What Causes the Brake Pedal to Slowly Sink Due to ABS?
2 Answers
ABS causing the brake pedal to slowly sink can be attributed to the following reasons: 1. Brake system leakage, with air entering the brake system. The brake system utilizes brake fluid to transmit pressure to the brake calipers (wheel cylinders) to achieve braking on all four wheels. When there is leakage in the brake system, air can enter. Additionally, failure to follow the proper bleeding procedure when replacing brake fluid may leave small amounts of air trapped inside the system. 2. Brake caliper (wheel cylinder) corrosion leading to poor retraction, excessive gap between brake discs and pads, and wear on the master cylinder piston can all cause the brake pedal to slowly sink.
Last time I was driving in the rain and had to brake hard, the pedal suddenly started sinking slowly, which really startled me. Later I learned that was the ABS system working normally. ABS stands for Anti-lock Braking System, which prevents wheel lock-up and skidding by automatically adjusting brake pressure, causing the hydraulic pump to alternately increase and decrease pressure - that's why you feel the pedal pulsating or sinking. This isn't a malfunction, but rather the system helping you stop more steadily. However, if this happens frequently or occurs when not braking on slippery surfaces, you should be cautious. Issues like brake fluid leaks, master cylinder problems, or aging brake lines could cause abnormal pedal sinking. I recommend regularly checking brake fluid levels and having professionals inspect the hydraulic system. Safe driving should always come first - don't neglect routine maintenance.
