Why Air in your Braking System Is Never a Good Idea
Have you ever wondered why it is so easy for you to stop a heavy car with a gentle application of your right foot? You only need to depress the pedal to bring the vehicle to a controlled halt, and much of this magic is down to hydraulic pressure. Yet, for the system to work as it should, everything needs to be perfect, and the all-important brake fluid needs to be in good condition. So, what can happen if that environment is compromised and the air happens to find its way in?
Your Braking System in Everyday Use
Hydraulic fluid moves through sealed pipes and tubes on its way from the master cylinder to each road wheel. When you press your foot on the pedal, the fluid activates a piston at each wheel, pushing brake pads against rotary discs and slowing everything down. This system needs to be carefully maintained, but sometimes, issues can arise. A tiny pinhole may develop in one of the braided hoses, allowing air to enter the system.
Unexpected Moisture
When the air gets in, it can bring some tiny molecules of water with it, as this moisture is naturally occurring. However, as temperatures can heat up dramatically within this system, that water will eventually boil, creating bubbles in the braking system. When this happens, it'll take more effort to slow down the vehicle as the hydraulic fluid will not be as effective.
Spongy Brake Pedal
Your first indication of such a problem may be a "spongy" brake pedal. It may not feel as if it is working as it should, and you may lead to pump the pedal quite vigorously before the vehicle slows down. This is highly unlikely to lead to a brake failure, but it can certainly be disconcerting when you're expecting the vehicle to do one thing – and it does another.
So, if you suspect something is wrong with your braking system and you need to apply more effort to achieve the same result, you may have air (and subsequently water) in your brake pipes.
Time to Bleed the Brakes
When you take the vehicle to a mechanic, they will bleed the brakes to repair the issue and return the system to normal. They will perform this work on one corner of the vehicle at a time until there is no more air left and normal service has been resumed.
For more information, reach out to car repair services near you.