Im pretty sure I have a wheel bearing going out at 26,000 miles. Washed the car last week and it started almost immediately so Im guessing some water made its way into the bearing assembly. But here is my question. Could this affect brake feel? Ive noticed that when I depress my brake pedal, the pedal will travel past the normal engagement point before braking occurs. Once I release the pedal and depress it again, the normal feeling comes back and the engagement point is higher. Then as soon as I start driving, the cycle starts over again. This is getting frustrating with such a low milage car, I just had to replace the MAF last week. Going to the dealer tomorrow so Ill let you know what I hear back. Thanks guys!

 

I highly doubt you got water into a wheel bearing, even if you did, it wouldn't instantly ruin it. Lets us know what they say. It could be several things.

 

I never heard of water getting in to the bearing just from washing the car. The bearings got very tight seals on them. Its gotta be something else. Let us know what you find out.

 

Is this a test for a wheel bearing? I thought it was raising a car and moving the wheel sideway and up and down.

What you describe would have more to do with the braking system. Well, for one, it could just be in your head, but if it actually happens, then it would have to do with the brake fluid, or the brake master cylinder.

I would completely flush and replace the fluid first.

But also do the normal wheel bearing tests. I suppose that if the wheels shake enough, they could back out the brake pads, where you have to press harder to get them to sit on the disk again. But I think you'd feel a bad bearing, if only from the whine coming from the wheel.

 

Bad bearings make terrible noises...sometimes..usually when turning one direction or the other depending upon which wheel bearing.

 

Brake issues, and wheel bearings issues are two separate instances, one has nothing to do with the other !
What you are describing sounds like you have a faulty ( leaking) circuit.
Check all brake lines for damage or leaks for starters..

Wheel bearing noise is very distinct, sounds like your on a train, at high speeds there is a shimmy in the steering wheel you can't get rid of, and you know for a fact that your wheels are balanced.

Excessive runout in the rotor can cause this as well.

 

It's possible that the pedal might feel weird. But the wheel bearing would have to be basically gone/disintegrated. Happened to my old pontiac boneville (winter beater). Got so bad the wheel was actually wobbling down the road. Some scary stuff right there. I just rode it out to see how long it would last. Ended up replacing the whole hub. But yes, brakes felt funny because of this. Anyway... hopefully you didn't let the car get THAT bad.

 

I agree - it is NOT a wheel bearing.


I would:
1. Check brake fluid level
2. Look for leaks at each wheel caliper
3. Monitor to see if it gets worse - it may be the master cylinder getting ready to fail.

 

At the very least bleed the lines. Maybe the initial pressing of the pedal pumps some of the trapped air out.

And once you park, maybe a break in the line or a low fluid level in the reservoir lets some air back in and it becomes spongy again.

This definitely has to do with the brakes.

 

^ I disagree. Air in the lines makes the first pedal travel 'spongy' and would not go away by pumping the brakes. The air bubble in the line simply 'compresses' and does not move the caliper piston. Air does not 'move' or migrate in brakes. Versus in the power steering system, where the fluid flows through the system and is 'open' to atmosphere in the pump/reservoir. That is why 'bleeding' a power steering system means simply cycling the steering with the engine (pump) running.


Air enters to displace fluid.
Yes, if there was leak - it would be when you pressed the brake pedal (not just 'sitting while parked') and the fluid would be displaced by air - and continue to get worse and worse (which is not what OP is describing).

 

I agree, just tossing out possibilities - even if remote - to point towards the braking system, and not bearings.