What does it mean when your brake pedal goes stiff?
Vacuum – or really lack of vacuum pressure – is the most common cause of a hard brake pedal, and therefore the first thing to look at when a hard pedal is present. Any brake booster (whether from Master Power or any other supplier) needs a vacuum source to operate. When this happens, the pedal gets harder.
What should you do if the brake pedal becomes hard while driving HGV?
If the brakes’ air pressure warning light comes on you should stop and seek help without delay as your brakes could be about to fail. If the brake pedal feels hard then the vacuum pump is not working. You should see a warning light or hear a buzzer.
What does it mean when your brake pedal goes to the floor?
The car still stops, but you might need to press down hard so that the brake pedal sinks all the way to the floor. The pedal might sink slowly or fast. In other cases, the brake might not work at all. This is called a “sinking” or “soft” brake and is especially problematic if it suddenly happens one day without any warning.
Why does my brake pedal feel so soft?
The final reason why your brake pedal may be soft is because your master cylinder is failing. A master cylinder may fail due to age and wear. The master cylinder is the main valve that pumps brake fluid into your brake lines. When the cylinder is failing, your lines do not get the brake fluid needed.
What happens when you take your foot off the pedal?
Your brakes should let go immediately as you take your foot off the pedal. If they don’t, this can cause brake overheating as well as premature wear to brake parts. Check these potential problems: Bad Wheel Cylinder: A bad wheel cylinder may not relax and release its pressure.
What does it mean when your brakes don’t work?
Weak or Spongy Brakes Sometimes your brakes will still work, but they seem to have grown weak. It takes longer to stop, or you get less braking power when you apply the brakes suddenly. The pedal may also feel more squishy than usual: