Brakes must be pumped to work Inspection

SKU 20546 Category

Brakes must be pumped to work Inspection

How this system works:

Your brakes work on fluid pressure. If the braking system cannot build up the pressure necessary to operate the system, your pedal will feel strange. In some cases, it will be spongy and soft. In others, you’ll have to pump the brakes.

When you press the brake pedal, the master cylinder sends fluid into the lines, creating pressure. This activates the calipers, which squeeze the rotor on each wheel between the brake pads. Drum brakes work on a similar basis, but fluid pressure causes the actuator to press the shoes out against the sides of the drum to slow down the wheels.

However, if moisture has gotten into the system, the result can be similar. Water has a lower boiling point than brake fluid. When it’s heated at the brakes, it vaporises, creating air in the lines (and allowing compression – brake fluid cannot be compressed). If there isn’t enough pressure in the lines, this doesn’t happen.

Common reasons for this to happen:

  • Air in the Lines: The number one most common cause for pumping your brakes to get them to work is air in the lines. This may be because your brakes were recently serviced but not bled correctly. It requires bleeding each wheel several times, starting with the wheels farthest from the master cylinder (passenger rear, driver rear, then passenger front and driver front). Even after a basic service, it can take multiple bleeds to remove all the air from the lines. The fluid will then need to be topped off.
  • Low Brake Fluid: If your brake fluid is low (and it’s not due to brake pad wear), then the system will be unable to create enough pressure for normal operation and you may have to pump the pedal. Generally, low fluid is caused by a leak somewhere in the system, including at the caliper, the brake lines, or even the master cylinder.
  • Failing Master Cylinder: While rare, master cylinder failure does occur. If the master cylinder has begun leaking fluid down the back of the engine, you can expect to experience poor brake operation and reduced safety on the road.
  • Moisture in the Fluid: If your brake fluid has absorbed moisture (which is normal over time and through regularly wear and tear), you’ll notice reduced braking performance, including the possibility that you’ll have to pump the brake pedal in some situations.
  • Damaged or Missing Bleeder Valve: Each wheel should have a brake fluid bleeder valve on the line near the wheel hub. If one of yours has been damaged, you may be leaking fluid and allowing air into the line simultaneously.

What to expect:

A top-rated mobile mechanic will come to your home or office to inspect your car’s brake system. The mechanic will visually inspect the master cylinder, the brake lines, calipers, and the rest of the system in order to determine the underlying cause of the problem. The mechanic will then provide a detailed inspection report that includes the scope and cost of the necessary repairs.

How it’s done:

The mechanic will need to inspect the entire brake system, which may require removing one or more wheels. The mechanic will also need to check for air in the lines and leaks in the lines and at the master cylinder.

How important is this service?

If your brakes have to be pumped to work, your system needs immediate service. This indicates a significant problem, including air in the lines. It reduces your stopping capability on the road, which endangers you, your passengers, as well as others on the road. One of our mechanics can diagnose and repair the problem, ensuring that you’re safe while driving.

Description

Brakes must be pumped to work Inspection

How this system works:

Your brakes work on fluid pressure. If the braking system cannot build up the pressure necessary to operate the system, your pedal will feel strange. In some cases, it will be spongy and soft. In others, you’ll have to pump the brakes.

When you press the brake pedal, the master cylinder sends fluid into the lines, creating pressure. This activates the calipers, which squeeze the rotor on each wheel between the brake pads. Drum brakes work on a similar basis, but fluid pressure causes the actuator to press the shoes out against the sides of the drum to slow down the wheels.

However, if moisture has gotten into the system, the result can be similar. Water has a lower boiling point than brake fluid. When it’s heated at the brakes, it vaporises, creating air in the lines (and allowing compression – brake fluid cannot be compressed). If there isn’t enough pressure in the lines, this doesn’t happen.

