Now let's discuss some the problems that you can have in your braking system. IF CAR PULLS TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT WHEN BRAKING: First make sure alignment bolts are tight and tire pressure is equal on all tires. Replace any loose or worn tie rods and check for brake fluid or wheel bearing grease on the disc pads or drum linings. Replace any caliper, wheel cylinder or brake line where any brake fluid is found. Repack wheel bearings if bearing grease was found. Also, replace all pads and linings per axle if any are worn. If everything is okay, have your mechanic test for sticky calipers or wheel cylinders as well as check for warped rotors or drums and gauge test for loose ball joints. SQUEALING OR GRINDING NOISE WHEN STOPPING: Immediately check your disc pads and drum brake linings for wear and replace all pads and linings per axle if any are worn to avoid major brake damage. In addition, there are some model cars that have disc pads with feelers that squeak continuously when not breaking. This indicates low brake pads and all the pads should be replaced immediately. Some model cars make noise anyway, so check with your mechanic or owner's manual for your model. BRAKE PEDAL GOES DOWN TOO FAR BEFORE THE CAR STOPS: First, check the fluid level at the master cylinder. If the fluid level is continuously low, check for leaks at the master cylinder itself and at the wheel cylinders. If you find any leaks, replace that part immediately. Leaky wheel cylinders can cause rear brake failure and damage to the drums while a leaky master cylinder could cause total brake failure. If you don't find any leaks, check for wear at the pads and linings and replace if any are worn. If the pads and linings are okay, perform a bleed and have the brakes adjusted. Should the problem continue, the master cylinder and/or power brake booster on a power brake system, may need to be replaced. See your mechanic. BRAKE PEDAL IS MUSHY, OR YOU MUST PUMP THE PEDAL TO STOP: Again, check the fluid level of the master cylinder and if it is continuously low, examine for leaks at the master cylinder itself and at the wheel cylinders. Should you not have a leaking problem, perform a bleed and, if the problem continues, replace the master cylinder. BRAKE PEDAL RETURNS SLOWLY TO UPPER POSITION: Replace the spring at the brake linkage. MODULATION OR PULSATING FEEL TO PEDAL: Look for a sign of a warped disc or drum and have it resurfaced immediately. BRAKE LIGHT ON DASH COMES ON EACH TIME YOU PRESS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL: First, check the fluid level at the master cylinder and if it is constantly low, examine the master cylinder and wheel cylinders for leaks. Replace any leaking parts immediately. Should you not find any leaks, have the brakes adjusted and if the problem still continues, have the master cylinder replaced. BRAKES CATCHING OR STICKING AFTER BRAKING: Have your mechanic check for sticky calipers on disc brake systems and worn retracting springs at the drum brakes. Have sticky calipers or worn springs replaced.
