Reasons Why your Brake Pedal Goes to the Floor and How to Fix

If the brake pedal “goes/sinks” to the floor or the brakes aren’t as responsive as they should be, there may be a leak in the braking system. It can be a brake hose air leak or a brake fluid leak. When it comes to automobiles, you can overlook many little flaws, but you should never ignore any brake-related problems.

The brake pedal should be responsive and firmly connected to the brakes for maximum performance. However, you should exercise extra caution if you notice that your brake pedal depresses all the way to the floor while the engine is running. The brake function can even become completely inactive as a result!

Thus, in this article, I’ll be discussing the reasons why your brake pad sinks/goes to the floor and how to fix it.

Brake pedal goes to the floor

Ok, let’s dive in!

Contents

Reasons the brake pedal goes to the floor

Here are the most common reasons why your pedal goes to the floor:

Brake system leak

There may be a leak in the braking system if the brakes are not as responsive as they should be or if the brake pedal “sinks” to the floor. Nevertheless, it might be a brake fluid leak or an air leak in the brake hose. When the car is parked, a small puddle of fluid is one clear indication that there is a brake fluid leak. Similar to motor oil in appearance, brake fluid has a less “slimy” texture.

Defective master cylinder

Another possible reason why your brake pedal goes to the floor is a problem with the master cylinder. There may be wear on the cylinder bore or the cup seals. Internal leaks or cup seals being bypassed must be taken into account if a car’s brake pedal starts to fade toward the floor. One of the most typical signs of a cup seal failure in a master cylinder is a fading pedal without an external leak. Hydraulic pressure is lost as a result. As the brake pedal fading takes place, it’s likely that the car will veer forward at stop lights.

Air in the brake lines

There may be air in your brake lines, which is one of the main causes of a soft brake pedal. Furthermore, when repairs are made, when fluid is added, or even just as your car is running, air can get into your brake lines. Your brakes need a certain amount of force to stop, which is delivered by brake fluid as it moves through your brake lines. Additionally, your brakes do not use air to provide any stopping power. Therefore, due to the lack of force when there is air in your brake lines, your brake pedal can be depressed all the way to the ground. You must have the brake lines bled to remove any air present in the brake lines if you have any.

A Failing Brake Booster

Your brake booster may be faulty or failing, which would cause your brake pedal to sink to the floor. Due to wear and aging, this frequently happens. This issue might manifest itself more quickly for people who frequently slam on their brakes or are stuck in stop-and-go traffic. Furthermore, when you press the brake pedal, the brake booster enhances the braking system by providing more force. Your brakes may not engage when you press the pedal if the system is failing, resulting in either a soft pedal or a pedal that doesn’t appear to work.

How to fix a brake pedal that goes to the floor

Here’s how to fix a sinking brake pedal:

Inspect for external leaks

Look under your car closely for any signs of brake fluid leaks. Examine the brake calipers, lines, and hoses. The most frequent source of leaks is rusty brake lines, although they can also be caused by faulty rubber seals in the caliper pistons. Change the leaking part.

Check the brake fluid level

Check the level of the brake fluid in the reservoir in the engine compartment, and top it off if necessary. However, there may be air in the brake system if the fluid level is really low, in which case you must bleed the system.

Check or Replace the master brake cylinder

Remove the master brake cylinder and check it for signs of seal damage. In addition, you cannot replace the seal alone for the majority of master brake cylinders; as a result, you must replace the brake cylinder.

Bleed the brake system

The brake system needs to be bled next to remove all air from the system.

Disconnect the brake booster’s vacuum hose

Once the vacuum hose is disconnected from the brake booster, try pressing the brake pedal once more. If the issue persists, your master brake cylinder is probably broken.

Inspect or Replace Brake Booster

The brake booster should be inspected last, and if anything abnormal is noticed with it, it should be replaced. However, there is a good possibility that the brake booster is the malfunctioning component if everything else appears to be in working order and you are certain there is no more air in the brake system.

What to do If the Brake Pedal Goes to the Floor While Driving?

Stop pushing the gas pedal right away and try to safely stop. Never abruptly apply the emergency brake. Activate engine braking to slow down by downshifting, and only activate your emergency brake once you’ve come to a complete stop. After that, get in touch with a towing company or mobile mechanic to get your car inspected and fixed.

If you have brake problems, never keep driving since you run the danger of hurting both you and other people. Due to negligence, you’ll also probably be denied insurance coverage.

Is it safe to drive a car if the brake pedal goes to the floor?

The vehicle’s braking system has a serious flaw when your brake pedal sinks all the way to the floor, which makes the vehicle very unsafe to drive. A brake fluid leak, air in the brake lines, a faulty booster, or a broken master cylinder can all lead to brake system failure. Nevertheless, it is recommended that you visit a repair shop immediately, in order to avoid risking your safety and the safety of other road users. Nevertheless, the mechanic will be able to diagnose and fix the problem causing the brake pedal to sink to the floor.

How much does it cost to fix a sinking brake pedal?

In general, parts cost $148.04 to $180.93, and services cost $106.20 to $129.80. A mechanic needs between 55 mins to 1 hour and 6 mins to finish this repair. Nevertheless, a mechanic will check your brakes, check the fluid, remove air, and refill the fluid if necessary before recommending any additional actions if your brake pedal is lower than typical.

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Conclusion

In conclusion, it’s a serious problem that has to be addressed right away if your brake pedal hits the floor while you’re driving. This issue could be caused by a number of things, such as brake fluid leaks, air in the braking lines, worn-out brake pads, or a broken master cylinder.

Neglecting a brake pedal that sinks to the floor seriously jeopardizes your capacity to stop your car quickly and effectively. It’s important to stop driving in such circumstances, pull over safely, and have your car examined and fixed by an authorized mechanic.

It is crucial for the safety of you, your passengers, and other road users to identify and treat the root causes of a sinking brake pedal. Restoring your vehicle’s braking efficiency and ensuring safe and dependable driving experiences require timely upkeep and expert repairs.

That is all for this article, where we’ve discussed the reasons why your brake pad sinks/goes to the floor and how to fix it. I hope it was helpful, if so, kindly share with others.Thanks for reading, see you around!

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