When the pedal travels further than it used to
Most brake complaints are about sound. This one is about feel, and it is worth taking more seriously because it is quieter.
The pedal still stops the car, but your foot goes closer to the floor before it does. Or it feels spongy rather than firm. Or it sinks slowly if you hold steady pressure at a light. Drivers get used to it over weeks, which is exactly the problem.
A pedal that has changed usually points to the fluid side of the system rather than the pads:
Air in the lines. Air compresses where fluid does not, so the pedal feels soft and travels further.
Old fluid. Brake fluid absorbs moisture over time, and fluid that has taken on water behaves worse when it gets hot.
A leak. A pedal that sinks under steady pressure, or a fluid level that keeps dropping, needs looking at promptly.
A quick check you can make
Look at the brake fluid reservoir under the hood. The level falls slightly as pads wear, which is normal. A level that has dropped noticeably in a short time, or wet patches near a wheel, is not.
Do not keep topping it up and driving. Fluid that is going somewhere is a reason to book, not a routine.
What the inspection covers
Pads, rotors, lines, hoses, calipers and the fluid itself. The national brake repair page lists the other warning signs. A brake job is a good time to have the suspension looked at, and a vehicle due for a state check can have both done here, since state inspections are offered at this store.
Nearby stores
Fenton and Washington also repair brakes in this part of Missouri.
About this store
The De Soto store is managed by Cathy Bequette.
See the national brake repair page for all 33 locations.