Question Hi Hannah I have two separate questions I drive a 04 Nissan Almera.  I have recently had my car serviced and almost immediately after that my brake pedal went soft – I returned it to the garage and that seemed to be that.  However I was in a lot of traffic the other week and the clutch went not completely soft but the pedal didn’t engage until I had my foot almost to the floor. That seems to have self rectified itself but am nervous it is a sign of more serious things to come.  Any advice? The second issue may be related but I am not sure, the car is making unusual sounds intermittently, generally the noise goes if I gear up or down – which makes me think it may also be related to the clutch.  It feels as if the engine is tight and struggling then I gear up or push through and it seems to work fine. Shivaun Quinlivan   Answer Hi Shivaun, There are a few reasons why a brake pedal goes soft, these include air in the system, leak on the master cylinder and a brake fluid leak from pipes, hoses and connections. The brake fluid and clutch fluid share the same reservoir and if air had got in the system this would make the pedal soft. The clutch pedal problem could be down to a defective clutch slave cylinder, clutch master cylinder but also linked to your second problem of clutch noise. The noise your describing sounds like the clutch thrust bearing. This is found within the bell housing. This means you need the thrust bearing replaced and I would also suggest the clutch is done at the same time. Hannah   Return to the list of questions     14th June, 2013    ...