What Causes Sudden Hardening of the Brakes?
3 Answers
Reasons for sudden hardening of the brakes: 1. Leakage or blockage of the vacuum tube in the brake booster pump; 2. Foreign objects adhering to the brake pads or calipers; 3. The vehicle's ABS system intervenes in the braking system to prevent wheel lock-up and loss of control, which could lead to an accident; 4. Faulty brake light switch, transmission failure, or accelerator pedal malfunction. If you notice the brakes becoming hard while driving, the first thing to do is to release the accelerator to slow down, try pressing the brakes multiple times to see if braking force can be restored. For manual transmission vehicles, downshifting can also help slow down the car, and you can use speed bumps to gradually bring the vehicle to a stop.
Last time I was driving, I encountered a sudden hardening of the brakes, which turned out to be a problem with the vacuum booster. This thing sits next to the engine and helps you save effort when pressing the pedal. If it leaks and loses pressure, the brakes become as heavy as iron. In my case, I found a small crack in the vacuum hose during inspection, which allowed air to leak in and caused the system to fail. It needs to be fixed ASAP, otherwise, you won't have enough force for emergency stops on the highway. I quickly replaced the hose and even got a new booster. Regular maintenance should include checking the vacuum system—pop the hood periodically to look for any signs of leaks.
It's terrifying when the brakes become hard while driving! I once thought it was a natural disaster, but it turned out to be a vacuum system failure. Mainly, if the vacuum booster leaks or the vacuum hose comes off, the pedal becomes as hard as a rock. The first thing is not to panic, downshift to stabilize the car, and find a place to stop. When the vacuum system works normally, it's as light as magic, but if it leaks, everything changes. I remind myself to listen to the engine sound every time I start the car to ensure the vacuum pump is working properly and avoid accidents.
