How To Fix Brakes That Go To The Floor

HOW TO FIX BRAKES THAT GO TO THE FLOOR

Few things are as concerning when you drive as discovering that applying the brake pedal isn’t bringing you to a stop. And among the most pressing issues is when you find your brakes going to the floor. You’re not going to stop as effectively as you should, and if it ever happens, it’s cause for immediately diagnosing and repairing it.

It could be a simple repair that’s only a matter of your time, or it could be a fix that costs $1,000 or more to correct. Find out what causes it when your pedal sinks lower than it should, how to diagnose it, and potential repairs you’re facing.

INTRODUCTION TO BRAKE PROBLEMS

As your primary safety system, the brakes should have a firm, consistent feel when you press them, and they should always have the capacity to perform controlled stops as well as emergency braking. It’s a safety issue when your brakes aren’t stopping your car as well as they used to, and it can lead to an accident if you can’t control your deceleration.

Brakes going to the floor can feel different based on what the root cause it, but symptoms can include:

Longer travel in the pedal movement

A spongy or crackling feeling as you press the brake

The pedal creeps closer to the floor when you’re holding the brake at a stop

Longer than normal stopping distances

A burning smell from the wheels

Pulsation in the pedal when stopping

The car pulls to one side

A visible brake fluid leak

The brake warning light illuminated

All of these symptoms are a cause for immediate concern and should be diagnosed right away.

COMMON CAUSES OF BRAKE FAILURE

Although there can be a number of symptoms, the foundation of a brake pedal going to the floor is because the friction material on your brakes isn’t able to squeeze the rotor or drum firmly enough to hold it. The most common causes are:

Leaking brake fluid- If the brake fluid is leaking, the hydraulic pressure inside the braking system can’t build up enough for a firm pedal. You’ll find that the pedal sinks as brake fluid leaks out. Fluid could leak from any number of parts including brake hoses, brake lines, caliper seals, wheel cylinders, and the master cylinder.
Air in the brake lines- Air can be compressed much more readily than brake fluid, and if it’s in the brake system, it allows for more pedal travel as the air gets squeezed. Air can enter the fluid if the brakes aren’t bled after a service or if there’s a leak that allows air to be drawn in during operation.
Master cylinder issues- An internal leak in the master cylinder can allow fluid to bypass, leading to loss of hydraulic pressure and a pedal that sinks when applied.

Worn brake pads or shoes- Calipers and wheel cylinders need to extend further to squeeze the friction material against the brake rotors or drums when there’s excessive wear. That can translate into longer pedal travel before the brakes grab.

Stuck brake adjusters- For drum brakes, adjustment hardware can stick or seize, increasing the amount of travel between the shoes and drums before pressure is applied.

DIAGNOSING THE ISSUE

If you've found your brake pedal sinking to the floor when you press it? Perform these steps to determine the cause:

Check Brake Fluid Levels

At the master cylinder, inspect that the brake fluid level is full and it’s clean. Low brake fluid doesn’t always indicate a leak as worn brake pads or shoes will require that more fluid is pushed into the lines. However, if the fluid is full and the pedal is sinking to the floor, it could be an indicator that the master cylinder is faulty.

Visually Inspect The Brakes

At each of the four wheels, a thorough checkup should be completed. Look for fluid leaks at the hoses and calipers or wheel cylinders, and make sure the brakes are mechanically moving as they should when the pedal is pressed. Check that the pad material is at least 1/4-inch thick and the rotors or drums are above their discard level. Replace any parts that are damaged or worn out.

Test The Brake Pressure

Check the master cylinder’s pressure output using a brake pressure gauge attached to the outlet, then apply the brakes. An external leak should present itself under pressure. If there’s a significant drop in pressure and there’s nothing visible, it’s a likely internal leak at the master cylinder.

POSSIBLE FIXES FOR BRAKES THAT GO TO THE FLOOR

If you've found your brake pedal sinking to the floor when you press it? Perform these steps to determine the cause:

Bleeding The Brakes
If air has entered the brake fluid somehow, bleeding the brakes can solve it. While it’s best to have a second person to help you, it’s possible to bleed brake fluid by yourself too.

Replacing The Master Cylinder

A brake master cylinder fault is relatively uncommon, but it’s possible if the pedal is sinking to the floor. The steps for how to replace a brake master cylinder require precision, and there may be other components that need to be changed at the same time.

Fixing Brake Line Leaks

If there’s a brake fluid leak, replacing brake lines is fairly common to fix it, particularly the flexible rubber hoses. Replacing a brake line or hose will also require bleeding the brakes afterward, plus you may need specialized wrenches to change them.

Replacing Worn Brake Pads Or Shoes

Perhaps the most common reason for a sinking pedal is worn out brake friction material. When you’re changing them, always complete it as a set for both wheels on the axle. Most DIYers are well served knowing how to replace brake pads and rotors as it’s a job that will need to be done every couple of years.

PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE TIPS

To help keep braking problems at bay, including severe ones like a spongy or sinking pedal, maintenance is key:

Inspect the brakes regularly. At least once per year or 12,000 miles, perform a thorough check to make sure your brakes are functioning normally and repair any issues that come up.

Keep the brake fluid clean and full. At every oil change, check the brake fluid condition and level. Flush the brake fluid every two years or when it’s dirty.

Change your brakes on time. When the brake pads are at or below 1/4-inch of remaining thickness at the thinnest point, replace them.

When the time comes to replace brake parts, MBR MOBILE BRAKE REPAIR LLC. is here for you. We only use high-quality components from trusted brands like Duralast, BrakeBest, and Genuine OE manufacturers for almost any make and model.

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