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What causes spongy brakes?

In: Brakes and Tires [Edit categories]

Answer:

"Spongy" brakes on any car are an indicator of air in the brake system. The most common way for air to enter the ststem is if the brake lines are disassembled during brake repairs. If your brakes have not been serviced, the most likely explaination is that you have a leak somewhere and you have depleted the brake fluid in the master cylinder reservoir.

ADDING MORE FLUID WILL NOT HELP. Once the fluid is depleted, the master cylinder pumps air into your system. Regardless of the source of the air, the system must be "bled" i.e. air sucked out of the lines. If you do not know why you lost brake fluid, find the leak and fix it first.

First answer by Nineteen Kilo. Last edit by Nineteen Kilo. Contributor trust: 31 [recommend contributor ]. Question popularity: 6 [recommend question].

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