Bleeding the Brakes Alexandria VA

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Reader Question Hi Austin,
I came across your webpage while searching the Internet to find out why one needs to bleed the brakes.

I have a 2003 Honda Accord (with ABS) and I have been having this one issue for a while now and I have not had any luck with any of the mechanics (including the dealer). Problem is when I step on the break pedal, break does not respond to first inch or so - the pedal feels really soft. Then after that the it break really hard and suddenly.

I was thinking that there might be some air/moisture in the break line and maybe thats what is causing the problem - if thats what water and moisture do?

I have other cars and I brake very smootly on other cars but on this car I have never been able to get use to this car's breaks. Even the passengers complain that I am break too hard.

I am not sure if I have explained the problem clearly or not as I am not too good at explaining things :)

Any feedback from you would be greatly appreciated.

With best regards,
-uday

Hello Uday,

Thanks for your email. I have seen/felt this complaint before on an Acura at my shop. The problem with that car was the brake master cylinder was faulty, we replaced it and the problem went away. I have also seen a similar complaint with a Chevrolet truck, and we replaced the two front brake calipers and brake hoses, and the problem went away.

Air can become trapped in the brake system, but it can really only get in there if there is a brake fluid leak somewhere...you would be loosing fluid, and eventually the brakes would stop working all together. Or after your last brake job the mechanic did not "bleed" the brakes properly...but that would mean the problem would have shown up right then.

To read the full article, visit Myhonestmechanic.com