Can ABS Cause Brake Pedal Go to the Floor – Worth to Know

Are you driving your vehicle with a sinking brake pedal? If the answer is yes, this article is for you.

Yes, a problem associated with ABS can cause a sinking brake pedal. Other than that, there are many reasons which may cause your brake pedal to go to the floor.

At the end of the article, you will know not only the things that cause the brake pedal to go to the floor, but also the root causes for them and the solutions.

Refer to this table to get a slight idea.

Problem	Root cause	Solution
Fluid leak	Worn out seals of ABS module Cracked or brittle rubber hose Damaged brake line	Check and replace the seals Cut out and replace the cracked section Replace the brake line
Air in brake lines	Improper brake bleeding Leaking brake lines Low brake fluid	Bleed brake lines manually or using a scanning tool
Problems with brake shoes	Misaligned brake shoes Worn out brake shoes	Check and adjust the shoes
Issues with master cylinder	Worn out seals Internal leaks Physically damaged master cylinder	Check and replace the seals Replace the master cylinder if it is damaged

 Let’s take a close look.

Fluid Leak

Leaks prevent the correct amount of hydraulic fluid from passing through the master cylinder, which prevents you from using your brakes effectively and makes a spongy brake pedal.

Reasons:

• Worn-out seals of ABS module
• Cracked or brittle rubber hose
• Damaged brake line

Solution:                                                                                                                                       

First, you have to find the place where oil is being leaked. Place newspaper on the ground underneath the vehicle if the leak is small or difficult to find. Then, while the vehicle is stationary and the engine is off, frequently press the stop pedal.

This should force brake fluid through any leaking components, which will be detected upon examination or will appear in the newspaper. A fluid leak might be on the ABS module, rubber hose, or in the brake line.

If the leakage is from the abs module, most of the time, bad abs seals are the reason that causes leakage. You have to check out to replace the ABS module seals if they are damaged or worn out.

You can cut out and replace the cracked section of the rubber hose but, it is better to replace rather than repair it.

If you found damaged brake line, replace it with a new one.

Air in the Brake Lines

As brake fluid cannot be compressed as tightly as air, hydraulic pressure is wasted. The air in your brake lines causes you to need to fully depress the brake pedal as a result.

Reasons:

• Improper Brake Bleeding
• Leaking Brake Lines
• Low Brake Fluid

Solution:

Brakes should be bled manually or using a scanning tool to remove air bubbles from brake lines. As air enters the brake lines by damaged points, you should replace damaged brake lines to prevent it.

If the brake fluid is low, air fills the space left by the diminished brake fluid. Air eventually finds its way into the reservoir and the remaining brake system parts, including your brake lines, over time.

Air enters the system each time you remove the cap to check the level of your brake fluid. When the fluid is at the proper level, air is not a big issue.

Problems with Brake Shoes

If the brake pedal on your car travels to the floor, the brake shoes may not be in alignment or have been worn out.

Reasons:

• Misaligned brake shoes
• Worn-out brake shoes

Solution:

Other than sinking the brake pedal, if you hear squealing noises when braking or have loosed parking brake brakes shoes might need to be misaligned or worn out. If the shoes are not too worn, adjusting them will fix the issue.

Issues with the Master Cylinder

Due to aging and use, a master cylinder may malfunction. The main valve that directs braking fluid into your brake lines is the master cylinder. Your brake fluid-required lines do not receive it when the cylinder is failing. As a result, there is no pressure, allowing your brake to depress to the floor.

Reasons:

• Worn out seals
• Internal leaks
• Physically damaged master cylinder

Solutions:

Your brake master cylinder’s seals may begin to leak after a few years of wear and tear. Instead of having to replace the entire cylinder, this kind of leak may be repairable. Nonetheless, you should replace your master cylinder if it is damaged or malfunctioning.

After replacing the master cylinder, you have to bleed ABS to remove air that entered the brake lines during the repair.

This video shows explains symptoms of bad master cylinder.

How to test the master cylinder?

Press and hold the plunger in the master cylinder’s back by using a screwdriver. The plunger should be exceedingly stiff, if not fully immovable, after a few millimeters. If the plunger continues to move in, at least one of the internal seals is broken.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS(FAQs):

Is it safe to drive if the brake pedal goes to the floor?

Definitely No, this is a serious problem. The brake pedal going to the floor means brake shoes don’t receive enough pressure to stop the wheels. You have to diagnose and repair the issue with cause this as soon as possible.

Why does my brake pedal stay down?

The lack of a pedal rebound indicates that the brake lines have likely lost some pressure. Typically, the booster or the master cylinder is at fault.

How should a brake pedal feel?

When pressed, brake pedals should always feel solid. A spongy brake pedal is a sign that your car’s braking system is failing, so you should get it checked out right away if your pedals ever feel soft and spongy.

How hard must I press on the brake to stop the car?

That depends entirely on how quickly you want to stop. And you must realize that using your breaks as efficiently as possible will allow you to stop a car that is moving quickly. This is a skill that is more effectively learned through practice and experimentation than it is through formal instruction.

Conclusion

I feel this post was helpful in making sense of your problem.

Other than ABS many other problems may result in the brake pedal going to the floor such as, fluid leaks, the air in brake lines, problems with brake shoes, and issues with the master cylinder. Each case is explained in detail, along with the corresponding solutions.