For almost all drivers, brakes are regarded as a device that makes them feel safe and comfortable to drive their vehicles.
It gives them a feeling of control while driving. This makes them attempt any comfortable speed level. So they get particularly scared when their brake pedal hard and brakes lock up while driving; for most, it is regarded as the scariest thing ever.
Well, not to worry, we will let you what could have caused this problem and how to prevent it.
What Is Brake Lock-Up?
Brake lock-up occurs when your car’s wheels stop rotating during braking, even though the car is still moving. This causes the tires to skid along the road surface, reducing your ability to control the vehicle.
Modern cars with anti-lock braking systems (ABS) are designed to prevent this, but lock-up can still happen in some cases, especially in vehicles without ABS or when something goes wrong.
What Does Brakes Locking Up Mean?
Brake lockup happens when the grip of the brake friction material overcomes the grip of the tire on the road. It can happen on dry pavement during a panic stop or on an icy road with just a touch of the brake pedal.
Power brakes make it easier to lock up due to reduced pedal effort, but it can happen with manual brakes as well. It can also mean a situation where the brake mechanism fails to release its grip on the wheel, such as a stuck trailer brake.
How Does Braking Work?
There are two types of braking systems: hydraulic and mechanical. Hydraulic brakes use fluid pressure to push the brake pads against a rotor, while mechanical brakes rely on cables or rods to pull them back into place when they get too far away from their original position.
The most common type used in modern cars is hydraulic because it’s more efficient and reliable than its older counterparts (although some older vehicles still have mechanical ones).
If you’re having trouble with your brake pedal being hard or locking up, then chances are that something has gone wrong with either one of these components: the master cylinder – controls how much force goes through each individual line.
If there’s a problem here (for example if there aren’t enough fluids) then it can cause the brakes to lock up, or brake pads – these are what come into contact with the rotor, and if they’re worn down then it will be harder to stop the car.
What Causes Brake Pedal Hard And Brakes Lock Up?
Many probable causes can make your brake system develop faults. If you want to know what causes brake lock up or hard pedal issues, though these issues are not entirely similar, here are some common causes to consider during fault inspection.
- Damaged Brake Lines
- Sticky Brake Calipers
- Hard Braking While Driving
- Faulty Brake Pads
- Insufficient Vacuum
- Bad Brake Booster
- Damaged Master Cylinder
#1. Damaged Brake Lines.
The brake lines transport brake fluid from your master cylinder to the brake calipers. This fluid is needed for the effective functioning and operation of your brakes.
You practically won’t be able to use your brakes without brake fluid, so when your brake line is damaged, corroded, or leaking, it will hinder the transportation of brake fluid to your calipers, and this is not good at all.
Your mechanic needs to get your brake line replaced or repaired if possible, depending on the damage’s extent.
#2. Sticky Brake Calipers.
Brake calipers are part of the topmost essential components of your vehicle’s braking system. The brake calipers hold your brake pads down against the rotors.
When you assert pressure, your rotor’s kinetic energy is converted into heat energy, reducing your vehicle’s speed.
Your vehicle cannot stop or slow down if your calipers are not functioning correctly. This fault can cause your brakes to lock up amongst other issues like steering difficulties and loose brake pedals.
It is relatively uncommon for you to have sticky brake calipers, but if you notice any problem with your brake calipers, get your car to a mechanic’s shop for inspection.
#3. Hard Braking While Driving.
Braking too hard while driving is a condition you can’t avoid sometimes, but you need to that braking hard has harsh effects on your braking system.
Apart from the fact that it can cause your brake pedal to lock up so badly, you might also start experiencing overheating issues, and the damage still does not stop at your brake tubes or pads; it goes as far as affecting your tires.
For drivers who regularly brake hard, this can trigger your ABS at an odd time and wear out various components of your brake system on time.
It may seem like a minor cause compared to other listed causes, but its effects are not laughable. You should form a good driving habit to avoid issues like this.
#4. Faulty Brake Pads.
Brake pads are most times, the reason behind your brake issues, including when your brakes lock up. Since the pads are used more often while driving, they are more prone to wear or other damages.
That’s why vehicle maintenance is needed regularly. When you notice your brake pads are below a quarter thick, you need to replace them with new ones.
You should be able to see your pads through your wheels’ spokes. If your brake pads are worn out, you might also hear noises while braking.
#5. Insufficient Vacuum.
A common cause of a hard brake pedal is a low vacuum. As your engine functions, the vacuum is gotten from your intake manifold or sometimes through your carburetor’s base plate.
There is a vacuum hose between your brake booster and your intake manifold that supplies the vacuum.
If the engine vacuum pulling the diaphragms in your booster is less than the atmospheric pressure in the booster’s rear end, then your diaphragm cannot move. This will make your pedal hard to press down due to no movement of the diaphragms.
