What’s Wrong With My Brakes?

Brake Pedal too Firm.
If you step on the brake pedal and all of a sudden it feels like you’re doing leg presses at the gym with a new personal trainer, your brake pedal may be too firm. This symptom is pointing to a few potential problems, all of which need to be fixed as soon as possible.
Vacuum Problems: Your brakes are easier to press because of a brake booster that gives your foot the strength of 10 men. This booster uses vacuum to help you activate the brakes. If there is a vacuum leak somewhere in the system, it won’t have enough negative pressure to do its job. Check the vacuum system for leaks. If you find none, your brake booster is probably bad and will need to be replaced. This can be tested by a shop if you want to be sure.
Brake Line Obstruction: It’s possible for something to block brake fluid from reaching a portion of the system. This could be something in the line like a chunk of rust, or it could be a pinched brake line. Visually inspect the brake lines and replace damaged brake lines as needed.
Brake Pedal Goes To Floor.
If you step on the brake pedal and it has little to no pressure and goes all the way to the floor, especially if you’re getting no braking:
Low Brake Fluid Level: Check your brake fluid. If it’s low, top it off to the mark on the side of the reservoir.
Air in the Brake Fluid: Even though your brakes operate in a closed system, contaminants can still work their way into the works. Air can enter the system through the smallest hole. There’s not really any way to check for this, but bleeding your brakes will remove the air and replace it with new fluid.
Master Cylinder Bad: A bad master cylinder will cause your brakes to have no pressure. Master cylinders cannot be repaired and will need to be replaced.
Weak or Spongy Brakes.
Sometimes your brakes will still work, but they seem to have grown weak. It takes longer to stop, or you get less braking power when you apply the brakes suddenly. The pedal may also feel more squishy than usual:
Low Brake Fluid Level: Check your brake fluid. If it’s low, top it off to the mark on the side of the reservoir.
Contaminated Brake Fluid: Even though your brakes operate in a closed system, contaminants can still work their way into the works. Air can enter the system through the smallest hole, and you can end up with water in the system from condensation and other means. There’s not really any way to check for this, but bleeding your brakes will remove the bad stuff and replace it with new fluid.
Worn Brake Pads: Your brakes should never wear low enough to cause your brake pedal to feel low, they’ll scream at you before then. But if they do get very low, you might have this problem. Replace your brake pads as soon as possible. Of course, this can be avoided with regular brake inspection.
Brakes Grabbing or Pulling.
Your brakes should apply themselves smoothly and even when you push the pedal. If they seem to suddenly grab, or if they are pulling the car to one side, you may have one of these problems:
Worn or Bad Brake Pads: If your brakes are much worn, or if they have become contaminated or are otherwise bad, you’ll need to replace your brake pads.
Bad Brake Disc: Inspect your brake discs. If one or both are bad, they can cause your brakes to grab suddenly or unevenly. You’ll need to replace your brake discs. They should always be done in pairs, so don’t try to skimp.
Pedal Vibration.
If you step on the pedal and feel a vibration, you’re in for some troubleshooting. There are lots of things which can cause the pedal to vibrate when you apply the brakes. Remember, if your car is equipped with ABS (most are these days), the pedal will seem to vibrate when you brake very, very hard. The system does this to keep them from locking up. This is normal. Otherwise, check these causes:
Bad Brake Pads: If your pads have become contaminated with oil or another substance, they can vibrate as they grip the brake rotor. You’ll need to replace your brake pads.
Bad Brake Disc: Inspect your brake discs. If one or both are bad, they can cause your brakes to grab suddenly or unevenly. You’ll need to replace your brake discs. They should always be done in pairs, so don’t try to skimp.
Car Out of Alignment: If your car is out of alignment, this can cause your front end to wiggle madly, causing a vibration. Get an alignment.
Worn Front Suspension: Any number of worn suspension parts can cause vibrations. Worn ball joints, a bad steering rack, worn tie rod ends, a bad wheel bearing or upper strut bearing, and even a bad front strut could cause it. Start checking.
Brakes Dragging.
Your brakes should let go immediately as you take your foot off the pedal. If they don’t, this can cause brake overheating as well as premature wear to brake parts. Check these potential problems:
Bad Wheel Cylinder: A bad wheel cylinder may not relax and release its pressure. A stuck wheel cylinder will cause the brakes to remain on, even slightly at times. Replace your wheel cylinder.
Parking Brake Fails to Release: If your parking brake doesn’t fully release, your parking brake will be on a little bit all the time. Since it is controlled by a cable, you may need to lubricate the cable ends and the parts associated with the cable. If the cable is still sticking, it may be frayed inside and will need to be replaced.
Brakes Squealing or Whining.
Brakes make those high pitched noises for a few reasons, some of which are no big deal at all:
Worn Brake Pads: When your brakes are worn and need replacing, they are designed to let you know by giving you some loud squeaks when you apply the brakes. Replace your brake pads.
Brake Pads Vibrating: Your brake pads are installed with a little metal gasket between the brake pad and the piston. This gasket absorbs the vibrations that can increase in frequency to the point of squealing. If they are missing, replace them. There are also special anti-squeal lubricants you can apply to shut them up.
Brakes Make a Clunking Sound.
Sounds that go “clunk” are generally not good sounds. This is true for brakes. A clunk means something down there needs to be fixed:
Something is Loose: If any of the bolts that hold your brakes together or attach them to the suspension are loose, the brakes will clunk as they shift slightly when you apply the brakes. Inspect your bolts and nuts to be sure everything is tight.
Worn or Broken Suspension Components: Any number of worn suspension parts can cause vibrations. Worn ball joints, a bad steering rack, worn tie rod ends, a bad wheel bearing or upper strut bearing, and even a bad front strut could cause it. Start checking.