Are you concerned about some International 4300 hydraulic brake problems?
Overall, the brakes on your truck are among the most essential systems. After all, you want to make sure that you stay safe and are able to reach your destination without any problem.
This is why if your hydraulic brakes are giving you some problems, you may need to get your braking system inspected by a specialist and have some damaged components repaired before things take a turn for the worst.
Keep reading to have a better understanding of the causes of these hydraulic brake problems and what you can do about them.
International 4300 Hydraulic Brake Problems
Here are among the different causes of hydraulic brake problems in your truck:
1. Wear and tear
This is the most common reason why your hydraulic brake may start acting up. Your shoes and brake pads create friction required to brake. Now, there is a hydraulic system in your brakes, which then transfers this motion needed to have the brakes applied. But then, this friction causes the shoes and brake pads to eventually wear down.
As wear and tear happens in the system, there is more space created that means more brake fluid will be needed to occupy the extra space. This fluid is also transferred from your master cylinder tank and flows out normally to the calipers and wheel cylinders.
As time goes by, wear and tear is responsible for the drop in the fluid level in your master cylinder. Hence, you need to observe your fluid levels and have the shoes and brake pads replaced when these are worn out.
2. Corrosion and leakage
Your vehicle systems do not do well when there is corrosion. In your brakes, corrosion causes damage to the cylinders’ sealing surfaces, which then result in a leak. The cylinder has seals that hold pressure better and the fluid tends to run past these internal seals when there is damage to the cylinder because of corrosion. Hence, you need to replace your cylinder.
A leak in the wheel cylinders is also not a good thing since this causes air to enter the system each time you release the brakes. Unlike the brake fluid, air is compressible. Thus, there is a spongy feeling right behind your brake pedal. Hence, the brake pedal tends to move farther away before you even get to apply the brakes.
What You Can Do
When the brake system has air in it, technicians will have to perform a process called bleeding the brakes to purge the air in the system. This applies pressure that causes the air to be forced out of the opening and then releases this pressure.
It is essential to keep the brake system clean to ensure proper operation. As brake fluid gets contaminated as time goes by, you need to have it replaced as needed. There is debris coming from the wearing parts of the system, and this is followed by sludge buildup. Since these are heavy materials – heavier than your brake fluid – these contaminants collect in your wheel cylinders and calipers.
When you are unable to replace the fluid or you have your brake system seriously contaminated, some problems may arise. You may notice a pull in your steering when you brake. And after driving, your wheels may lock up. The pistons may also move out when you apply the brakes. Any corrosion in the cylinders will cause your pistons to stick. As a result, the brake will lock up or drag.
The outcome of these things is not good for your brakes as intense heat is generated, causing damage to the brakes. There is also material coming from the damaged brake hoses that further causes your brake cylinders to end up sticking.
Repairing the hydraulic brake is not entirely complex, as long as you perform the right techniques. You need to keep in mind key points such as adding brake fluid only from an unopened and brand new container, replacing your brake fluid every 2 to 3 years, flushing the brake system thoroughly prior performing any brake repair, and practicing cleanliness all throughout.
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Final Thoughts
The International 4300 hydraulic brake is generally reliable and should not present any issues, as long as you perform all the necessary maintenance routines and techniques to prevent further problems.
It is also essential to follow the reminders we have indicated in this post when it comes to the key points when repairing your hydraulic brake. These are important practices that will minimize the risk of damage to the braking system while at the same time fix any present issues and prevent them from recurring over time.