What are the causes of insufficient braking force
2 Answers
Here are the reasons for insufficient braking force in vehicles: 1. Oil braking: For oil-brake vehicles, insufficient brake oil pressure is mainly caused by lack of oil in the brake master cylinder, brake line rupture, oil pipe joint leakage, or blocked oil lines. Additionally, the presence of air in the oil-brake system increases resistance during braking, affecting braking force. 2. Air braking: For air-brake vehicles, insufficient air pressure is primarily due to inadequate air supply from the compressor, or leaks in the brake chamber, air reservoir, or brake lines. 3. Other brake components: Excessive free travel of the brake pedal or excessive brake clearance, poor contact of the brake shoe friction lining, weak pedal return spring, severe wear or oil contamination; wear or scoring of the brake master cylinder, wheel cylinder pistons and cylinder tubes, or aging and damage of rubber cups.
Last time when I was driving downhill, I felt the braking force was insufficient. I had to press the pedal all the way down to barely slow down, which gave me a cold sweat. After checking at the repair shop, it was found that the brake pads were worn too thin, reducing the friction coefficient and causing weak braking force. At the same time, the brake fluid was insufficient, possibly due to aging pipes with small leaks, allowing air to mix into the system and making the pressure transmission unstable. It is recommended to check the brake fluid reservoir level weekly. If it is below the minimum line or the color turns black, it should be replaced. If you hear squeaking sounds when braking, don't ignore it—replace the pads immediately. If such problems are not resolved, the risk of accidents on the highway is high. I have developed a habit of inspecting the brake system monthly, and now I feel much more at ease.
