Does Your Vehicle Need Excessive Pedal Effort To Stop The Vehicle?
If it takes excessive pedal effort to stop your vehicle, find out the problem as soon as possible. The last thing you want to worry about during a panic stop is being able to apply enough pressure on the brake pedal to stop in time.
Caused by: Damaged pad or oil/grease contamination on brake pad or shoe.
Solution: Inspect and clean as necessary. Find and repair cause of oil/grease. 
Caused by: Defective caliper piston, wheel cylinder or caliper sliding mechanism.
Solution: Sliding pins and caliper piston for damage, binding or stuck components. Caliper replacement may be necessary if parts can’t fixed. 
Caused by: Excessively worn pads or shoes.
Solution: Replace worn pads/shoes. 
Caused by: New brakes are not fully bedded in. New brake pads and shoes require bedding-in time to seat against rotor and drum.
Solution: Follow brake pad or shoe manufacturer’s recommendation for proper bedding in procedure. 
Caused by: Loose vacuum hose from intake manifold to brake booster. (on vacuum type systems)
Solution: Check condition of vacuum hose and replace if necessary. 
Caused by: Power steering belt loose, faulty hoses or fluid level low on hydroboost systems.
Solution: Check hydroboost components. 
Caused by: Faulty power brake booster.
Solution: Replace power brake booster. The power booster isn’t a serviceable item, so replacement is necessary.
Return from Excessive Pedal Effort to Brake Troubleshooting
Home to DIY Brake Repair

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