What would cause very weak brakes? Bad stopping?

[Paddy_g46]

Not clio but Ford Escort mk6. The brakes are w**k! Like if u jump on the brakes quite hard they are so un-responsive whereas any other car iv driven comes to a stop instantly! I asked my mechanic ot have a look at them b4 when it was in for bodywork and he said he "did what he could without going overboard" or soemthign along those lines. I think he assumed it was a shitbox and i wasnt too bothered . Anyway i think he bled them but if he has it hasnt one any good. So what does any1 suggest i try? I was thinking a pad change as b4 i bought the car it had been pretty much sitting for a few months as the old man never drove it. What other things coudl cause weak breaking? Master cylinder?

 

[A18XHO]

brake fluid gone manky or calipers semi seized?

 

[Paddy_g46]

semi siezed calipers? never heard that 1 before? surely if they move they move? correct me if im wrong! cars only done 52k btw so could calipers sieze in that time?

 

[A18XHO]

lol i couldnt find the word to decribe what i meant, i mean like the calipers are stiff as hell. They could if its been sat around for a long time, i know its not a car but when i left my bike in the lock up over winter about 3 months both calipers were dead

 

[Paddy_g46]

im tempted to fit some modeo v6 callipers and discs....

 

[daviebroon]

think he means 'seizing' calipers. Usually the first reason. Other than fucked discs and pads, shite brake fluid, air in line etc

 

[FeelX]

Is this a new car to you Patrick?

I found my Clio and other Clio's brake quit hard with a stiff brake-pedal. Other cars like a VW Golf 5 and Seat Leon (old one) had a much softer pedal. Felt spongy but the reaction of the brakes was there.

 

[mini-valver]

I was given an Escort cab on a P plate and the brakes were shocking, felt like wood, lol. Passed MOT though.....

 

[Paddy_g46]

Is this a new car to you Patrick?

I found my Clio and other Clio's brake quit hard with a stiff brake-pedal. Other cars like a VW Golf 5 and Seat Leon (old one) had a much softer pedal. Felt spongy but the reaction of the brakes was there.

No iv had it a while, they are wnak though! Any other cxar iv driven is 10 times better, in the wet when you break you get nothing and then u keep preshing harder then they just lock!

 

[ditz]

leaking rear wheel cylinders/badly adjusted rear brakes.

 

[edde]

Check for leaks but that should be noticable as there no fluid ehtn bleed the system check the calipers are sliding the the pad and disk are ok

 

[mickstoke]

dont have abs do they! gti's rs2000s do and maybe some 1.8s

 

[Paddy_g46]

leaking rear wheel cylinders/badly adjusted rear brakes.

I think thats what my mechanic had a quick look at b4, he said he adjusted something but tbh it didnt make any noticeable difference! As for a leak ill have a look but i think he woudl have spotted this himself.

Check for leaks but that should be noticable as there no fluid ehtn bleed the system check the calipers are sliding the the pad and disk are ok

So bleed the system. How do i check if they are sliding properly?

 

[mickstoke]

if it has drums on the rear check the cyclinders arent leaking under the seals!

 

[ditz]

I think thats what my mechanic had a quick look at b4, he said he adjusted something but tbh it didnt make any noticeable difference! As for a leak ill have a look but i think he woudl have spotted this himself.



So bleed the system. How do i check if they are sliding properly?

he may of adjusted the hand brake

need to take the rear drums off and adjust the shoes manually/check for leaks its not something you can see without taking the drums off unless its really really bad and leaking out the bottom

rule number 1 assume nothing

 

[edde]

I think thats what my mechanic had a quick look at b4, he said he adjusted something but tbh it didnt make any noticeable difference! As for a leak ill have a look but i think he woudl have spotted this himself.



So bleed the system. How do i check if they are sliding properly?

take the clipers off and check all the bits can move

 

[Munson]

What about the servo?

With the engine off, pump the pedal a few times until it's as hard as it can get. Keep it pressed down hard and start the engine. The pedal should go down a bit further. If it doesn't then the servo is fucked or leaking.

 

[mickstoke]

with my gti i pull the vac pipe out of the servo and blow a ir line down the pipe and in the servo and that seemed to clear a blockage!