Diagnose Brake Problems
Brake problems are nothing to mess around with. Brakes may not be flashiest part of your car, but they’re probably the most important one when it comes to keeping you and people around you safe. Common brake problems can range from a mushy or vibrating pedal to brakes pulling or making grinding sounds. Whatever it is, you need to figure it out and fix it before it becomes a safety hazard.
Here are some common brake problems and causes:
Squeaky Brakes
Sometimes noises are no big deal and sometimes they are. Let’s start with issues that aren’t too big of a deal. If you have squealing or squeaking brake problems, you don’t have to panic. It’s a good bet the causes are one of the following:
- Worn Brake Pads: Brake pads are designed to let you know they need to be replaced by loudly squeaking when you apply the brakes. Don’t ignore the squeaks. Replace.
- Brake Pads Vibrating: There’s a metal gasket between the brake pad and the piston. That gasket absorbs vibrations that can increase in frequency until “squealing.” If the gaskets are missing, replace them. You can also purchase and try special anti-squeal lubricants.
- Worn Hardware: The clips that hold your brake pads wear out along with the pads. Replacing them with every brake job can eliminate noise an additional 50% to 100%.
Brake Pedal Goes To Floor
Not good. If your brake has little or no pressure when you step on it, these things could be the cause:
- Low Brake Fluid: Check your fluid and top it off if it’s low.
- Contaminated Fluid: Air can get in through a tiny hole. Bleed your brakes to remove bad fluid and replace it.
- Bad Booster: Most brake boosters are vacuum controlled, so you’ll need a measurement device to check. If the booster is bad, replace it.
- Bad Master Cylinder: This can’t be repaired. Unfortunately, you’ll need to replace it.
- Worn Brake Pads: Have your brakes been squeaking? Replace your brake pads ASAP.
- Worn Hardware: When your replace your pads, replace the brake hardware that holds them in place. That hardware wears out just as the brake pads do.
Hard Brake Pedal
Do you feel like you’re in the gym doing leg presses when you step on the brake pedal? Check these two brake problems:
- Brake Line: Your brake line may be pinched or have a bit of rust or debris inside. Check it and replace it if needed.
- Brake Booster: Your brakes have a booster vacuum that powers your pedal. Check it for leaks. If you don’t find any, your booster may need replacing. A repair shop can test it to make sure.
Soft Brake Pedal
A hazard. If it takes you too long to stop, check for these brake problems:
- Low Brake Fluid: Check your fluid and top it off if it’s low.
- Contaminated Fluid: Air can get in through a tiny hole. Bleed your brakes to remove bad fluid and replace it.
- Bad Booster: Most brake boosters are vacuum controlled, so you’ll need a measurement device to check. If the booster is bad, replace it.
- Worn Brake Pads: Have your brakes been squeaking? Replace your brake pads ASAP.
- Worn Hardware: When your replace your pads, make sure to replace the brake hardware that holds them in place. The hardware wears out too, and can cause more problems than most people realize.
Steering Wheel Shakes When Braking
There are a lot of reasons your brake pedal/steering wheel could be vibrating when you step on it. If your car is newer, it’s likely equipped with ABS so the pedal will seem to vibrate when you brake hard. This is normal (the system does this to keep your brakes from locking up). Other brake problems could be one of the following:
- Bad Brake Pads: Oil or other substances can contaminate the pads and make them vibrate as they grip the brake rotor. Replace your pads and the hardware that holds it in place.
- Bad Brake Disc: If your brakes are vibrating or grabbing suddenly or unevenly, one or both of your discs could be bad and you’ll need to replace them. Remember to replace your discs in pairs. Don’t be cheap.
- Car Out of Alignment: If your car is out of alignment, the front end can shimmy like crazy, causing a vibration. Get an alignment.
A clunking sound
Any “clunk” you hear coming from your brakes is not good and means something needs to be fixed. Check out these possibilities.
- Something is Loose: You don’t want things to fall apart when you’re stopping. If any bolts that hold your brakes together or attach them to the suspension are loose, the brakes will clunk when you try to stop. Inspect your bolts and nuts to be sure everything is tight.
- Worn or Broken Suspension Components: Worn suspension parts can cause vibrations, which in turn can cause clunking noises. Some things to check include worn ball joints, worn tie rod ends, a bad steering rack, a bad wheel bearing or upper strut bearing, and even a bad front strut. Check and replace if needed.
- Worn or Broken Front Suspension Components: Worn suspension parts can cause vibrations. Some of the things to check include worn ball joints, worn tie rod ends, a bad steering rack, a bad wheel bearing or upper strut bearing, and even a bad front strut. Check and replace if needed.
Car Pulling To One Side
If they aren’t letting go, check the following:
- Worn Brake Hardware: The hardware and clips that hold your brake pads in place could be worn, allowing your pads to drag on your brake rotors. If so, replace the worn hardware.
- Your Parking Brake is On: Your parking brake may be slightly on all the time. Since t’s controlled by a cable, you can first try lubricating the cable and parts connected to it. If this doesn’t fix the problem, the cable may need replacing.
- Bad Wheel Cylinder: If your wheel cylinder is stuck, it will cause the brakes to remain slightly on at various times. You’ll need to replace it.
Brake drag
Your brakes should never pull the car to one side or grab unevenly. If they are, check the following:
- Worn or Bad Brake Pads: Your pads could be worn (have they been “screaming?”) or contaminated by oil or another substance. If so, replace them, along with the hardware that holds them in place. (The hardware wears out too.)
- Bad Brake Disc: If your brakes are “grabbing” suddenly or unevenly, one or both of your discs could be bad and you’ll need to replace them. Remember to always replace your discs in pairs.