Troubleshooting Pulsing Brake Pedals

A pulsating brake pedal signifies worn out brake parts or loosening brake parts. The thickness of the pedal also matters when you are having a problem with the brake. A brake pedal is one of the most vital parts of a vehicle so you need to be very careful when you feel that there is something wrong with it. Check the malfunction right away and do not use the vehicle without ensuring that the damage is fixed. In this article, you will be taught how to diagnose a pulsating brake pedal.

Check the brake pedal, look at it closely. If you happen to feel a soft and springy feeling, it can be because of the leaks that come from the brake lines. Check the pedal and observe if it gradually goes under which may then signifies a damaged master cylinder. Try to check if there are loose parts.

Brake Line Problem

Check the brake line to see if there is a blockage. Congested brake line will prevent brake fluids to flow to the appropriate portion of the brake system. If it needs replacing, here’s what to do. Remove the old line. In this, you will need two wrenches with hex shape fitting to loosen the connection of the hex bolts. You also need the rag ready for fluid spill. Install the new brake line. Cautiously attach the connection together and then use the wrenches to connect the bolt back using two wrenches. Knowing how to pull them apart is also the technique you must use to put it back together. Add the brake fluid and then bleed the brake to see if it is properly working.

Rotor Problem

If the above is not the problem, check the rotor. The normal run out should be no more than .002 to .005. If it exceeds this limit, the brake starts to wobble because the pads must be pushed farther from the rotor. Check the parallelism using a micrometer (which is used to measure the rotor thickness or thinness) for minimum of four evenly spaced spots one inch from the ends.

Brake Caliper Problem

Another reason for pulsating brake pedal is the faulty brake calipers. This can cause the rotor to wear out. The brake pads need to be replaced in case it has already been damage to protect the other parts from malfunctioning.

Lug Nut Torque

Check the lug nut torque closely. If you added five pound of pressure to a lug nut, it leads to rotor damage. However, you need to consider that when you are tightening a lug nut, you need to use a torque wrench as well as a star pattern. Tighten the nuts halfway before using a wrench tightening it using a wrench.

Look over the loose parts like the bearings, or calipers that can wear the rotor. If there is no parallelism, it can lead to run out. Check the bearings, the lateral rotor or for unequal torque or a spent caliper because this can produce friction which can damage the brake.