Break Fluid.

[Camalot]

Brake Fluid.

Hello, just a quick question.

My brakes make a squeek noise, and also, i topped up the brake fluid about 1-2months ago, i checked this morning and its dropped down to the minamum level again.

Is this normal, what could be the reasons?

I dont really know anything about cars, im a bit of a newbie, but am i right in thinking that the brakes could need changing?

My car - Ford Fiesta Chicane 1.25 Zetec 1997 - 101k mileage.

Thanks,
Adam.

 

[Lopéz]

It's brakes not breaks.

It the fluid level is dropping it can only be one of 2 things

1) It's leaking
2) The pads have worn down so far that the pistons are now almost permanently out of the caliper which makes the fluid level in the reservoir drop. When you replace the brake pads the level will rise again.

If it is starting to squeal then your front pads may well be getting low. Have a look, on some calipers you don't even need to take the wheel off to check.

 

[beermonster]

You can usually do a visual on the brakes to see how worn they are, i would assume as the piston pushes out more due to wear the fluid level drops so its normal over time. The squeak could a be a wear indicator some pads have a metal strip that indicates when they're on the limit.

if in doubt take to a reputable garage for a 2nd opinion.

 

[Camalot]

It's brakes not breaks.

It the fluid level is dropping it can only be one of 2 things

Thanks for the spelling correction. By the way its "IF" not "IT"

I'll try have a look at the brakes, cheers.

(Not really sure what i'm looking for though )

 

[Hawk Tuah]

Thanks for the spelling correction. By the way its "IF" not "IT"

I'll try have a look at the brakes, cheers.

(Not really sure what i'm looking for though )

If you're not sure what you're looking for, take it to a garage.

They will tell you you need new pads and disks I bet you. Even if you dont.

 

[BigglesPiP]

Disks: Look at the inner ridge at the edge of the worn area, a small difference (couple of mm) can mean worn disks. Also worn disks make a whirring vibrating noise under heavy braking.
In the absence of asbestos in pads, disks are quickly worn now, I change disks every time I change pads, they're not expensive, cheaper than the pads actually.

Pads: If you have fairly open alloys like I do you will be able to see them very easily by looking from the top or bottom of the calliper, if you can see less than the published minimum pad material before the metal plate then you need pads.

It's really not complicated at all.