Strange Brake Problem
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 203
Likes: 16
Strange Brake Problem
I'm normally pretty good about diagnosing problems but this one has me stumped. I drove my truck the other day to pick up a trailer. Brakes felt normal all the way there. As soon as I picked it up I felt a difference in braking, it was to be expected, as the trailer did not have it's own brakes and is a PIG. However, I expected to need more braking, not for the pedal to feel spongy suddenly. Got the trailer home and took the truck for a drive to see if it was just because of the trailer or not, and it is not. The brakes were just fine, and now they are spongy. I checked for leaks and cannot see any leaks anywhere. Pads and shoes still look good as well.
Any thoughts?
Any thoughts?
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 203
Likes: 16
I agree but how would it get in there when I cant find a leak. And how would it happen so suddenly?
No. Normal driving and it was literally hard one minute and spongy the next.
No. Normal driving and it was literally hard one minute and spongy the next.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,399
Likes: 40
From: El Dorado, Arkansas
The situation could depend on how long it's been since the brake fluid has been flushed out for new fluid and how hot the brakes got with the fluid that's currently in the brake system.
If the fluid is old, it's likely accumulated moisture. Moisture is water. If water gets hot enough from the brakes, it'll boil and turn into a gas inside the brake system. Gas is compressible and the only way to get it out, to get rid of the sponginess (if this is what happened), is to bleed the brake system out with fresh brake fluid.
Brake fluid should be changed every 18 to 24 months (max) to minimize moisture accumulation.
If the fluid is old, it's likely accumulated moisture. Moisture is water. If water gets hot enough from the brakes, it'll boil and turn into a gas inside the brake system. Gas is compressible and the only way to get it out, to get rid of the sponginess (if this is what happened), is to bleed the brake system out with fresh brake fluid.
Brake fluid should be changed every 18 to 24 months (max) to minimize moisture accumulation.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,099
Likes: 8
From: York, Pa
I would bet on it being a brake hose. If they swell they feel spongy which would make sense that it came all of the sudden.
Get someone to press the pedal and look at each hose.
Get someone to press the pedal and look at each hose.
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Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 203
Likes: 16
The situation could depend on how long it's been since the brake fluid has been flushed out for new fluid and how hot the brakes got with the fluid that's currently in the brake system.
If the fluid is old, it's likely accumulated moisture. Moisture is water. If water gets hot enough from the brakes, it'll boil and turn into a gas inside the brake system. Gas is compressible and the only way to get it out, to get rid of the sponginess (if this is what happened), is to bleed the brake system out with fresh brake fluid.
Brake fluid should be changed every 18 to 24 months (max) to minimize moisture accumulation.
If the fluid is old, it's likely accumulated moisture. Moisture is water. If water gets hot enough from the brakes, it'll boil and turn into a gas inside the brake system. Gas is compressible and the only way to get it out, to get rid of the sponginess (if this is what happened), is to bleed the brake system out with fresh brake fluid.
Brake fluid should be changed every 18 to 24 months (max) to minimize moisture accumulation.
That makes sense. I'll check that out this weekend when I have some help.
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