Brake Repair - Everything You Need To Know About Fluid

Have you included fluid top ups and flushes with your regular brake repair and maintenance routine? The fluid inside your lines can become contaminated or low, which can cause braking problems. Common signs of fluid issues include a pedal that hits the floor with little resistance, a pedal that is stuck, and weakened stopping power. Uncontaminated fluid is crucial for safety, so it is important to monitor the performance and levels regularly for any problems.


Topping up is not always the answer. Before you add more fluid, ask yourself why the car is low in the first place. Disc pads, for one, will begin to require more fluid as they wear down, which will mean replacement is imminent. Instead of just filling it up, you should first replace these pads. If the pads are still in good condition, then the next likely reason for low fluid levels is a leak in the lines. If your pedals have been getting mushy, this is probably the cause. To identify the source of the leak, monitor your car when it is parked. You should eventually see a drip or two coming directly from the hole in the line. If the liquid puddles closer towards the driver's area of the car as opposed to the wheels, the problem may be located in the master cylinder. If you have little experience fixing cars, bring it in for professional brake repair.

A pedal that is stuck could signify a blockage in the lines. The fluid acts as the braking mechanism in the car, and requires full force and pressure in order to slow and stop motion. If there are any obstructions in the way the force can be greatly reduced, which will result in inability to stop or a much greater resistance when depressing the pedal. This is a serious problem, and it is important to have professionals address it immediately. Common blockages include rust particles that have fallen or a kink in the line. If you're driving and the pedal sticks, gently pump them to build up more power. It's also important to quickly sweep below them to ensure an object such as an empty can has not lodged itself below the pedal.

If you find that your pedal hits the floor with little braking power, there may be air in the fluid. Air greatly decreases the force applied behind the fluid, as it needs to be densely packed in order to stop the car. If this is the case, you'll need to bleed the system and refill it with fresh fluid. There are bleeder valves on the calipers of the disc that were designed for just such a purpose. These simply must be released and drained for a few hours, then tightly put back into place before refilling the fluid. Flushes should be a part of your regular maintenance routine regardless of contamination. Consult your owner's manual or have it performed when your pads are replaced, which is generally every two years or 30,000 miles.