How to Adjust Brake Pedal Height

Your brake pedal is one of the most important components of your vehicle. If it's set too high or too low, your ability to stop your car may be compromised. Braking too late or too soon can result in accidents and serious injuries or worse.

Very few automobiles provide for brake pushrod adjustment—the length is often factory set and not easily changed. That said, if your model has adjustable pedals, you can change their height with a few relatively straightforward steps. If you don't feel confident enough to adjust your vehicle's brake height yourself, or your brake is having issues stopping your car quickly, visit a dealership or mechanic.

CAUTION: Brake pushrod adjustment is critical to proper braking. An incorrect adjustment can prevent brake fluid from returning to the master cylinder, thus causing brake lock-up and dangerous skidding. The wrong adjustment in another direction can cause diminished brake action, extending stopping distance to an unsafe level. If you attempt this adjustment, check brake action very thoroughly at low speed afterward to make sure the system is still working correctly.

Step 1 - Check the Brake Pedal Height

Start by checking the brake pedal height to determine if your car's brake pedal is in the proper position. The brake pedal should be an inch higher than your car's gas pedal. Most domestic car manufacturers do this. Some imported cars, however, have gas and brake pedals at the same height.

Step 2 - Look for the Brake Push Rod

You need to know where the brake pushrod is before you can adjust the height of the brake pedal. At the right side of the brake pedal is a rod that is connected to the brake pad level through the floor of your car into the engine. This is the brake pushrod.

Step 3 - Remove the Lock Nut

Using a wrench, remove the closest nut that connects the brake pedal and the pushrod.

Step 4 - Adjust the Height

Using a pair of pliers, twist the pushrod in a clockwise direction to increase the height of the brake pedal. If you need to lower the brake pedal you can do so by twisting the push rod counterclockwise.

Step 5 - Lock Nut

The last step is to tighten the nut that you previously removed. Make sure the lock nut is locked tight.

Once you've tightened the lock, do a few brake tests at low speed to check whether you need to re-adjust the height of your vetomobiles made for the American market, the brake pedal is often higher than the accelerator. You're so used o this arrangement, you notice right away the moment your foot is on the wrong pedal because you can feel that height difference.

Adjust Brake Pedal Height FAQ

Can my brake pedal be adjusted?

The brake pedal of a vehicle is linked to the master brake cylinder. Usually, the rod that links these two is adjustable, which allows you to change the height of the brake pedal.

Should the brake pedal be higher than accelerator?

In automobiles made for the American market, the brake pedal is often higher than the accelerator. You're so used o this arrangement, you notice right away the moment your foot is on the wrong pedal because you can feel that height difference.

Should brake pedal hit the floor?

When the brake pedal goes all the way to the floor when you press down on it, this is a problem known as having soft brakes. It should be fixed right away.

Brakes are not designed to go all the way to the floor. Soft, spongey brakes can be caused by a lack of brake fluid, in most cases.

How low should you let your brakes get?

Your brakes should have a certain amount of springiness to them and should not be able to go all the way to the floor. Adjust your breaks to a height that is comfortable for you, but do not put them so low that they touch the floor o the car.

How do you know if your brakes are weak?

Any indication that your rake have stopped working at 00 percent is cause for consmack a burning rubber-like smell. snf omird, ntkrd gsil.

In worst-case scenarios, the brakes on your vehicle will fail entirely.