Auto Repairs how to Fix a Brake Fluid Leak
Your vehicle will not stop properly when the brake fluid runs too low, as there will not be enough fluid to build up enough pressure in all four brake lines to cause the brake pads to squeeze the rotors and slow or stop the vehicle. With a leaking brake line the fluid will streak out a lot more rapidly when the brakes are engaged, and if a coupling within one or more of the brake lines gives way during a drive, one push on the brake pedal can cause more than enough fluid to be spent through the hole or other leak source making stopping the vehicle the next time a risky thing. Driver experience and skill comes in when this happens, but it should never get this far.
If you feel that your brake pedal is going lower to the floor than usual when you use your brakes, then you should do a complete brake system check as soon as possible, preferably before the next time you drive. When the brake pedal gives too much, it is a sign that the brake fluid level is low, so your first step is to check the brake fluid level. With the engine stopped, pull the dipstick from the brake system’s master cylinder and ensure that the brake fluid level is filled to the line drawn on the dipstick. If the level is very low, you should either drive directly home or to the nearest garage, as it is no longer safe to drive your vehicle, and check where the brake fluid leak originates from.
The steps to take if your brake fluid level is low, or you spot a leak somewhere in the brake system;
1) Check the bleeder valves on all of the vehicle’s brake callipers to see if one or more of them were left slightly open during the vehicles last brake system service, or brake pad replacement. Tighten the bleeder valves on the callipers, without over-tightening them, and see if that fixes the problem. If so, you should bleed the brake lines (instructions for a brake line bleeding are a little further on), then drive on and be happy, but if not, it’s time to start looking for leaks.
2) Leave your vehicle on a flat surface, like in a garage, with paper underneath it. Look at where the brake fluid leaks out onto the paper, and start looking for the leak(s) in that area on the underside of the vehicle. If there is more than one leak, repairing them one at a time may end up being a very expensive endeavour. Find where all of the leaks originate from, and if the master cylinder is leaking as well as other places, it is probably best to take the vehicle into a reputable garage for a complete brake system overhaul, which can be extremely expensive. Depending upon the age and make of the vehicle, a complete brake system overhaul can cost over $1,500.00.
3) If the leak happens to be coming from the master cylinder, you will need to replace it, and make sure to replace all gaskets at the same time. While you’re at it, and since it’s not all that much more expensive, why not replace the brake lines at the same time? The brake lines run from the master cylinder to each tire, and connect at the tire’s brake calliper. Brake lines come in pre-cut lengths, with all connections intact, and are easily bent to route them from the master cylinder to the tires.
4) Remove the old lines and the master cylinder, and follow the instructions that come with your car’s owners’ manual to replace your master cylinder. Run the brake lines before attaching them to the master cylinder and the callipers, and once they are all in place connect them, with new gaskets and a little brake fluid for lubrication. Hand tighten all attachments first, then tighten with a socket wrench.
5) Once the brake lines are connected, add brake fluid to the master cylinder, start the vehicle and press down on the brake pedal to force the fluid through the lines, and then re-fill the master cylinder. If you have someone to help you it is much easier as you can have them press the brake pedal repeatedly while you bleed the brake lines, which is the next step.
6) Bleeding the brake lines is a very important step in repairing a brake fluid leak. This gets rid of any big air bubbles that may be in the brake lines, which could cause problems when pressing the brake pedal. You have to start with one tire, and open the calliper’s bleeder valve. While open, have someone repeatedly press on the brake pedal until air stops coming out of the hole in the valve. Tighten the valve, move on to the next tire and repeat the process. Once all four tires have been done, repeat the process for all four tires until none of the valves release air when opened and the brake pedal pushed.
7) With the tires off of the car and a brake line change done, it is usually best to finish the job and put on a complete set of new brake rotors and pads. With so much riding on your brakes functioning at full capacity, it is always best to do a complete job, especially if there was more than one part of the brake system leaking brake fluid, or if the vehicle is five years old or older.
With a completely new brake system installed in your vehicle, you should be a lot more comfortable driving, with full competence that you will be able to stop in time when needed. The cost of the brake system overhaul, when done in a garage by certified brake system specialists is rather high, but when done yourself, if you are competent with doing so, the cost can be a fraction of what it would be in a garage. With an owner’s manual and the proper tools, repairing your brake fluid leak is rather simple, as long as you don’t skip any steps or take any shortcuts. When dealing with brakes, it is always best to be right than sorry.
