How Do You Diagnose A Brake Problem?
Check the brake fluid if the brake light is on (see “How to Check Brake Fluid” in the Related eHows). Understand that a high-pitched scraping or squealing noise that goes away when you step on the brake tells you that the brake pads are worn – but only with brake pads that have wear sensors attached. Note that a grinding, metal-against-metal sound when braking indicates that it’s too late: Your brake pads or shoes are completely worn away, and you are now ruining the rotors or drums. You should have gotten the brakes checked earlier! Feel the brake pedal. If it is soft or mushy or gets harder and higher when you pump it, you might need to bleed the brakes (which gets air bubbles out of the brake lines). Note that if the brake pedal slowly sinks to the floor when you step on it (or intermittently), you might be in need of a new brake master cylinder. Drive the car at low speed, braking as needed. If the brakes squeal, you might need new brake pads, or the brake rotors might need to be r
