Ford Escort (1993 - 2000) - 99 1.8 braking efficiency not very good

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Mon 25 May 2009 18:58
99 1.8 braking efficiency not very good - dieselpower
my sisters escort has the worst brakes ever although the discs and pads and shoes are fine the brake pedal remains really spoungy, the handbrake works great though.
all have been bleed
so i decided to upgrade them by fitting mondeo mk2 calipers and discs theses are much bigger and required some minor modification but im still unable to get a good pedal seems like the front pistons are creeping back a bit from the disc rather than staying tight against it.
just wondering has anyone had the same problem or can help in anyway
thanks

Edited by Dynamic Dave on 25/05/2009 at 19:25

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Mon 25 May 2009 22:17
99 1.8 braking efficiency not very good - Peter.N.
I would be looking at the servo unit, it sounds as though you have no assistance. Is there any difference with/without the engine running?
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Tue 26 May 2009 02:25
99 1.8 braking efficiency not very good - dieselpower
Cheers for the reply, not sure if there is much of a difference with the car running or off will check tomorrow, im thinking on clamping all 4 flexible brake pipes to see if i can get a better pedal if i do i would presume its not the servo would this be correct? and would it be recommended to do this, thanks again
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Tue 26 May 2009 09:04
99 1.8 braking efficiency not very good - Peter D
Swopping calipers requires care as the piston diameters will effect the braking and pedal travel. If sounds as though you have no servo assistance. If you brake several times with the engine off, the pedal will stiffen, keep you foot on the pedal and start the car and the pedal should drop at least 3 to 5 cm or even more. Regards Peter

Edited by Peter D on 26/05/2009 at 09:06

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Tue 26 May 2009 09:56
99 1.8 braking efficiency not very good - DP
The standard brakes, working correctly, should be more than up to the job. As Peter says, swapping calipers needs to be done with care, as the relationship between the master cylinder piston area and the caliper piston area is very important. (I don't know the exact engineering reason, but I do know this is fact).

It sounds to me like you have a servo problem. The test Peter suggested will confirm if the servo is working or not.
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Tue 26 May 2009 10:02
99 1.8 braking efficiency not very good - TurboD
I would be looking at the master cylinder for the spongy brakes, this is cheap to replace. I needed one on an Escort and the brakes were fine with that.
But changing the calipers is a step that needs caution, if there is an accident, for instance, - this is the sort of thing an insurance company will balk at, and , if that caused the accident , well don't go there.
Perhaps I am too straight.
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Tue 26 May 2009 10:26
99 1.8 braking efficiency not very good - sierraman
To test the servo properly run the car briefly,which should build up vacuum in the reservoir,then turn off.Pump the pedal a few times,the feel should get progressively harder as the vacuum is exhausted.If there is no change in pedal feel the servo is not working.
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Tue 26 May 2009 15:23
99 1.8 braking efficiency not very good - Woodspeed
If you put bigger callipers on then a longer pedal stroke is required unless you put on a bigger master cylinder.
Check that all the rubber hoses to the wheels and any chasis ones are in good order and not going soft or bulging when pedal pressed.
Also agree that the standard brakes should do a good job.
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Tue 26 May 2009 18:40
99 1.8 braking efficiency not very good - dieselpower
can confirm the servo seems to be working peadal will soften when engine started as for all the brakepipes all 4 flexibles are new and for those who are saying the standard brakes should do the job i wont dissagree with any one but they were terrible they were not even strong enough to make the car skid thats why i decided to upgrade them i just cant get arroung this spoungy pedal, thanks
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