What are the causes of intermittent brake failure?
3 Answers
During daily driving, a lack of awareness about brake system maintenance may lead to temporary brake failure due to excessive impurities in the brake master cylinder or poor sealing. Here is relevant information: Brake Pads: Brake pads are components that are frequently replaced during regular driving. Generally, they need to be replaced every 30,000 kilometers, but this is not a fixed mileage—it depends on the driver's habits and driving conditions. If you often overtake or brake frequently during daily driving, the replacement cycle for brake pads will be shorter. Drivers should regularly inspect their brake pads and replace them promptly if abnormal wear is detected. Brake Discs: Brake discs have a relatively long lifespan. Many well-maintained vehicles may not require brake disc replacement, but it is essential to follow proper maintenance methods. If you have just driven at high speeds and the brake discs are still hot, avoid washing the car immediately, as this can shorten the lifespan of the brake discs and may even lead to their complete failure.
Intermittent brake failure, as a veteran driver with over 20 years of experience, I believe the most common causes are insufficient brake fluid or air bubbles in the system. When you suddenly press the brake pedal while driving and there's no response, especially when going downhill on mountainous roads, and the brake feels spongy, it's often due to fluid loss from a leak point or air entering the lines. Once I encountered this issue and found it was caused by a loose pipe connection leaking fluid. If not addressed promptly, it can lead to complete brake failure, which is very dangerous. Therefore, I recommend checking the brake fluid reservoir level before every long trip, keeping it near the full mark. If you notice any oil stains, go to a repair shop immediately for bleeding. Additionally, prolonged use of old brake fluid can absorb moisture, turning it cloudy and affecting pressure transmission, which impacts the entire braking response.
I've been driving a city commuter car for just two years and have encountered intermittent brake failure issues several times, mainly due to uneven brake pad wear or ABS sensor malfunctions. During normal driving, when braking hard, sometimes there's no response, and other times it recovers. After inspection, it was found that the brake pads were too thin, causing unstable contact with the brake discs, coupled with occasional false alarms from the ABS system that paused the braking. This phenomenon is more noticeable in city traffic with frequent stops and starts, where pressing the pedal feels strangely rebounding. Later, I drove the car to a car wash for a simple check and found cracks on the edges of the brake pads. Replacing them solved the issue. I recommend new drivers to regularly check the condition of their brake discs. If you hear friction sounds or feel vibrations, get them inspected immediately to prevent worsening.
