What are the symptoms of a malfunctioning hydraulic brake system?

[VonLeila]

Hydraulic brake system malfunction symptoms include: 1. When braking, pressing the brake pedal once does not slow down or stop the vehicle, and pressing it several times in succession yields poor results; 2. During emergency braking, the stopping distance is excessively long. Causes of hydraulic brake system failure: 1. Improper adjustment of the air brake control valve; 2. Incorrect adjustment of the free travel and maximum working air pressure adjustment bolts; 3. Weak balance spring tension, ruptured diaphragm, or use of substandard rubber intake valves; 4. Excessive free travel of the brake pedal or insufficient air pressure in the brake chamber; 5. Excessive clearance between the brake valve intake valve and the core rod, affecting air intake volume; 6. Poor contact between the brake shoe friction lining and the brake drum; 7. Oil contamination or excessive wear of the brake shoe friction lining.

[Joe]

I've been driving this old car for almost ten years. If there's an issue with the hydraulic braking system, the first noticeable symptom is that the brake pedal feels unusually soft and has a much longer travel distance than usual, like stepping on cotton with no resistance, making it impossible to stop the car firmly. I remember one rainy day on the highway when I tried to slow down, the pedal sank all the way, and the braking distance increased significantly, which really scared me. There are often squeaking noises too, like metal grinding, which indicates excessive brake pad wear or sticking. Additionally, the braking force is noticeably insufficient, slowing the car down very gradually, and handling becomes even more unstable during turns. All these signs suggest possible brake fluid leakage, low fluid levels, or air in the system. It's crucial to check the fluid reservoir's color and level immediately and get it fixed right away to avoid accidents.

[MacIker]

I've been lurking on automotive forums for a long time and observed that the core symptom of hydraulic brake failure is a soft, weak brake pedal. When you press it, it feels light and ineffective, significantly reducing braking performance. This is often caused by brake fluid leakage, such as from ruptured lines or aging seals leading to low fluid levels; air bubbles entering the system causing insufficient compression; or a faulty master cylinder affecting pressure transmission. Additionally, braking distance increases noticeably—for example, normally stopping from 50 km/h might take 10 meters, but when failing, it might not stop even in 15 meters. During inspections, I always check if the pedal rebounds normally and whether unusual noises indicate caliper issues. Timely fluid replacement and bleeding can help resolve the problem.

[SophieAnn]

As a novice driver, I personally experienced issues with the hydraulic braking system: the brake pedal felt unusually soft when pressed, lacking the firm and responsive feel it once had, and the car slowed down much more sluggishly with delayed response. When stopping at a red light, I had to press the pedal several times forcefully, which felt unsettling. The pedal position was abnormally low, the travel distance became longer, and occasionally, I heard squeaking noises. A friend suggested it might be due to a brake fluid leak or low fluid level, and I need to drive to the workshop immediately for inspection to avoid potential dangers on the road.