What are the methods to restore soft brakes?
4 Answers
Carefully observe the vehicle. Most cars' brake discs are not worn particularly evenly, and the metal particles are relatively hard, which leads to greater wear. After a few hundred kilometers, the two will wear in to full contact, and the brakes will return to normal. Therefore, after installing new brake pads, you need to press the brake pedal earlier when braking.
I remember once when my car's brakes felt spongy - it was terrifying. The pedal had no resistance when I pressed it, and I almost got into an accident. The most common reasons for spongy brakes are air bubbles in the brake fluid or insufficient fluid level, which could be caused by leaking pipes or improper bleeding. When this happens, the first step is to immediately check the brake fluid level in the reservoir to see if it's below the minimum line. If there are no signs of leakage, try bleeding the air from the system by opening the bleeder valve, though this job is best done with two people. If you can't handle it yourself, don't risk driving further - brake failure would be disastrous. Get to a nearby repair shop immediately and let mechanics use professional tools to check/replace the brake fluid or fix any leaks. Regular brake fluid changes during maintenance can prevent this - never try to save money on this critical safety item. Brake problems are no joke - since that incident, I've made it a habit to check my fluid levels monthly.
As someone who enjoys DIY car repairs, I've dealt with soft brakes several times. It's usually caused by air in the brake system or insufficient brake fluid. The solution is to first check the fluid level in the brake reservoir - if it's low, add new fluid to the standard line. If the problem persists, you'll need to bleed the air. Bleeding isn't difficult - just find an assistant to pump the brake pedal while you loosen the bleeder valve until no air bubbles come out, then tighten it. But this job requires care to avoid spilling fluid, and incomplete bleeding might make things worse. The tools are simple - just a wrench and a bleed bottle. Make sure the fluid is clean without contaminants. If the brakes still feel soft after fluid change, it might indicate worn brake pads or caliper issues - at this point, stop DIY and seek professional repair. Always wear gloves for safety before starting, as it's hazardous work. For inexperienced people, I recommend taking it to a shop rather than experimenting.
My car's brakes have been feeling soft recently, and I'm extremely worried because it's so dangerous, especially on the highway where I don't dare to drive far. After checking, I found that the issue often lies with the brake fluid—if the fluid is low or has air in it, it can weaken the braking force. For now, I can only pull over to check the fluid reservoir. If it's low, I'll carefully drive to the nearest repair shop to top it up and bleed the system. I don't dare to tamper with it myself for fear of making the problem worse. The mechanic said that in mild cases, bleeding the air out can restore performance, but in severe cases, the entire brake line might need replacement. Don't delay on this; timely action is crucial to avoid accidents. After stopping, turning on the hazard lights can prevent rear-end collisions and make things safer.
