Brake pedal Is Soft Inspection Cost:
Starting From $80

Brake pedal is soft / spongy Inspection Service

The brake pedal should feel sold and firm when applied, with only minimal travel for the pedal to engage the brakes. Slowing or stopping your car shouldn’t be a difficult task too. Thus, a spongy or soft feel on applying the brake pedal signifies a problem in the braking system.

The brake pedal system:

The brake pedal “feel” depends on the fluid pressure in the brake lines and master cylinder. Once the brake pedal is applied, a signal is sent to the master cylinder to push brake fluid through the lines and into the drums and calipers. From the calipers, the fluid activates a piston that seals the caliper on the rotor and squeezes it between the pads. If drum brakes are present, an actuator is triggered, pushing the shoes outward and against the drum’s inner surface.

Why the brake pedal feels soft:

• Air in the Lines: If the brake lines are filled with air, as occurs when the brake fluid is low in the master cylinder, a spongy feel is created and stopping ability is affected when the pedal is applied. This may occur if an inexperienced mechanic is hired to repair or replace the brake pad. Always verify that air is completely bled from the entire system when carrying out repairs.
• Faulty Caliper: The pedal may feel spongy if the brake caliper is damaged or faulty for some reason. This could occur when the piston seal of the caliper leaks. And it may expose the brake pads and rotor to brake fluid, causing extensive damage.
• Master Cylinder Wear: The older your master cylinder gets, the more likely it is to wear, losing brake fluid as a result. And sure, loss of fluid pressure will cause the brake pedal to feel soft or spongy when applied.
• Damaged Brake Line:There are metal and rubber brake lines in all cars. Over time, these lines may become damaged or crumpled, causing reduced fluid flow. Loss of fluid will also impact the overall pressure. These conditions affect the brake pedal feel, making it soft or spongy.

• Moisture in Brake Fluid: The brake fluid needs to be changed regularly to prevent absorption of moisture. As pores on rubber brake lines may expose the fluid to moisture, the pedal may feel soft or spongy when applied.

Getting started:

If you have brake problems, a good first step would be to hire an expert mechanic. Inspection of the master cylinder, calipers, brake lines and other braking system components will be done. A report will also be generated stating the cost of repairs to be made.

The process:

Your mechanic will carry out a full inspection of the braking system, and this entails looking for leads and likely causes of the problem. Whether entrapment of air or low fluid level is the culprit, an expert will find out what the problem is and proffer the right solution to restore the feel of the brake pedal.

Why this service is important

A spongy brake pedal will not just make driving uncomfortable, but is also a safety risk. Low brake fluid and accumulation of air in the lines are problems that shouldn’t be ignored. As the braking system is arguably the most important for smooth and hassle-free driving, ensure to have a full inspection by a professional mechanic when problems are detected. Our expert mechanics are always ready to help. So book an inspection service with one today if you detect any driving problems