Brake lines are an essential part of your car’s braking system. They act as the piping for the brake system and are responsible for transporting fluid from the master cylinder to the wheels. Brake lines are mostly made of steel to withstand pressure and exposure to elements. However, they can develop problems over time.
What are the common brake line problems? Problems with brake lines often lead to issues with the entire braking system. There are four common brake line problems you should expect to face, especially if you’ve been driving your vehicle for a long time and never serviced or changed your brakes. These problems include:
- Corroded lines
- Leaking brake fluid
- Brake pressure problem
- Brake light on
It’s essential to familiarize yourself with the common brake line problems and how to fix them. This way, you can act as soon as you notice an issue with your brakes. In this article, you’ll learn more about the causes of brake line issues, how to troubleshoot these problems, and the best fixes.
Common Brake Line Problems and How to Fix them
Driving a car with compromised brakes is one of the most dangerous things you can do. Your brakes make it possible for you to slow down or stop your vehicle when you need to. If any of the brake system parts are compromised, this may not be possible, which means you’ll be putting everyone on the road, including yourself, in danger.
For this reason, you need to know some of the common car problems you may experience. Top among them is brake line problems. The brake line is the part of the car’s brake system responsible for taking brake fluid from the master cylinder to the wheels when you step on the brake pedal.
Therefore, you need functional brake lines every time you’re on the road. Below are some of the most common brake line issues.
1. Corroded Lines
One of the most common brake line problems is corrosion. Several factors can cause your brake line to corrode. For starters, your brake lines may start rusting if the vehicle is parked for an extended period without being driven. The corrosion is even worse if the storage conditions for your vehicle are not the best.
The brake lines are also more susceptible to corrosion if the car is driven in snowy climates where salt is used to remedy the icy roads.
How to Fix Corroded Brake Lines
According to It Still Runs, there are two ways to fix corroded brake lines. You have the option of either replacing the entire brake line or just a section of it. The extent of corrosion should give you an idea of which solution to choose.
If most of the brake line is rusted, it’s best to replace the entire brake line. However, if it’s only a small section, you can replace only the affected section to prevent it from spreading to the other parts.
When you decide to do this, make sure you seek a mechanic’s help unless you have experience with fixing this part of the vehicle. It’s vital that all the brake line corrosion is taken out to ensure that your brakes are in good working condition.
2. Leaking Brake Fluid
Another common brake line problem is leakage. Several things can cause brake fluid leakage. One of them is faulty or damaged brake lines. Your Mechanic says that you can tell if you have damaged brake lines if there’s little to no resistance when you press your foot on the brake pedal.
If the brake fluid is too low, you won’t be able to get the brakes to work no matter how much you increase pressure on the brake pedal.
How to Fix Brake Fluid Leakage Caused by Faulty Lines
When you notice that the brake fluid is low or you see an actual puddle of brake fluid below your vehicle when it’s parked, you should seek help immediately. It’s best to take the car to a mechanic so that they can rule out all the other causes of leakage before deciding to fix the brake lines.
If the brake lines have holes or the fitting is not well-aligned, the mechanic will have to replace the damaged parts or fix the fitting to stop the leakage.
- Brake Pressure Problem
It’s also common to experience brake pressure problems when your brake lines are compromised. For instance, if the brake lines are starting to wear out, air may get into the brake fluid, thereby affecting the braking pressure. When this happens, your brakes will have a spongy feel when you step on them. In some cases, this problem can arise when you’re changing your brake lines. If air enters into the brake fluid and you don’t bleed it out, you may have trouble working your brakes.
How to Fix a Brake Pressure Problem
My Auto Repair Advice suggests bleeding the brakes. If you decide to do it on your own, start with the brakes that are furthest from the master cylinder and make sure the master cylinder is full of fluid during the entire bleeding process.
You can have someone check the level of fluid in the master cylinder as you bleed the brakes to ensure everything is fine. To ensure sufficient bleeding, open the bleeder valve and push the pedal at least five times. Next, push the pedal down and close the valve. You must do this for every brake to ensure all the air is removed from the brake fluid.
4. Brake Light On
Whenever you notice the brake light turn on, it’s an indication that you have a failed brake line. In most cases, the light turns on when the brake fluid has reduced to a level lower than is recommended. It may also indicate brake pad wear.
How to Fix
When you see the brake light on, it’s best to seek assistance immediately before driving the vehicle. If there’s a leakage in the brake lines, the mechanic will fix the trouble area or adjust the fitting to stop any further leakage. If the issue is your brake pads, they may have to be replaced for the brake system to function normally again.
Tend to Your Brakes Often
Brake servicing is generally a performance-based type of maintenance. Therefore, the frequency will depend on your type of vehicle and typical driving conditions. For instance, a person driving in a snowy climate where salt is used to combat the ice may need more brake checkups compared to someone who drives in a drier climate.
However, you should have your brakes checked regularly to determine whether or not you need brake service. You can ask the mechanic to check your brakes every time you have an oil change or after driving more than 10,000 miles.
If your car is in storage often, it helps to take it out for a drive once in a while to prevent rusting of the brake lines. This way, you won’t find lots of damage when you want to start driving the car often again.
Stay Safe
As you can see, there are many common brake line problems. Even when you’re taking good care of your vehicle, some of these brake line issues are inevitable, especially if you drive in harsh climatic conditions. However, you can stay on top of brake problems and stay safe on the road by taking your vehicle for regular maintenance with a mechanic.