| Your vehicle's brake system follows a relatively simple | | | | press against the rotor. Alignment problems can also |
| design. When you press down on the pedal to stop | | | | cause a vibrations. |
| your car, the master cylinder displaces brake fluid to | | | | More problematic are issues related to your |
| the calipers. The calipers, in turn, engage the pads | | | | suspension system. The tie rod ends may become |
| against the rotors, which ultimately slows your vehicle | | | | severely worn, the bearings might go bad, or your |
| and brings it to a stop. | | | | steering rack may fail. Each has the potential to cause |
| Despite its simplicity, this system can malfunction - and | | | | vibrations in your brake pedal. |
| even fail - in several ways. Fortunately, there are | | | | Suspension systems are difficult to troubleshoot |
| distinct signs that suggest a problem exists. If you're | | | | without the proper equipment and expertise; if you |
| familiar with these signs, you can easily recognize | | | | suspect this might be the culprit, it's worth having a |
| them when they appear, and have the underlying issue | | | | mechanic diagnose the issue. |
| fixed. Below, we'll describe several indications that | | | | Residual Drag On The Brakes |
| imply your brakes are in desperate need of an | | | | When you remove your foot from the pedal, it should |
| inspection. | | | | return to its normal position on its own. If it drags, it |
| Spongy Or Squishy Pedal | | | | could cause your pads to wear down prematurely. |
| When you press down on the pedal, you might notice | | | | Depending on the extent of the friction created by the |
| a spongy sensation. Your brakes still work, but they're | | | | drag, your brakes can also overheat. |
| less effective in stopping your vehicle. It takes more | | | | This problem is often due to the wheel cylinder. The |
| time to bring your car to a complete stop. This can be | | | | cylinder malfunctions and fails to release pressure, |
| dangerous if you neglect to plan your stops | | | | which causes the brakes to engage - and the pedal to |
| accordingly. | | | | drag - even after you have removed your foot. |
| A spongy pedal is almost always due to air within the | | | | Squealing, Scraping, Or Grinding |
| lines. Air is compressible while brake fluid is not. When | | | | Squealing is the result of vibrations that occur between |
| air enters the lines, it dramatically lowers the efficiency | | | | your brake pads and calipers. These vibrations can |
| of your braking system. The solution is to bleed the | | | | happen for several reasons. For example, the pads |
| lines and remove the air. | | | | might be loose, the caliper attachments may be |
| Pedal Descends To The Floorboard | | | | deteriorating, or the brake linings might have worn |
| If the pedal goes to the floorboard, it either means | | | | down. Usually, the problem can be resolved by |
| something is wrong with your master cylinder or a leak | | | | smoothing the rotor or installing replacement pads. If |
| has developed in the hydraulic system. In both cases, | | | | the pads are in good condition, installing anti-rattle clips |
| your brakes will be unable to hold any pressure. If you | | | | may also prove effective. |
| remove your foot and quickly step on the pedal again, | | | | If you hear scraping or grinding, that means metal is |
| it will rise to its normal level. | | | | rubbing against metal. This can happen when the lining |
| A lack of pressure is obviously dangerous and needs | | | | wears down to the point a metal piece of the pad is |
| to be resolved as quickly as possible. If the problem is | | | | exposed. This metal piece rubs against the rotor and |
| with the master cylinder, your mechanic will likely | | | | can quickly damage it. You'll need to replace the pads |
| replace the component rather than attempting to fix it. | | | | and have the rotor machined. |
| Vibrating Pedal | | | | Regardless of the type of problem you're noticing with |
| Diagnosing pedal vibrations is challenging because the | | | | your braking system, have the root cause identified |
| root cause might be one of several things. For | | | | and fixed as soon as possible. These issues worsen |
| example, if oil has somehow reached the pads on one | | | | with time - often, quickly. The sooner you address |
| of your wheels, it can cause vibrations when they | | | | them, the less expensive they'll be to repair. |