Are Your Brakes Too Sensitive?

Posted on: 31 August 2018

Everybody likes it when their brakes work, but sometimes, if the brakes are too sensitive, they may make for a very uncomfortable ride for you and your passengers. This is because brakes are not just used to stop but also to slow down the car. If your car keeps coming to a stop every time you slow down at a corner, then you could be a danger to yourself and others on the road.

There are several issues that can cause your brakes to become a little too sensitive, and they will require a visit to your brake repair shop.

Misaligned Caliper

The brake system in a car is composed of two main parts: the caliper and the disk. The brake is engaged when these two parts come into contact. If the caliper is not properly aligned with the disk, one side of it may be closer to the disk than the other. Therefore, it will require very little force before it touches the disk. You can also experience the same if the caliper is bent.

Seized Caliper Pistons

The calipers are pushed forward and backward by pistons which are actuated by the brake fluid. The calipers can seize up for a number of reasons, e.g. if the oil doesn't have the correct consistency or if dirt and other contaminants find their way into the space around the piston.

Kinked, Clogged, or Collapsed Brake Lines

The brake lines are the channels through which the brake fluid moves around the system. If these lines are obstructed in any way, the brake fluid may not fully travel back after you remove your foot from the pedal. Therefore, the caliper will still be closer than it should be to the disk. The next time you step on the brakes, it will seem to engage instant since the caliper will only have a short distance to travel.

Repairing Sensitive Brakes

As with any other brake issue, it's a good idea to have sensitive brakes repaired as quickly as possible. Sensitive brakes can be just as dangerous as brakes that engage too slowly. For example, if your car is moving at a very high speed, sensitive brakes on one front wheel can cause the car to flip over.

The best solution to this problem is to have your car checked out by an auto repair shop. This will ensure that the problem is correctly fixed so you can drive safely.

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