How to Troubleshoot Some Common Brake Problems With Your Car

19 February 2016
 Categories: , Blog

The brakes of your car are nothing to ignore even if you think the problems they're having are relatively minor. Small problems with brakes can often lead to something more serious so that you cannot stop your car completely, or the brakes may just suddenly seize up. In some cases you may need to buy some new brake parts and have them installed but in other cases, a fluid leak might be involved. Note a few tips for troubleshooting some common brake problems with your car and then discuss these with a mechanic if they're outside your area of car maintenance expertise.

1. Soft brake pedal


If the fluid is fine, you probably have worn brake pads that aren't gripping the rotors as they should, or a worn caliper. This is the little clip that squeezes the pads into place. These usually need to be replaced once the brakes get soft.

2. Brake pedal too firm

A brake pedal is too firm when it resists your pressure so much that you can actually feel it, like you're working out at the gym. This can be the result of an obstruction in the brake line; if a chunk of rust has gotten into the line, the brake pedal fluid won't flow very easily and the pedal will push back against you.

