If you are having braking issues, and your brake pads and rotors have recently been changed, then there is a chance that your brake line has developed a leak. And, while you can potentially make the repair yourself, this is typically a bad idea. There are a few reasons why this is the case. Keep reading to learn why.
You May Not Find All The Leaks
Your braking system will develop leaks mainly due to corrosion issues. This is especially true if you live in a cold weather area where salt is often spread on the roads. Sometimes, water will even seep into the braking system and cause corrosion from the inside out.
These sorts of corrosion issues can lead to numerous pinhole leaks. While one larger leak may appear as if it is the only issue, the other leaks are likely to open up when pressure is exerted on them. This pressure is high when the brake fluid level is restored to normal.
So, you may find and repair one leak only to spring another. If you end up driving your vehicle with the leak or leaks present, then you may end up in a dangerous position. Your vehicle may not stop as quickly as it should, and your brake pedal may feel soft with a poor response when it is pressed.
In some cases, your car may not stop completely at all, and you may be forced to use the emergency brake to slow down your vehicle.
Thankfully, a car repair professional can use specialized equipment to check the pressure in the brake lines to see if pinhole leaks remain in the system. If so, then the brake lines will be replaced so that the pressure remains consistent and brake fluid levels do not drop.
A Flush May Be Needed
If brake line damage was caused by the accumulation of water in the system or by the corrosion of one or several brake lines, then all of the brake fluid will need to be replaced. Otherwise, you will experience another issue in the near future.
This means that your braking system will need to undergo a flush where the old fluid is drained from the calipers, brake hoses, lines, the cylinder, and the fluid reservoir. A professional does this with pressurized air, so your mechanic will need to do this.
In addition to flushing, all of the air will be bled from the system so that bubbles do not remain and cause braking issues when you are able to drive once again.
For more information, contact a car repair service such as Suburban Driveline Inc.
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