#6. Bad Brake Booster.
Sometimes the cause of hard brake pedals might be a faulty brake booster. Your brake booster has moving parts at its front and back ends.
If the diaphragm inside the booster fails, it will not hold vacuum or take in atmospheric pressure. This situation leads to difficulty in pressing down your brake pedals.
#7. Damaged Master Cylinder.
Your master cylinder is a vital part of your car’s brake system, usually located opposite your brake pedal under your bonnet.
It has a significant function in your braking system’s effective operation, so if this component gets entirely damaged, your brake will immediately lock up.
If you already know what happens when brakes lock up suddenly while driving, you should now know how important it is to inspect your vehicle’s brake system regularly.
If you notice any of these causes, get it fixed as soon as possible. You should take advantage of this knowledge for those who don’t know, so you don’t have to find out.
What to Do When Your Brake Pedal Is Locked and Car Won’t Start
Step 1: Check the Battery.
Test your car battery with a multimeter or a battery tester. If the voltage is below 12.6 volts, recharge or replace the battery.
Step 2: Inspect the Brake Pedal and Switch.
Check for any obstructions or damage around the brake pedal. Press the pedal firmly to ensure the brake switch engages.
Step 3: Confirm Gear Shift Position.
Ensure the gear shift lever is in “Park” for automatic vehicles or in neutral for manual transmissions. You can check my post to learn how to brake in a manual car.
Step 4: Check the Ignition System.
Inspect the ignition key or push-button system for faults. For keyless systems, ensure the key fob has a working battery.
Step 5: Consult a Mechanic.
If the issue persists, consult a professional mechanic to diagnose and resolve the problem. Persistent issues may indicate deeper faults in the brake or ignition system.
When to seek professional help
#1. ABS Malfunction.
Your vehicle’s Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) is a sophisticated piece of technology designed to prevent brakes from locking up during instances of heavy or emergency braking.
If the ABS light comes on in your dashboard or if you’ve experienced a lock-up despite having an ABS, this could indicate a malfunction. In such cases, it’s vital to have your vehicle inspected by a professional who can diagnose and rectify the issue.
#2. Repeated Lock-Ups.
If you’ve experienced multiple instances of brake lock-up despite proper maintenance and mindful driving habits, it’s time to consult a mechanic.
Multiple lock-ups could indicate a more profound, underlying problem with your braking system that needs professional attention.
#3. Visible Wear or Damage.
Upon inspecting your brakes, if you notice any visible signs of wear or damage to essential brake components (like brake pads, calipers, rotors, or the master cylinder), you should consult with a mechanic.
Such wear or damage can significantly impact your vehicle’s braking performance. It could lead to a lock-up if not addressed.
#4. Feeling of Uncertainty.
Lastly, if you’re unsure about any aspect of your vehicle’s braking system or how to address a lock-up issue, it’s always best to seek professional help. Dealing with vehicle brakes can be complex and requires expertise to ensure it’s done correctly and safely.
The goal is always to maintain optimal safety on the road, and a mechanic with expertise in braking systems can diagnose and resolve issues efficiently and effectively.
Seeking professional help ensures your vehicle’s braking system performs at its best, providing peace of mind during your driving experiences.
How Do You Fix A Locked-Up Brake?
The fixing process of a locked-up brake depends on the actual cause of this effect. As we now know that several mechanical faults can cause your brake to lock up.
So the first thing you need to do is inspect your vehicle and get the main reason for this problem before attempting a fix. Because if you have your brakes locked up car won’t move fine until you fix the actual cause.
#1. For damaged Brake Lines.
To best fix a damaged brake line, you have to get them replaced, but make sure you purchase the recommended brake line for your vehicle.
This is very important. If the brake line of one wheel is bad, you should change your other wheel’s line, as it might soon get damaged also.
You will need a quality brake fluid, new brake lines, some rags, and some necessary mechanics tools like a lug wrench, screwdriver, and jack stand for the replacement process. You can use a car lift if you choose.
You need to get your car raised. Check for the mesh line that passes through your piston’s housing to the metal side of your brake line. Remove the retainer clip at the hose fittings with a screwdriver.
Once you have been able to remove the brake line’s fittings at its connection points, place your rag or a can under the connection points to prevent the brake fluid contained. Ensure your skin does not get in contact with the brake fluid.
If your line is attached to any other component, gently remove the connection. Now that your brake line is out use a reversal process to install your new brake line. It’s that simple. If you are not confident about doing this, you can always call your mechanic.
#2. For sticky calipers or faulty brake pads.
Fixing a sticky brake caliper is not a complicated process. Still, since you are dealing with a significant part of your brake system, you need to be inclined mechanically to perform this repair.
