Why is the car's brake pedal very hard?
2 Answers
Sudden hardening of the brake pedal is generally caused by issues with the brake booster pump, foreign objects adhering to the brake pads or calipers, or intervention of the vehicle's ABS system. If this situation occurs while driving, do not panic. The first thing to do is to release the accelerator to slow down and try pressing the brake pedal several times to see if braking force can be restored. Below are the relevant explanations: 1. Issues with the brake booster pump: If the car's brake pedal suddenly becomes hard while driving, it may be due to air leakage or blockage in the vacuum tube of the brake booster pump. In this case, stop the car immediately for inspection and replace the part if necessary. If the brake pedal suddenly becomes hard after the engine is turned off, it is usually because the brake pedal was pressed continuously after the engine was turned off, causing the vacuum force of the brake booster pump to be exhausted. This situation can be resolved by starting the engine to allow the brake booster pump to work again. 2. Intervention of the vehicle's ABS system: When the vehicle brakes sharply, the ABS system intervenes in the car's braking system to prevent the wheels from locking up and losing control, which can cause accidents. This intervention causes the brake pedal to have a rebound effect. This is a normal phenomenon, and gently pressing the brake pedal again will restore it.
This brake is ridiculously stiff! I encountered this situation when I was just starting to drive—the brake pedal was as heavy as a rock, requiring full body strength to press. The most common cause is a faulty vacuum booster, which relies on engine vacuum to assist your braking. If there's a leak or the seal fails, there's no assistance at all. Other possibilities include insufficient or leaking brake fluid, such as a leaking reservoir or air bubbles in the lines, which can render the braking system ineffective. This is no minor issue—imagine how dangerous it would be to lose brakes on the highway. The last time I faced this, I immediately pulled over and found the booster hose had deteriorated. Replacing it fixed the problem. My advice: don’t keep driving—get it checked by a professional. Regular maintenance, like monitoring brake fluid condition, can prevent sudden failures. Remember, safety first—small issues can escalate into major accidents.