Brakes Brake Fluid Steel Brake Line Fluid Reservoir Bake Lines
Has your brake pedal been feeling soft as you apply the brakes? There can be several reasons for this happening. It is most likely that your brake fluid reservoir is either low or does not have any brake fluid in it. In order to fix this problem the reservoir simply needs to be refilled with brake fluid which can be purchased at any auto supply store, or even at some mall stores that have a section set up for auto parts and accessories. GenerallyDOT 3is the recommended type of brake fluid to use for refilling a brake reservoir.
The main thing is to find out is why the brake reservoir got low to begin with. Sometimes it just happens due to the amount of times the brakes must be used for stopping. However, it is also possible and more likely that there may be a leak in one of the brake lines. Leaks in a line generally occur because the lines are made of steel and tend to rust due to weather conditions and chemicals used on the highways during Winter.
There is generally a single brake line attached to the brake reservoir on later model vehicles, older vehicles usually have two lines because one line goes to the front wheels and the second line goes to the rear wheels. The line which is attached to the reservoir is connected to additional lines that go to each wheel on a vehicle. If there is a leak in one of the lines it will allow the brake fluid to drain out and result in not having any brakes either to the rear or front of the vehicle depending on which line has the leak.
Finding that a brake line is leaking is not difficult to do because there will be a puddle of brake fluid under the vehicle where the line is leaking. The puddle will occur because when pressure is applied to the brake pedal it forces fluid from the reservoir into the lines to the brakes. If there is a crack or pin hole in the line the fluid will get out through the opening instead of going to the brakes where it is supposed to go. However, finding exactly where the line is leaking may be a little more difficult.
Since most brake lines are placed close to the frame on vehicles, and in some case are placed inside of the frame, there will be a spot where the brake fluid has gotten the frame wet and this would be the first place to check the line for a pin hole that is allowing the line to leak. Sometimes the fluid will be pushed back along the frame because of wind under the vehicle when it is being driven and this may cause it to appear that the leak is one place when it is actually in a place closer to the front of the vehicle.
Taking a vehicle to a garage or trusted mechanic and having them to check is the best thing to do since they have the equipment required to safely lift the vehicle and check the lines. The main thing is that the line needs to be repaired or replaced with a new steel line in order to drive the vehicle safely and this should be done by someone who knows what they are doing as far as mechanical work is concerned
