If everything is ok with your car, your pedal will not go all the way down when you apply brakes.
The brake pedal is sensitive and responds to the pressure accordingly when braking. So, if your brake pedal does not feel firm when depressed and goes all the way down to the floor even when you apply slight pressure, or if it feels mushy, there is a problem.
A brake pedal that sinks all the way to the floor could indicate a problem with the brake master cylinder or it could be due to a brake fluid leak.
In either case, a careful assessment is required – once the issue is accurately diagnosed, you can then go ahead and fix the issue. The only criteria here is to ensure you don’t put if off for long.
Any issues with your braking system can be potentially dangerous for you and other drivers on the road. We strongly advise you consult with a professional Automotive technician if you notice any of the following symptoms with your car.
You certainly don’t want to be the cause of an accident because you failed to fix your car when you had the chance.
What Causes the Brake Pedal to Sink to the Floor?
As mentioned above, there are two main reasons why this could be happening.
First – you have a brake fluid problem on your hands. What this means is that there could be a brake fluid leak in the brake system which in turn is causing a loss in brake fluid pressure.
Second – if the brake master cylinder is faulty, the fluid will bypass the seals. In which case your brake system will not respond accordingly, or it will not respond at all even if you floor the brake pedal.
How to Diagnose and Fix the Problem of a Sinking Brake Pedal
We have already listed two of the most common reasons why your brake pedal sinks to the floor when you apply the brakes. The next step is to identify the source of the problem accurately and then fixing the problem.
Note – If you don’t feel confident about conducting the checks yourself, the next best thing to do is to have a professional Automotive technician handle the job.
Here’s what you can do to diagnose and fix a brake pedal that sinks to the floor due to a brake line fluid leak:
- Start by checking the level of the brake fluid.
- If the brake fluid level is optimal, then you don’t have a brake fluid leak issue on your hands.
- On the other hand, if you find your brake fluid levels are low or if you are completely out of brake fluid, then there is a leak issue.
- The first thing to do is to check all the brake lines from the wheels to identify if there is a leak in the brake lines.
- If you find a leak on the brake lines, then you need to either replace the wheel cylinder or repair the brake lines.
Typically, if there is a brake fluid leak, your brake warning lights will come on. If this does not happen and there are no visible signs of a brake fluid leak, the problem could be with your brake master cylinder.
- The brake master cylinder has two sets of seals. If the seals get damaged or if they wear out, then it can lead to a leak internally.
- If this is the case, then the brake master cylinder will have to be replaced.
If your car has an antilock brake system (ABS), a leak in the ABS unit could also lead to the brake pedal sinking to the floor.
To Wrap Up
If you suspect there is a problem with your braking system based on the above-mentioned signs, don’t ignore the problem and continue driving. Have your car checked up by a professional Automotive technician for accurate assessment of the problem and repairs.
Even if you are a DIY enthusiast and you can fix the issue by yourself, we strongly recommend that you have your car checked by a car technician before you resume driving.
Meridian Automotive – Professional Car Repair Service You Can Trust!
Are you facing any of the above-mentioned issues with your car? If yes, don’t ignore the issue. We can help you with the necessary repairs.
Give Meridian Automotive a call at (208) 297-5573 or schedule an online appointment today!
