10+ Common Car Brake Issues That Aussie Drivers Can Face
From squeaky brakes to worn discs, there are plenty of common brake issues that drivers across Australia face. Some of them can be pretty dangerous too, like fluid leaking from your brake lines that make it difficult for your car to stop – and that could easily lead to an accident, especially on slippery roads during Aussie Winter.
A lot of the time, it’s your brake disc or cylinder causing trouble. At The Car Guys garage, we have seen it all. Just last week, we had a customer come in with damaged brake lines – we kept their Benz in for a few days, and they were safely back on the road today.
Brake problems are something we deal with day in and day out, so here are 10+ of the most common brake issues we see in Aussie cars.
10+ Common Car Brake Issues Answered
Here are 10 common brake problems that drivers can face:
1. Squeaky Noise
Hearing a high-pitched squeal when you press down on your car’s brakes? It might be a sign that your car’s brake pads are wearing thin. Most pads come with a small piece of metal called the wear indicator – it starts touching your vehicle’s brake rotor, creating a squeaky noise when your pad begins to thin out. It’s your car’s way of telling you it’s time for a check-up.
Don’t ignore it (not that you would be with all the noise, anyway). The squeal can lead to a reduction in how efficient your brake is and even damage your rotors. We always tell clients to bring their car in if the noise sticks around for a day.
Sometimes, the squeaks can be due to sand or debris stuck on your brake pad’s surface, especially if your car’s been parked in a very dusty spot for a while.
2. Grinding Noises
If your brakes are grinding, you’ve probably worn them down to the metal. At this point, the metal backing on your brake pads is scraping against the rotor – and that’s never a good sign.
Occasionally, a stone or bit of debris gets caught in the calliper, causing a similar sound. Either way, it’s time to get it checked.
3. Vehicle Pulls to One Side When Stopping
When your vehicle pulls to the side when you stop, it’s a sign that something within your brake system is not balanced. A common cause from our experience is a stuck brake calliper – the calliper’s job is to squeeze your brake pads against the rotor when your car slows down, so if your rotor is stuck, it will cause your car to pull to one side when braking.
Depending on how you drive, this might also be a reason behind your car stopping funny. Frequently hitting the brakes hard can cause uneven brake pad wear, which can cause the issue.
4. Brake Warning Lights Going Off
If your brake warning light flickers on the dash, it could mean that your brake fluid is low, or that there is a problem with your anti-lock braking system (ABS).
Since these issues often relate to a fault with your hydraulic braking system, you car might not stop as quickly as usual, so be prepared. And if you see the light flashing while driving, always pull over and have your vehicle towed – it’s not worth the risk of driving with compromised brakes.
5. Reduced Stopping Power
Do you notice that your car has reduced stopping power when you hit the brakes? We’ve found that the issue comes down to three different reasons:
- Worn brake pads: Over time, the friction material on your brake pads wears down. As it gets thinner, it becomes less effective at slowing your car, increasing your stopping distance and putting more strain on the rest of your braking system.
- Brake fade: Brake fade occurs when your brakes overheat, usually from frequent or heavy braking – like when you’re heading down a long, steep hill. The heat reduces friction, making your brakes feel soft and less responsive.
- Brake fluid problems: Old brake fluid can absorb moisture over time, reducing its effectiveness. If there’s a leak or the fluid level is low, you’ll lose hydraulic pressure, and that means weaker braking performance when you need it most.
You’ll only know which of the three is the culprit if you meet with a mechanic. Either way, it’s important that you immediately pull-over if you’re driving when this issue pops up: you don’t want to risk getting into a potential accident.
6. Stiff/Hard Pedals
If your brake pedal feels stiff or requires extra effort to press down, it could be due to issues with your braking system. One possible cause is a faulty brake booster, which uses vacuum pressure to reduce the effort needed to press the pedal. If it fails, the pedal becomes harder to push.
Another potential issue is a blockage or leak in the vacuum line, which can interfere with the brake booster’s function. Additionally, problems with the master cylinder, such as wear or fluid leaks, can lead to a stiff pedal.
7. Soft Brakes
Brake overheating is common when your brakes are used heavily, like if you live in a hilly terrain. Common culprits apart from excessive braking include stuck callipers or worn out or low quality brake pads.
Typically, when your brake is overheating, you would know by its smell – the best way we can describe it is an acrid odour of burning metal.
Another major sign is when you feel a soft or spongy feeling when you press down on the brakes.
8. Steering Wheel Whobbles
If there is a noticeable steering wheel wobble when you hit the break pedal, either your brake drums or rotors are warped. Heat caused from braking excessively can be strong enough to warp the two steel components, leading to an uneven application of the brake pad, and thus, whobbles!
9. Brake Fluid Leaks
Brake fluid is a yellowish-clear liquid that feels oily to the touch. If it’s leaking, this will happen around the brake calliper, where there may be cracks that the fluid is seeping out from. A lot of the time, you will see a puddle of fluid under your vehicle, directly under the wheels or the brake pedal area.
Leaky blake fluid is extremely dangerous, as it can result in a loss of brake pressure and an inability to stop your vehicle – if a lot of liquid has leaked, your brake pedal in essence becomes useless.
10. Brake Failure
Total brake failure is rare but possible which is why we had to place it towards the bottom of our list. Overloading your car, ignoring warning signs, or driving with extremely worn-out components can all cause it. But what is it? Essentially, when your brakes completely fail to stop your car. It’s why regular servicing is critical, especially before long trips or towing.
11. Calliper Problems
Calliper problems can cause major issues when it is not able to slide freely: this can be due to dirt, rust, or debris. Also called a seized calliper, it causes the brake pads to constantly rub against the rotor, leading to uneven pad wear and warped rotors because of overheating.
We touched on brake fluid leaks earlier – this is another common calliper problem, as cracks in it can cause the fluids to leak. These cracks can crack from road debris or even deterioration from
How Do You Diagnose Brake Problems?
To diagnose brake issues, start by checking the brake fluid level and condition in the master cylinder reservoir. A low fluid level can mean that there is a leak, making the system less effective. If fluid is low, it could also mean that the brake pads, shoes, or discs are worn out.
Next, you should check if the fluid is hot. Overheating can occur from heavy braking, towing, or a dragging caliper. While DOT 3 brake fluid boils at around 204 C, old fluid, which absorbs moisture, can boil as low as 140 C. Regular fluid changes are important to prevent this.
Since brake hydraulics are a sealed system, keep in mind there should be no air in the lines. A spongy brake pedal after service can mean that there is air, caused by either a faulty master cylinder, caliper, or wheel cylinder. In addition, a malfunctioning residual valve can affect pedal engagement and is difficult to identify.
Another less common issue? A bad wheel bearing – it can push your vehicle’s brake pads back into the caliper, causing longer pedal travel and reduced braking efficiency.
How Common is Car Brake Failure?
The truth is it is not that common. Only 5% of cars in the U.S face the problem. Although there are no official statistics for the likelihood in Australia, we rarely see brake failures. Most modern cars have fail-safe systems, warnings, and back-up hydraulics that prevent It from occurring.
Can I Drive My Car with Bad Brakes?
Driving with bad brakes is extremely dangerous and should be avoided at all costs. You could end up with reduced stopping power, which delays your response time and significantly increases the chances of an accident.
Always schedule in a call with your mechanic if your brakes are acting up – that’s what we are here for!