What Causes Car Brakes Not to Return to Position?
3 Answers
Here are the reasons why car brakes do not return to position: 1. Air in the brake lines: Brake fluid is the medium for brake system transmission. If there is air in the lines, the brake fluid under high pressure will appear insufficient in force, and although there is still braking force, it is significantly weakened. In this case, the brake system should be bled at a repair shop promptly. 2. Brake fluid not replaced for a long time: Brake fluid is highly hydrophilic and easily absorbs moisture from the air. If not replaced in time, it will contain excessive impurities and moisture, which will affect the transmission of braking force.
There are quite a few reasons why car brakes don't return to position. It could be that the piston in the brake caliper is stuck, especially due to oil contamination or rust, preventing the system from rebounding properly; insufficient brake fluid or air mixed in, affecting hydraulic pressure; clogged or aged brake lines, causing poor fluid flow; severely worn brake pads or foreign objects stuck in them, with failed springs unable to bounce back; or a faulty ABS control unit can also cause this issue. When driving, if you feel the brake pedal is slow to return after being pressed, or the car is sluggish to start, you should be alert. I've experienced brake drag due to rust from rainy weather—the car pulled to one side, fuel consumption increased, and there was a significant safety hazard. It's advisable to immediately seek a professional repair shop for inspection rather than saving money and risking a long-distance drive. Regularly check the brake areas after washing the car to prevent rust and dirt buildup.
I believe that brake failure to return is mainly caused by mechanical faults. The most common issues include brake caliper leakage or piston seizure, such as internal oil seal aging leading to oil leakage; contaminated brake fluid or excessive moisture content, resulting in inflexible system operation; brake hose expansion deformation or partial blockage, affecting the return action; additionally, excessive wear of brake pads or caliper rust causing jamming, and spring fatigue breakage can also cause problems. Occasionally, it might be due to ABS pump control errors. Pay attention to brake response during daily driving. If after parking and releasing the pedal, you feel the car is still dragging, pull over immediately to check. This issue increases the risk of brake pad wear and tire overheating. I once tried simple cleaning of the caliper myself, but ultimately, it's safer to leave it to a professional mechanic, ensuring the use of original factory fluids for replacement and maintenance.
