Brakes are spongy, don't hold - disc brakes
- Air in brake line. Caused by inattention to master cylinder fluid level or by leakage. Locate problem and bleed brakes (Chapter 7).
- Brake pads or disc worn (Chapters 1 and 7).
- Brake fluid leak. See paragraph 1.
- Contaminated pads. Caused by contamination with oil, grease, brake fluid, etc. Renew the pads. Clean disc thoroughly with brake cleaner (Chapter 7).
- Brake fluid deteriorated. Fluid is old or contaminated. Drain system, replenish with new fluid and bleed the system (Chapter 7).
- Master cylinder internal parts worn or damaged causing fluid to bypass (Chapter 7).
- Master cylinder bore scratched by foreign material or broken spring. Repair or renew master cylinder (Chapter 7).
- Disc warped. Renew the disc (Chapter 7).
Brake lever or pedal pulsates - disc brakes
- Disc warped. Renew disc (Chapter 7).
- Axle bent. Renew axle (Chapter 7).
- Brake caliper bolts loose (Chapter 7).
- Brake caliper slider pins sticking, causing caliper to bind. Lubricate the slider pins and renew the dust boots if they have cracked (Chapter 7).
- Wheel warped or otherwise damaged (Chapter 7).
- Wheel bearings damaged or worn (Chapter 7).
Brakes drag - disc brakes
- Master cylinder piston seized. Caused by wear or damage to piston or cylinder bore (Chapter 7).
- Lever balky or stuck. Check pivot and lubricate (Chapter 7).
- Brake caliper binds. Caused by inadequate lubrication of slider pins (Chapter 7).
- Brake caliper piston seized in bore. Caused by wear or ingestion of dirt past deteriorated seal (Chapter 7).
- Brake pad damaged. Pad material separated from backing plate. Usually caused by faulty manufacturing process or from contact with chemicals. Renew pads (Chapter 7).
- Pads improperly installed (Chapter 7).