If your brake pedal feels high and hard, what is the likely indication?

When the brake pedal feels high and hard, this indicates a potential failure in the power braking system, which is primarily designed to amplify the force applied by the driver to the brake pedal. A high and hard feeling in the brake pedal suggests that the power assist—typically provided by a vacuum booster or hydraulic system—is not functioning properly. This results in a direct mechanical connection between the pedal and the brake components without the enhanced force, making it difficult to apply sufficient stopping power.

Understanding how the braking system operates is crucial. In normal conditions, the power booster gives the driver more responsiveness with less effort. When this system fails, the driver will notice that they have to exert significantly more pressure on the pedal to achieve the same level of braking, which manifests as a hard-feeling pedal that doesn't depress easily.

The other options imply issues that do not align with the symptoms of a hard brake pedal. For example, a brake failure or deterioration would typically result in a spongy or soft feel, rather than a hard one, while a stuck pedal or wheels pushing into brake pads would not specifically cause the brake pedal mechanism to feel high and hard in this manner.