What Are the Main Causes of Weak Braking?
2 Answers
The main causes of weak braking in a car include: 1. Insufficient brake fluid. 2. Air in the brake system. 3. Excessive free travel of the brake pedal or excessive brake clearance, poor contact of the brake shoe friction lining, severe wear, or oil contamination. 4. Blockage in the brake system pipelines. The reasons for brake system failure in a vehicle may include the following possibilities: 1. Excessive wear of brake pads: Some brake pads come with a sensor wire. When the wear reaches the limit, the circuit is activated, and the warning light on the dashboard will illuminate. 2. Insufficient brake fluid: A lack of brake fluid is often accompanied by noticeably reduced braking force, and in severe cases, a complete loss of braking power. This issue can be resolved by promptly replenishing the brake fluid.
I often encounter a spongy brake pedal issue, which primarily stems from the brake hydraulic system. The most common cause is insufficient brake fluid—leaking pipelines or worn brake pads can both lead to a drop in fluid levels. Additionally, air bubbles mixed into the brake fluid are particularly dangerous, as they may cause vapor lock after high temperatures or aggressive driving, making the brake pedal feel like stepping on cotton. Don’t forget to inspect the brake master cylinder; aging rubber seals can leak, and seized wheel cylinders can also reduce braking force. If the brake discs develop deep grooves or are contaminated with oil, friction is significantly compromised. This issue is no joke—last week, my neighbor rear-ended someone because of it and ended up spending nearly two thousand on repairs!
