Feel, Hear, See, Smell: Feel Part 1

• Brake Pedal Moves Too Far To Apply The Brakes:
  When you step on the brake pedal, the pedal goes too far down before the brakes apply. This seems like it's getting worse as time goes by.

  Possible causes:
  

  1. Brake fluid is very low: Check the master cylinder fluid level and fill to the marked level.

  2. Brake fluid is contaminated with water, or has the wrong type of brake fluid: Replace the brake fluid with the fresh fluid of the proper type.

  3. Air in the hydraulic system: Bleed hydraulic system.

  4. Brake pads and/or brake shoes are worn out: Replace the brake pads/shoes as required.

  5. Bad power brake booster or booster check valve: Replace power brake booster or check valve.

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• Brake Pedal Feels Spongy:
  When you step on the brake pedal it feels very soft and mushy. It should feel firm and not excessively hard. Pumping the brake pedal may make it firm once again but the softness returns after you release the pedal.

  Possible causes:
  

  1. Leak in brake line or hose: Replace leaking brake lines and hoses.

  2. Air in the hydraulic system: Bleed hydraulic system.

  3. Brake fluid is contaminated with water, or has the wrong type of brake fluid: Replace the brake fluid with the fresh fluid of the proper type.

  4. Brake pads and/or brake shoes are worn out: Replace the brake pads/shoes as required.

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• The Clutch Pushes Down Easily And The Gears Won't Shift:
  When you step on the clutch pedal it goes straight to the floor and you cannot shift gears. The problem may or may not occur suddenly.

  Possible causes:
  

  1. The clutch cable is broken: Replace clutch cable.

  2. The clutch cable is disconnected: Reconnect clutch cable.

  3. There is no fluid in the hydraulic clutch circuit: Fill clutch master cylinder with the required fluid.

  4. There is a leak in the hydraulic clutch circuit: Locate and repair leak.

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• The Clutch Pedal Won't Move Down And The Gears Won't Shift:
  You step on the clutch pedal and it doesn't move. This will happen suddenly.

  Possible causes:
  

  1. The clutch cable is binding on something: Locate and repair bind or replace clutch cable.

  2. The clutch linkage is binding: Locate and repair bind.

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• Hard Gear Changes:
  When you put the transmission into gear you feel a jar or clunk. You feel the gears shifting harshly and immediately. Before you barely noticed gearshifts but you do now.

  Possible causes:
  

  1. The transmission fluid level is low: Fill transmission with proper amount and type of fluid.

  2. The fluid in your transmission is contaminated: Flush transmission and replace transmission filter. Refill with proper type and amount of transmission fluid.

  3. You have an internal problem in the transmission: Overhaul transmission.

  4. The idle speed of your engine is too high: Adjust idle speed.

  5. You have worn CV- or U-joints: Replace CV or U-joints.

  6. The throttle linkage for the transmission is out of adjustment or damaged: Adjust or replace transmission throttle linkage.

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• Down Shifting Seems Harsh:
  Whenever you let off the gas pedal after driving some time, the transmission seems to jerk into a lower gear. You especially notice the harshness of the shift when you press on the gas pedal for "passing gear." Passing gear is really the next lowest gear for the transmission. The transmission downshifts to provide more power for passing.

  Possible causes:
  

  1. The throttle linkage for the transmission is out of adjustment or damaged: Adjust or replace transmission throttle linkage.

  2. The fluid level in your transmission is incorrect: Fill transmission with proper amount and type of fluid.

  3. You have an internal problem in the transmission: Overhaul transmission.

  4. You have a problem with the engine: Locate and repair engine problem.

  5. There is a problem with the electrical controls for your transmission: Locate and repair transmission control problem.

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• The Steering Wheel Is Hard To Turn:
  

  Possible causes:
  

  1. It takes a lot of effort to turn the steering wheel. Before you could use one hand to turn the wheel easily. Now it takes two hands and some strength to turn the wheel. This may or may not occur suddenly.

  2. Air pressure on all of the car's tires is too low: Check and adjust tire pressures to specification.

  3. The wheels are out of alignment: Get a front end or four wheel alignment.

  4. The power steering gear or pump is bad: Repair or replace steering gear or power steering pump.

  5. The fluid level in the power steering reservoir is low: Fill power steering fluid to proper level.

  6. The power steering drive belt is damaged or broken: Replace power steering belt.

  7. The steering gear needs to be lubricated or repaired: Lubricate or repair/replace steering gear.

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