Brake Fluid Problems
The hydraulic pressure in your brake lines can drop for many reasons, from many different brake components, in general. However, fluid problems come down to three issues:
- Contaminated or old brake fluid
- Brake fluid loss
- Air in the lines
How Air Gets into the Brake Lines
Fluid levels in brakes can drop due to normal system wear and tear. There can be damage to the components within the system that can cause leaks. Air will enter the system when brake fluid is low, and the brakes will be less effective. The brake system isn’t completely airtight anyway because air enters the system every time you check the fluid levels.
Contaminated or Old Fluid
Like motor oil, brake fluid can pick up dirt and debris despite the additives present in the fluid to fight fluid breakdown and corrosion. Also, like oil, brake fluid needs to be changed periodically to keep up with performance and protection levels. Contamination occurs in brake fluid because it tends to absorb water. When water gets in the fluid, it can begin to corrode and rust the metal components in the brake system.
Low Fluid
If the fluid is low in your brake system, it is usually because of normal attrition from regular brake operation or because of a leak somewhere in the system. As the brake pads are ground down from the friction of braking and stopping, there is more of a gap between the pads and rotors or shoes and drums. The wider this space, the more fluid is used to cross the space.
When your brake fluid level is low, you get air in the lines and hydraulic pressure is reduced. When the pressure drops too much, you run a risk of brake failure. If you lose fluid through normal operation, you’ll notice a gradual reduction in braking efficiency. If it is a leak, the efficiency will drop faster. Either way, a loss of brake fluid can result in damage to other components in the brakes system which can increase the costs of repair further down the road.
