Brake pedal travel

2001 OLDSMOBILE ALERO
180,000 MILES • 3.8L • 6 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
Avatar
RETIREDNAVYMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
My car seems to have no brake pedal travel. The car stops but the pedal always seems to be at the end of the travel. Fluid level is normal, no leaks, no lights on dash.
Dec 28, 2018 at 6:03 AM
Advertisement
Avatar
ASEMASTER6371
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 52,796 POSTS
Good morning,

Do you mean the pedal is very high or you have to push it all the way down? The question is confusing.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/brake-pedal-goes-to-the-floor

Roy
Dec 28, 2018 at 6:50 AM
Avatar
RETIREDNAVYMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
The pedal is not high, it is like it is pushed down all the time and to stop the car it seems like it is all the way down and you just push hard on the pedal.
Dec 28, 2018 at 7:34 AM
Advertisement
Avatar
ASEMASTER6371
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 52,796 POSTS
Okay, got it thanks.

First, I would check the rod under the brake pedal to be sure it is not sticking and allowing the brake pedal to return.

Then, we look at the booster. does it have vacuum to the booster with the engine running? if it does not, check the hose back to the manifold for being broken or not connected.. if it does, then it could be a bad booster.

Next is the master cylinder. is the fluid level correct and no visible leaks in the system? this sounds more like your issue. it could be bad seals inside the cylinder not holding pressure when you push the pedal.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-brake-master-cylinder

when was the last time you changed the brake fluid? it should be done every 50,000 miles.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-bleed-or-flush-a-car-brake-system

Roy
Dec 28, 2018 at 7:41 AM