Brake Pedal Goes to the Floor in Hillsboro, KS
The short answer
A brake pedal that goes to the floor means the brakes have lost hydraulic pressure, usually from a leak or a failed master cylinder, so stop driving it now and call us.
It can happen on an ordinary trip, rolling up to the stop sign at the edge of town when the pedal sinks all the way down and the car only stops because you grabbed the parking brake and steered for the shoulder. Your heart is pounding, and the car is safe where it sits. Leave it parked and call, and we will come and get it.
Call or text (620) 416-0008. Describe the noise. We'll do the rest.
We answer texts the same day we get them.
A sinking pedal, decoded
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Text us which onesHow we fix a brake pedal that goes to the floor
We get it off the road first. We come and get it rather than asking you to drive it, because there is no safe way to test a pedal that has gone to the floor on a public road.
We find the failure, then look for the next one. When one rusted line lets go, the lines next to it are often close behind, so we check the whole run rather than patching one spot.
We repair it properly and bleed the system with fresh fluid. New lines, hoses or a new master cylinder, whatever failed, followed by a full bleed so the pedal comes back firm and high.
We road-test it before you get it back. The pedal has to be firm and the car has to stop straight, and you approve every repair before we start.
Why Hillsboro calls Moxie when the pedal drops
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We come and get it
Free pickup and delivery within 40 road miles of the shop, so you never drive on failed brakes.
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Warranty good at over 17,000 shops
Brake repairs carry the NAPA nationwide warranty for 24 months or 24,000 miles.
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An ASE-certified technician
Our technician is ASE certified in engine repair, automatic transmissions and drivetrains, and Moxie pays for ASE testing for the whole team.
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You approve it first
We explain what failed and what it costs, and nothing gets done until you say so.
Call or text (620) 416-0008. Describe the noise. We'll do the rest.
Brake pedal myths we hear at the counter
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Sounds like yours? Tell us what it is doing and we will tell you straight.
Can I keep driving?
No, stop driving it and call us.
A pedal that reaches the floor cannot be trusted to stop the car next time, even if it came back up. If it happens while you are driving, pump the pedal quickly, shift to a lower gear, pull the parking brake on gently and steer somewhere safe. Once you are stopped, leave it there. We will come and get it for free within 40 miles of the shop, and if you are farther out, call anyway and we will help you work out the safest way to get it to us.
Stop driving and call us if
- The pedal goes further down than normal, even once
- You have to pump the pedal to get the car to stop
- You see fluid leaking near a wheel or under the car
- The red brake warning light comes on
- You heard a pop or a hiss and then the pedal dropped
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What makes a brake pedal drop around here
- Steel brake lines rusted through by years of road salt, which is common on older vehicles here
- A burst or cracked rubber brake hose near a wheel
- A master cylinder whose internal seals have worn out
- A leaking caliper or rear wheel cylinder
- A fluid level that dropped low enough to pull air into the system
- Brake fluid that boiled on a long, hard stop while towing
How we diagnose a brake pedal that goes to the floor in Hillsboro
- We bring it in on our truck, so nobody has to test those brakes on the road.
- We check the fluid level and look under the car for where the fluid went.
- We trace every line and hose from the master cylinder to all four wheels.
- We check each caliper and wheel cylinder for leaks and test the master cylinder for holding pressure.
- Then we show you what failed, what it costs, and anything else we noticed that should be done at the same time.
A brake pedal that goes to the floor across five Kansas counties
We look after drivers across Marion County, Harvey County, McPherson County, Chase County and Lyon County, with free pickup and delivery within 40 road miles of 611 Orchard Dr, Hillsboro.
Questions about a brake pedal that goes to the floor
What should I do if it happens while I am driving?
Pump the pedal fast, because that can build enough pressure for one more stop. Shift to a lower gear to let the engine slow you, pull the parking brake on gently rather than all at once, and steer toward the shoulder or a clear spot. Once you are stopped, turn on the hazard lights and call us.
Can I drive it slowly to the shop if I am careful?
No, please do not. A pedal that has gone to the floor once can do it again with no warning, and slow driving does not help if the car will not stop. Leave it parked, and we will come and get it within 40 miles of the shop.
Is this the same thing as a soft brake pedal?
They are related, and a soft pedal is often the early stage. A soft pedal is losing some pressure, while a pedal on the floor has lost most of it. Both mean stop and call, but if yours has reached the floor, the problem has already gone further.