Low Brake Pedal Caused by Bad Wheel Bearing

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Typically, when vehicles come into a shop with a low or spongy brake pedal, most mechanics assume the problem lies in the hydraulic system. It may be a faulty master cylinder, a leak in the brake lines or a bad caliper. However, the cause of a low brake pedal doesn't always lie in the hydraulic system. In this video, we show you how a faulty or loose wheel bearing can lead to a low brake pedal.
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We recently had a vehicle come into our shop with a low brake pedal. Another shop diagnosed the problem as a faulty master cylinder. However, after replacing the master cylinder, the low brake pedal remained.
We assumed that there was a problem in the hydraulics system somewhere. We got the car in the air and were preparing to perform an isolation/line lock test. Before we started the test, we wanted to run through our brake inspection checklist. As part of that checklist, we checked the play in the wheel bearing. We found significant play in the bearing.
Brake rotors are held in alignment by wheel bearings. If you have a faulty or loose wheel bearing, the rotor will wobble on its axis. This will cause the rotor to push the caliper piston into its bore. Now, when you hit the brake pedal, the piston has to travel farther than normal to apply the brakes. This causes a low or spongy brake pedal.
In summary, don't always assume that the cause of a low brake pedal lies in the hydraulic system. Always run through your normal brake inspection to determine if there's another explanation.

[@eriklarrison4996]

Thank you so much my car has had a soft break pedal for six months I changed everything in the brake system looked for leaks and power bleed it so many times! On top of taking it to three different mechanics that couldn’t figure out what’s wrong with it! I jacked it up and took of the tire and the hub has play in it so I guarantee that’s what it is!

[@DrFillyBlunt]

I didn't know that a bad wheel bearing could cause a low pedal. Coincidentally I've got a bad wheel bearing and a pedal with a huge deadzone. It's always like this though, not just after the first application of the brakes. I know little about this but I'm glad people like yourself are taking the time out to let us know.

[@haroldencarnacion1042]

Hi, I got a similar issue. (huge deadzone) If you go out to fix it, Please, writeback if replacing the Wheel Bearing fixes your issue

[@KardiFan2000]

Great video. I have a similar issue with my Ford vehicle and figured that it was the wheel bearing pushing the rotor back onto the caliper piston. Thank you for confirming this!

[@gearheadautomotivel.l.c.5476]

Nicely done. Always good to remember how systems interconnect and affect each other. It's easy to get tunnel vision and prematurely narrow your focus before you consider all the parts that are working together.

[@g____-590]

After 5 hour of research and chat GTP. Nicelydone👍🏽

[@Jcas765]

This happened to me! Replaced wheel bearing and brake pedal is back to working normally!

[@boostedlancer7957]

Save my life i was crazy looking at the problem till i saw this .. same exact thing happened in my car .. thanks 👍🏼

[@omahsone2108]

Thanks mate, pretty sure I'm missing a washer in the stub axle assembly behind the nut resulting in play of the wheel bearing on the stub axle, of course now after watching this I'm no longer freaking out about my breaks also not working as I was hoping this was actually what was happening and turns out it is. What a difference a simple washer makes cars stranded 2 hours away hopefully now I don't need to pay for a trailer and can just find a correct washer/spacer to suit. Thanks for the video mate

[@lightning1896]

thank you!!! this helped me understand a question for the brakes ASE test

[@dohctorzc]

Very overlooked great job!

[@hammadmadi4285]

Wow I have so many channels subscribed but your eaching method is exceptional and easy to understands thanks sir

[@jdmartinez4238]

Great video brother same issue with my chevy tahoe 2003

[@alessandrozavagno5359]

Good video explanation af a problem so little known. World is full of people who wasted lot of money changing brake system parts unnecessarily.

[@hammadmadi4285]

GREAT KNOWLEDGE 👍

[@christhrockmorton4828]

Where can I get that brake mock up? It would be perfect when I'm trying to teach exactly that problem and basic operation of the calipers.

[@lucianoandrade8151]

Will a bad wheel bearing cause a rumble when applying brakes? I have new caliper , new rotor and new pads . I noticed yesterday when I moved tire at 6 and 12 o clock the the wheel had play. would this play cause my brake to rumble/humm when applying brake?

[@mikecox4119]

Ok but what if it's good.on first pump and the second pump is to the floor?

[@JuskoLord247]

Yeah but isn't it the car vibrates while driving if that's the case in the first place? Or steering wheel vibrate when hitting the brakes?

[@historyhunter5215]

Well dang..... now I know....