5 Common Brake Problems in Cars and How to Fix Them

Many issues can arise from your car's braking system, and since your brakes are critical to your on-road safety, you must deal with its issues immediately. Whether it be a spongy pedal, longer stopping distances, or leaks, these are all signs that say your braking system demands special attention. The good news is there are quick fixes to common brake problems, and these are something that you can perform yourself even if you are not a savvy DIY handyman. Check out these five common brake problems that you may encounter in your car, along with tips to take care of them temporarily or permanently.

Spongy brake pedal

A spongy brake pedal is a major brake issue--you are facing a dangerous situation and you should not drive any further because you run the risk of your brakes not working at all. When the brake pedal feels squishy or sinks to the floor, it's generally because there's a leak in your braking system. Thus, the first thing you should look at is your brake fluid reservoir. If the fluid content is below the low-level mark, top it up and get your car to a service shop as soon as possible. Even if the fluid is full and there are no signs of leaks, don’t drive the car all the same, because the leak could be internal.

Squealing brakes

A sharp squeal when brakes are applied is a common complaint and there are many things that can cause it, including low-quality brake pads, insufficient brake lubrication, rotors that need to be resurfaced, etc. Try applying lubricant such as WD40 to all of the brake system's sliding surfaces including the pads, rotors, caliper bolts, and brake caliper piston and see if this solves the problem. Otherwise, have your mechanic take a look at it.

Vehicle pulls to one side when braking

Like brake squeals, a pulling car can have a lot of causes, from suspension to tires, and of course, the brakes. If it's brake-related, the most common cause is a stuck caliper. Calipers can get stuck if dust, grime, and moisture find their way into the piston and cause rust and corrosion. When this happens, the fluid pressure won't be able to push the piston effectively. To fix this problem, you will need to access the piston and remove the rust and corrosion with a wire wool or steel brush, then add lubricant afterwards. If this sounds like too much work, you can always take your vehicle to a mechanic to have the caliper cleaned or replaced.

You may also want to check your front tires and see if they are overly worn. Replacing your tires will be the way to fix this, or you can try swapping your front tires with the rear with a tire rotation service.

Stiff brake pedal

The most likely cause of a stiff brake pedal is a problem with the brake booster. As the name suggests, the booster's job is to make the brake pedal easy to push down. Check that the large vacuum hose to the booster is connected. If not, re-attach it. If you had your brake done and they feel really stiff afterwards, then you should return your vehicle to the mechanic or shop and have the brakes redone.

Shaky steering wheel when brakes are applied

If your car shakes only when the brakes are applied, then you probably have warped rotors or drums. Unfortunately, there is no easy remedy to this common brake problem. You will have to have your rotors or drums refaced or replaced.