5 Things To Know About Common Brake System Problems

July 12, 2019

It's important to be able to brake. If your car can't, it could end up in the lake! That's a risk you simply can't take. Fortunately, Subaru brake service and maintenance is a piece of cake for our factory-trained technicians at Capitol Subaru in Salem, OR.

But how do you know which brake thing is broken or not working right? Listen to the sounds of your car as its going. We'll tell you on this page what you need to know about how your brakes work and what makes them go. These five common issues can keep your brakes from working. Visit Capitol Subaru if your brakes are squeaking, shaking or jerking!

5. Experiencing Brake Fade? Might Need Fresh Brake Fluid

"Brake Fade" is the phenomenon where stopping power comes on strong when you brake hard, like you would expect -- but, within a few moments, the brake pedal begins to feel mushy and stopping power quickly fades away. This can create a dangerous situation because your car can't stop as quickly as possible in the event of an emergency stop.

This is typically caused by brake fluid boiling from excess heat generated under the pressure of hard braking. The fluid boils in the lines and -- since a gas can be compressed more than a fluid -- the system won't put as much pressure on the brakes. Fresh brake fluid has a higher boiling point, so brake fade is easily fixed by bleeding the brake lines and adding new fluid.

4. ABS Light On? Might Need New ABS Module

In wet weather, braking too hard can cause your wheels to lock up, sending you into a slide. The ABS system detects that the wheels have locked up, and will rapidly pulse the brake on and off. This allows the wheels to rotate, so you don't skid or slide around. If this system stops working, you could be sent into a skid under heavy braking, especially when it's wet outside.

When the ABS light turns on in your car, it could be alerting you to a wide variety of problems with your car's anti-lock brakes. This sophisticated system needs to be assessed by a factory-trained mechanic. Some of the more common reasons for an ABS light to come on include the system's module or a wheel speed sensor.

3. Brake Pedal Sinking To The Floor? Might Need New Brake Master Cylinder

When you press your car's brake pedal, a brake booster and brake master cylinder under the hood work together to translate the motion of the pedal into pressure at the brakes. But, if the brake system is losing pressure, due to a leaking master cylinder or a failed brake booster, the pedal may simply sink all the way to the floor when you press it. Naturally, this means you won't be able to stop your car safely, so you'll want to have your car towed to an authorized Subaru dealership service department.

 

2. Car Shaking When You Brake? Might Need New Brake Rotors

Over time, your car's brake rotors can warp and deform. They start out as perfectly flat, round discs, but damage from road debris, brake lining build-up and even heat can cause brake rotors to subtly change shape. When you brake, the brake pads will clamp down on the spinning brake rotors to slow down your car. If your car shakes and shudders when you brake, it could be because your car's brake rotors have become damaged. As the brake pads pass over the imperfections on the rotors, it'll cause vibrations that you'll be able to feel in the cabin or at the brake pedal. To fix this, you'll want to have new brake rotors installed.