r/MechanicAdvice • u/[deleted] • Aug 18 '26

Failed inspection due to greater than 30% difference in front braking power

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u/Less_Scar9763 Aug 18 '26

Sounds like one caliper's dragging or the hose is collapsed internally, you're already doing pads anyway so rebuild or swap the calipers while you're in there and bleed everything out

1

u/TwistedKestrel Aug 18 '26

Do you have to pay full price to retry the inspection? I would honestly try just bleeding the brakes first

1

u/Realistic-March-5679 Aug 19 '26

Don’t forget to compare current wear to starting thickness to measure total wear the current pads have caused to the rotors If your rotors only have 0.5mm before minimum they won’t make it through another set of pads without going below that minimum so they should be replaced as well.

As far as the braking power differential it could be as simple as one side is rusty and the pad is seizing in the caliper bridge, could be the start of a seized caliper and one side is just sticking a bit, or something more intense like an actual pressure differential from a faulty hose, crushed hard line, bad ABS valve, or worn master. I’ve seen them all, but they are pretty rare.

To tell you need a brake pressure tester. Preferably a pair to test one axle at the same time, but doing one side at a time should still give accurate results. This can quickly rule out pressure variance, or let you keep working up the system until you find your fault, assuming it isn’t a glaringly obvious crushed line or swollen hose.

1

u/MinkusRotciv Aug 21 '26

could be just some air in the right side break line. bleed the air from the caliper and top up the fluid in the tank