky brakes are often a sign of worn brake pads. It also may an indication that your brake pads are vibrating. If you hear a clunking noise, it will mean that something is loose. This could be worn or broken suspension parts. If you have any concerns in regards to your brakes, get them checked out by a qualified mechanic as soon as possible.
