Why is my brake pedal sitting low?

A low brake pedal is better described as a brake pedal that sits almost to the floor, or one that needs to be pumped repeatedly for the brakes to work. Oftentimes, a low brake pedal also feels “spongy” or soft when you press it, in comparison to how a normal brake pedal might feel which requires more pressure to brake. So, what can cause your European vehicle’s brake pedal to sit low, and is it something that needs to be taken care of as soon as possible?

The first thing to check when seeing your vehicle’s brake pedal sitting low is the brake fluid. Low brake fluid is a typical cause of a low sitting brake pedal, and is usually caused by a leak somewhere in the system. If you notice that your brake fluid is low, it’s important to get this resolved as soon as possible. Adding brake fluid to the reservoir may help you avoid brake failure, however it won’t fix the issue if there is a leak somewhere in the system. Our professionals will perform a thorough inspection of your vehicle’s brake line to determine where the leak is and fix it so that your brake’s hydraulic power is restored.

If the fluid is fine, there could be an issue of air in the brake lines. Air in the brake lines prevents the proper hydraulic pressure from being generated when you step on the brakes, which is why the pedal feels spongy. This can be fixed by bleeding the brake lines, which helps to remove any air. The issue could also be with the alignment of the drum brakes, which can cause the pistons to knock back.

Other symptoms of bad or failing brakes include:

• Loss in brake power
• Pedal has to be pumped to initate brakes
• Squealing noise when braking
• Vehicle pulls to one side when applying brakes

The best thing to do if you notice that your brake pedal is sitting low or feels spongy is to bring your vehicle into the experts here at Bavarian Workshop as soon as you can. It’s never a good sign when your brakes aren’t working as they should, and the sooner our experts take care of the issue the better off your vehicle will be. For European vehicle brake repair in West Hills CA, give us a call or stop by Bavarian Workshop today!