- Your brakes are essential parts of your vehicle. They help bring it to a safe stop. Consequently, when they show signs of malfunction, you should pay close attention. If your brakes have a spongy feel to them, your hydraulic lines might have air in them. Low brake fluid may signify a leak in the system. If you hear scraping noises, examine your brake pads or shoes. Excessive travel in the brake pedal could be a sign of worn brake lines.
- If you perceive sponginess in the feel of your brakes, it could indicate the presence of air in the brake lines. It's time to bleed the lines. Bleeding is the process of letting air out of your vehicle's braking system. As the Classic Performance website notes, the way to start this procedure is to raise the end of the car you wish to bleed. This will allow trapped air in your system to rise toward the bleeding screw. For bleeding from places such as brake caliper walls, you may want to lightly tap the caliper with a hammer. Additionally, according to the website, you should lock all of your wheels at the same time. This will prevent fluid leakage in the bleeding process. Use vice grips to do this, but use them carefully. Do not overtighten, as this could damage your brake lines.
- A low level in the brake fluid reservoir could be the symptom of a serious problem, according to the AA1Car website. A system leak could damage your entire brake system and lead to an accident. Check your calipers, your brake hoses, your master cylinder and your lines to find the culprit. Replace any one of these parts before driving the vehicle again.
- Scraping is usually a symptom of metal-to-metal contact due to compromised disc brakes, or shoes. According to the Aa1Car website, it is a sign that your car is "overdue for a brake job." This is indeed a dangerous situation because, if your brake pads are low and their rivets are scraping the rotors, it would take longer to stop. Do not drive until you or your mechanic has rectified the situation. You might have to have your rotors or drums resurfaced or replaced if they are damaged.
- Excessive travel in your brake pedal could be due to worn brake linings in the front or rear brakes, or both, the Aa1Car website states. Maladjusted drum brakes, or air in the brake lines, can also lead to this problem. The potential for danger lies in the possibility that the pedal could run out of travel before you fully apply your brake. To offset this risk, the Aa1car website advises pumping the pedal when you apply the brakes. For a long-term cure, however, bleed your brake lines and readjust your drum brake.
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