What are the reasons why car brakes sometimes feel very hard?
2 Answers
The reasons why car brakes sometimes feel very hard are: 1. Leakage or failure of the car's vacuum booster pump; 2. The brakes were pressed after the engine was turned off, which is related to the brake booster pump; 3. Lack of necessary maintenance on the brake system, excessive impurities in the brake master cylinder, poor sealing, or failure of the vacuum booster pump; 4. Improper operation leading to mechanical failure. The solutions for hard car brakes are: 1. Restart the engine and try pressing the brake pedal firmly again; 2. While driving, slow down to a stop and try pressing the pedal multiple times to restore braking; 3. If this situation is discovered before driving, the car can be directly sent to an auto repair shop for inspection and repair.
Once when I was driving an older gasoline-powered car for a spin, I suddenly noticed the brake pedal became extremely stiff when pressed, almost causing a rear-end collision with the car ahead. Later at the repair shop, the technician suggested it might be an issue with the vacuum booster. This component relies on engine-generated vacuum to assist braking effort. If there's a leak in the vacuum line or aging seals, vacuum loss occurs, requiring much harder pedal pressure for effective braking. Additionally, repeatedly pressing the brake after engine shutdown can make it stiff as vacuum gradually dissipates. If you notice stiff brakes, never force driving - immediately slow down, pull over safely, and check for hissing sounds indicating vacuum leaks from the booster pump. Prompt repairs ensure road safety; spending a few hundred on parts beats regretting an accident. During routine maintenance, always have technicians inspect the brake system to prevent minor issues from escalating into major hazards.
