Subaru Outback Brake pedal is spongy Inspection at your home or office.

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Brake pedal is spongy Inspection Service

How much does a Brake pedal is spongy Inspection cost?

On average, the cost for a Subaru Outback Brake pedal is spongy Inspection is $95 with $0 for parts and $95 for labor. Prices may vary depending on your location.

CarServiceEstimateShop/Dealer Price
2003 Subaru OutbackH6-3.0LService typeBrake pedal is spongy InspectionEstimate$114.99Shop/Dealer Price$124.99 - $132.49
2019 Subaru OutbackH6-3.6LService typeBrake pedal is spongy InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.01 - $112.52
2006 Subaru OutbackH4-2.5LService typeBrake pedal is spongy InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.01 - $112.52
2009 Subaru OutbackH4-2.5LService typeBrake pedal is spongy InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$104.99 - $112.48
2013 Subaru OutbackH6-3.6LService typeBrake pedal is spongy InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.02 - $112.55
2020 Subaru OutbackH4-2.5LService typeBrake pedal is spongy InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.01 - $112.52
2004 Subaru OutbackH4-2.5LService typeBrake pedal is spongy InspectionEstimate$99.99Shop/Dealer Price$109.87 - $117.28
2022 Subaru OutbackH4-2.4L TurboService typeBrake pedal is spongy InspectionEstimate$99.99Shop/Dealer Price$110.24 - $117.94
Show example Subaru Outback Brake pedal is spongy Inspection prices

When you press your brake pedal, it should feel firm and solid. There should be only minimal travel in the pedal before the brakes are engaged, and it should not require significant effort to slow or stop your vehicle. If you’ve noticed your brake pedal feels spongy or soft, there’s a problem with the system that must be identified and repaired immediately.

How this system works:

The “feel” of your brake pedal is created by fluid pressure in the master cylinder and the brake lines. When you press the pedal to slow or stop your car, the master cylinder responds by pushing fluid into the lines that feed the calipers and drums (depending on your vehicle, you may have disc brakes in the front and drums in the rear, or you may have disc brakes on all four wheels).

Once the fluid reaches the calipers, they activate a piston that closes the caliper on the rotor, squeezing it between two brake pads. In the case of drum brakes, an actuator is activated, which pushes the shoes outward against the inner surface of the drum.

In a normally operating system, you should feel little to no difference in the firmness of the brake pedal during any part of operation. However, there are several potential problems that could lead to a spongy or soft pedal feel.

Common reasons for this to happen:

  • Air in the Lines: If air gets into the brake lines, either due to low brake fluid in the master cylinder or from other source, it will create a spongy feel and reduce your stopping ability. This is sometimes a common occurrence after an inexpert brake pad replacement or repair. Air should be bled from the system after every repair to ensure proper operation and safety.

  • Damaged Caliper: Another potential problem that could cause a spongy brake pedal is a damaged brake caliper. If the caliper’s piston seal has started to leak, this will create a soft pedal. Brake fluid may also contaminate the surface of the rotor and/or brake pads, leading to further problems.

  • Master Cylinder Wear: If your master cylinder is older, it can sustain enough wear and tear that it loses fluid pressure. This is generally caused by a fluid leak at the master cylinder. Again, any loss of fluid pressure will lead to a brake pedal that feels spongy or soft.

  • Brake Line Damage: Your vehicle has both rubber and metal brake lines, and either type can be damaged. When this happens, the line may become crimped, which reduces the flow of fluid through it, or it may begin leaking, which will reduce overall pressure. Both conditions lead to a spongy or soft brake pedal.

  • Moisture in Brake Fluid: If your brake fluid hasn’t been changed in a while, there’s a good chance that it has absorbed moisture. Moisture can be absorbed through the pores on rubber brake lines, leading to a spongy or soft brake pedal.

What to expect:

A top-rated mobile mechanic will come to your home or office to inspect the entire brake system, including the master cylinder, the brake lines, the calipers, rotors and pads. The mechanic will then provide a detailed inspection report that includes the scope and cost of the necessary repairs.

How it's done:

The mechanic will need to inspect the entire system, with a particular focus on problems that cause air to be trapped in the lines, or that lead to low fluid levels in the brake system. The mechanic will need to inspect the calipers, the brake lines, the master cylinder and other components in order to determine the actual underlying cause of the problem.

How important is this service?

If you’re experiencing a spongy brake pedal, it’s a critical situation. Air in the lines or low brake fluid can compromise your safety on the road. Your brakes are the single most important safety system on your vehicle, and they must be professionally maintained at all times. One of our mechanics can inspect, diagnose and repair your car to ensure that you’re safe while driving.

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Meet some of our expert Subaru mechanics

Real customer reviews from Subaru owners like you.

Excellent Rating

(700)

Rating Summary
661
21
5
2
11
661
21
5
2
11

Joshua

27 years of experience
709 reviews
Joshua
27 years of experience
Subaru Outback H4-2.5L - Crankshaft Harmonic Balancer - Berkeley, California
Joshua is an outstanding mechanic. He is friendly, trustworthy, and he gets the job done FAST. Yesterday, he helped me swap out the harmonic balancer and replace the worn drive belts in my car. Despite working in the rain and on the side of a Berkeley street, he managed to get the car going in just 40 minutes. Would definitely recommend.

Khoa

20 years of experience
402 reviews
Khoa
20 years of experience
Subaru Outback H4-2.5L - Oxygen Sensor Replacement (Rear/Lower/Downstream) - Belmont, California
very courteous and prompt.

Stephen

32 years of experience
178 reviews
Stephen
32 years of experience
Subaru Outback H6-3.6L - Power Steering Pump - Lafayette, Colorado
Great, honest mechanic

Derek

23 years of experience
71 reviews
Derek
23 years of experience
Subaru Outback H4-2.5L - Oil Change - Englewood, Colorado
What a great service model -- so much more convenient than managing the logistics of getting the car to the dealer or garage and figuring out rides to and from work. As all the other reviewers have noted, Derek was absolutely fantastic -- consummate professional, great communicator, checked out our (somewhat vague) concerns about the brakes and assured us that all looked good (though offered to replace if we chose to go that route), and took the time to explain everything he found and fixed. This was a fabulous car repair experience with a wonderful mechanic!

Excellent Rating

(700)

Rating Summary
661
21
5
2
11
661
21
5
2
11
Number of Subaru Outback services completed
7700+
services done by our mechanics
TOTAL NUMBER OF EXPERT Subaru MECHANICS
700+
experts on our platform

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