To get this done, you will have to lift the side of the affected wheel using your jacks, or you can use a car lift to raise your entire vehicle.
Once you’ve done that, unbolt your brake caliper with the right socket and remove the caliper from its bracket and detach the brake pads.
Use a brake cleaner to clean your caliper to wipe off any dust, debris, or grease on its surface.
Also, clean the caliper pins. Inspect your brake pads. If you discover any damage, you should replace it.
After that, lubricate the caliper pins and place them back on your brake pads. You might need some brake caliper tools to do this properly.
Then place your caliper back to its bracket and tighten the caliper into position. You can now couple your wheels back and lower your vehicle.
#3. For Damaged Master Cylinder.
If your master cylinder is discovered to be faulty, you need to replace the cylinder. Get a recommended master cylinder and install, change your old brake fluid and bleed your brakes. You can check our previous article on how to bleed brakes.
Check the whole of your wheels and wipe off any droplets of brake fluid. Fixing this issue can also prevent your brake locked up while parked for a long time.
How to Prevent Brake Lock-Up: Tips for Vehicle Maintenance
Preventing brake lock-up requires regular maintenance and early detection of potential problems. Here are a few essential tips to keep your braking system functioning properly:
- Check Brake Fluid Regularly: Ensure that you have the correct brake fluid and that it’s topped off. Low or contaminated fluid can cause erratic brake behavior.
- Replace Brake Pads When Needed: Don’t wait for your brake pads to wear out completely. Replace them before they become too thin.
- Get Regular Brake Inspections: Regular inspections from a trusted mechanic can help detect early signs of brake issues, preventing costly repairs down the road.
- Pay Attention to Brake Pedal Feel: If the brake pedal feels soft or spongy, it could be a sign of air in the brake lines or low brake fluid.
- Avoid Excessive Braking in Hot Conditions: Give your brakes time to cool down, especially if you’ve been using them heavily.
By following these guidelines and scheduling regular maintenance, you can prevent brake lock-up while driving and ensure your vehicle’s braking system is always in top condition.
FAQs.
Q: Will a bad brake booster cause brakes to lock up?
A lousy brake booster is considered to be one of the causes of a locked-up brake. The booster helps to make your brake system more efficient by providing a smooth flow of brake fluid from your master cylinder as you increase pressure on your brakes.
A damaged brake booster can make your brake pedal challenging to engage or feel spongy, making it less effective. It might be even lead to a complete shutdown of your brake system if not handled on time.
So if you are asking if will a bad brake booster cause brakes to lock up, then your answer is YES.
Q: What does it mean when the brake pedal is hard to push down?
Modern brake systems are designed with a brake booster, and this booster has a vacuum diaphragm that helps increase the force you apply on your pedal while driving, making it very easy for you to use your brakes.
When you apply your brakes, your vacuum is closed, and this allows atmospheric pressure to go into a side of your vacuum diaphragm.
This will make your cylinders to be able to apply brakes. When you take off your foot from the pedal, the vacuum will return to the two sides of your diaphragm, and your cylinders get back to their usual position.
So when your brake pedal is difficult to push down, it means that your vacuum diaphragm in your brake booster is faulty and cannot move, so this will increase the force needed to apply your brakes, making it very difficult.
Q: Can a master cylinder cause brakes to lock up?
When your brake calipers and other brake parts are fully functional, and you still have brake locking up issues, the problem is mostly with your master cylinder. The master cylinder is among the essential components of your brake system.
It is the valve that forces your brake fluid to pass through the brake lines, so your calipers can press your brake pads against the surface of the rotors. If this main component is damaged, your brakes will lock up.
Q: Will air in brake lines cause brakes to lock up?
Suppose air enters your brake lines, whether, from an incorrect bleeding process or a leakage point on your brake line, your pedal will be forced to compress the air instead of the brake fluid.
This makes your brakes poorly function and might eventually lead to your brakes locking up if there is high air accumulation in your brake lines.
Q: What should I do if my brakes are locked up?
As a driver, you need to know what to do when your brakes lock up in case of any unforeseen circumstances. If this happens while driving, the first thing is to be calm, so you don’t make any anxious decisions.
Turn your vehicle’s hazard lights ON and look for a safe place on the road to park your vehicle.
You can also continuously use your horn to alert other motorists that you have issues with your brake system. Do not put off your engine until your vehicle has come to a stop.
If you were driving at a speed of below 40 mph, you could try activating your parking brake to put your vehicle to stop. If you are driving at a higher speed, do not use parking brakes. We can also help you out in situations like this.
Final Words
When you notice any issues with your vehicle brake system, that might lead to brake pedal hard and brake lock-up, you should get your vehicle inspected immediately to avert any unfortunate incident.
You can get to us via email or in the comment box below for other information on how to fix locked-up brakes.