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    Clough's Avatar
    Clough Posts: 26,677, Reputation: 1649
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    #1

    Mar 26, 2010, 07:03 PM
    Brake Fluid Has Been Getting Lower in the Fluid Cylinder. Is Failure Imminent?
    Hi, All!

    I was told by someone, who is not a mechanic by trade, that my brake fluid was getting lower in the fluid cylinder and that I needed a brake job.

    There don't appear to be any leaks, my brakes seem to work fine and there are no noises.

    He made it seem like brake failure was imminent. Could that be true, please?

    Thanks!
    KISS's Avatar
    KISS Posts: 12,510, Reputation: 839
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    #2

    Mar 26, 2010, 07:17 PM

    Brake fluid will not evaporate.
    Brake fluid will absorb water.

    If brake fluid is missing, you have a leak or someone removed some, so you have a leak.

    Leaks can occur in the master cylinder or at the hydraulics at the wheels. If you park your car up or down a hill normally, the lowest end will be the likely failure.

    Don't know if you have discs or drums.

    You must do a physical brake inspection.
    Clough's Avatar
    Clough Posts: 26,677, Reputation: 1649
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    #3

    Mar 26, 2010, 07:37 PM
    What about the pads and shoes wearing down? Doesn't that happening cause the brake fluid to go down in the cylinder?

    Thanks!
    KISS's Avatar
    KISS Posts: 12,510, Reputation: 839
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    #4

    Mar 26, 2010, 08:24 PM

    It would go down some. A brake fluid level range should be on the master cylinder resovour.

    Actually what I do is get some history of the last brake interval and use near that same mileage to do an inspection. Without any history, I'd be doing one at 25,000K miles.

    It's also a good idea to flush the brake fluid every 3 years.
    TxGreaseMonkey's Avatar
    TxGreaseMonkey Posts: 16,761, Reputation: 5597
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    #5

    Mar 27, 2010, 10:11 AM

    It's best to completely change the brake fluid every two years. Besides eliminating air and moisture, it replenishes the anti-corrosion properties of the fluid. Corrosion often causes leaks, by damaging the seals.
    squibnic's Avatar
    squibnic Posts: 11, Reputation: 1
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    #6

    Mar 27, 2010, 02:02 PM

    As brake pads and shoes wear, the fluid in the reservoir will transfer to the calipers and or wheel cylinders, this is normal, if there are no leaks, (some leaks are no obvious) this is probably an indicator that the pads and/or shoes are wearing thin,oh, and complete replacement of fluid is always a good idea, I change mine every time I do the brakes,
    This is only my thoughts on this issue

    Squib
    tomdel45's Avatar
    tomdel45 Posts: 45, Reputation: 1
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    #7

    Mar 28, 2011, 05:47 AM
    When your brake pads get worn the brake fliud seems to be missing. That's not true. It just mean that the cylinder is being push out more and causeing to use more fluid. Get someone to check your pads even if you thing your brakes are fine and you don't hear any noise. Don't wait to hear noise .
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