Common reasons for this to happen:

  • Air in the Lines: The number one most common cause for pumping your brakes to get them to work is air in the lines. This may be because your brakes were recently serviced but not bled correctly. It requires bleeding each wheel several times, starting with the wheels farthest from the master cylinder (passenger rear, driver rear, then passenger front and driver front). Even after a basic service, it can take multiple bleeds to remove all the air from the lines. The fluid will then need to be topped off.
  • Low Brake Fluid: If your brake fluid is low (and it’s not due to brake pad wear), then the system will be unable to create enough pressure for normal operation and you may have to pump the pedal. Generally, low fluid is caused by a leak somewhere in the system, including at the caliper, the brake lines, or even the master cylinder.
  • Failing Master Cylinder: While rare, master cylinder failure does occur. If the master cylinder has begun leaking fluid down the back of the engine, you can expect to experience poor brake operation and reduced safety on the road.
  • Moisture in the Fluid: If your brake fluid has absorbed moisture (which is normal over time and through regularly wear and tear), you’ll notice reduced braking performance, including the possibility that you’ll have to pump the brake pedal in some situations.
  • Damaged or Missing Bleeder Valve: Each wheel should have a brake fluid bleeder valve on the line near the wheel hub. If one of yours has been damaged, you may be leaking fluid and allowing air into the line simultaneously.

What to expect:

A top-rated mobile mechanic will come to your home or office to inspect your car’s brake system. The mechanic will visually inspect the master cylinder, the brake lines, calipers, and the rest of the system in order to determine the underlying cause of the problem. The mechanic will then provide a detailed inspection report that includes the scope and cost of the necessary repairs.

How it’s done:

The mechanic will need to inspect the entire brake system, which may require removing one or more wheels. The mechanic will also need to check for air in the lines and leaks in the lines and at the master cylinder.

How important is this service?

If your brakes have to be pumped to work, your system needs immediate service. This indicates a significant problem, including air in the lines. It reduces your stopping capability on the road, which endangers you, your passengers, as well as others on the road. One of our mechanics can diagnose and repair the problem, ensuring that you’re safe while driving.

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What our customers have to say about Fixxr

Osweld Dube Prompt and Insightful

Monday July 28, 2025 I requested a quote to replace Brakes on my car and was booked immediately for 11:30am. Osweld arrived 30 minutes before and was helpful when I did not have the correct parts. Having spent the entire day to get the correct parts and do the replacement. Although I was not present during the replacement, my husband was, and he was very friendly and knowledgeable. Fantastic Service. I would hope to have him as the mechanic in my next round of repair/replacements.
Manet fernandez
30 July 2025

Minor service

No words can explain how excellent is Norman with his job. He is just an amazing mechanic who knows exactly what his doing and he did his job with so much care. Thank you.
Thando
28 July 2025

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Thank you for quick response and excellent service. I will definitely contact you again when I need assistance with my vehicle
Liana Hugo
28 July 2025

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Mlu is very thorough, professional, patient, has high technical expertise and is extremely knowledgeable. He gave me outstanding service, supplemntary support and expert advice. He did a stellar job. I would highly recommend him.
Sandisile Somnono
21 July 2025

Great mechanic

Osweld was great. Polite, helpful and knows what he is doing. Explained as he went along which was very helpful.
Sharon cort
8 July 2025

Oswald Dube

Such a great ambassador for your company. Well spoken, very knowledgeable. Great person to deal with.
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I recently had my brake discs and pads replaced on my Land Rover Discovery, and I couldn’t be more impressed with the service. The mechanic was exceptionally punctual, arriving exactly when promised—something that’s rare and greatly appreciated.

Throughout the job, he displayed a high level of professionalism and mechanical skill, completing the work efficiently and with clear attention to detail. What really stood out was his ability to explain everything in a way I could understand, along with sound recommendations on other areas that may need attention down the line—without any pressure to get extra work done immediately.

Overall, this was a smooth, stress-free experience and I’d confidently recommend him to any Land Rover owner looking for reliable, expert service.

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