1991 Escort was at the BRAKING point....FYI

[michaelfriedrich_2]

My Escort was burning up my front pads....bad. I could smell them like they were welding themselves to the rotors anytime I drove more than a couple of miles (at higher speeds..not stop and go). All of the pads and shoes are within 6 months old and aren't time to be wore out yet. I had replaced the master cylinder a month ago and the rear wheel cylinders were not more than a year old......before all of this happened. I put new front calipers on it....same problem. I hadn't put new rotors on, because I knew all it would do is warp them from the friction and heat. So, I have a 1993 Mercury Tracer parts car, so I had someone suggest I change the flexible brake lines that run from the frame to the calipers. My friend told me that these lines can collapse on the inside on occasion, causing the pressure applied on the pads to stay engaged and not release. Low and behold.....it fixed it. I was lucky I had my parts car, because I have no idea where you can get these brake lines. Just want to pass that along.

[Davescort97]

Originally Posted by michaelfriedrich_2

My Escort was burning up my front pads....bad. I could smell them like they were welding themselves to the rotors anytime I drove more than a couple of miles (at higher speeds..not stop and go). All of the pads and shoes are within 6 months old and aren't time to be wore out yet. I had replaced the master cylinder a month ago and the rear wheel cylinders were not more than a year old......before all of this happened. I put new front calipers on it....same problem. I hadn't put new rotors on, because I knew all it would do is warp them from the friction and heat. So, I have a 1993 Mercury Tracer parts car, so I had someone suggest I change the flexible brake lines that run from the frame to the calipers. My friend told me that these lines can collapse on the inside on occasion, causing the pressure applied on the pads to stay engaged and not release. Low and behold.....it fixed it. I was lucky I had my parts car, because I have no idea where you can get these brake lines. Just want to pass that along.

Thanks, this is something I will file away.

[OverBoardProject]

Known that for years, I first read about it in some V.W. Porche mag, although I've only seen 1 car have the problem. My mechanic friend was baffled (he has 20+ years experience) until I told him the solution.

Most parts stores can make up new flexible hoses if required.

For power steering, brakes, air and just about anything that you can imagine.
Even steel braded hoses with a few days request. They should have most of the parts in stock.
They just use custom crimp on fittings, and universal hoses

You'll probably have to bring in your old hoses to match them up

[y2kpa2]

the rear brakes on 88-93 buick regals have the problem untill the brake line is replaced

[wileys]

Originally Posted by michaelfriedrich_2

My Escort was burning up my front pads....bad. I could smell them like they were welding themselves to the rotors anytime I drove more than a couple of miles (at higher speeds..not stop and go). All of the pads and shoes are within 6 months old and aren't time to be wore out yet. I had replaced the master cylinder a month ago and the rear wheel cylinders were not more than a year old......before all of this happened. I put new front calipers on it....same problem. I hadn't put new rotors on, because I knew all it would do is warp them from the friction and heat. So, I have a 1993 Mercury Tracer parts car, so I had someone suggest I change the flexible brake lines that run from the frame to the calipers. My friend told me that these lines can collapse on the inside on occasion, causing the pressure applied on the pads to stay engaged and not release. Low and behold.....it fixed it. I was lucky I had my parts car, because I have no idea where you can get these brake lines. Just want to pass that along.

At any parts store just ask for a "flex line for (your car)". If you want to hear something as weird as that I had an old system with a front/rear proportion valve stick so that barely a trickle of fluid got to the back brakes, but the front brakes would nearly toss you through the windshield with very little foot pressure. The valve had stuck from sitting around apparently ... likely some moisture in the system from hot fluid. Recently with a Tempo we had the proprtion valve not allow very much fluid to the left front and right rear of the car, yet the right front and left rear were fine. After a few "bleeding and driving" cylces for a few weeks it worked good. I should add also this car had sat around. I think contaminated fluid causes it, either from overheating, or someone physically adds the wrong fluid which could break down the rubber in the flex lines, wheel cylinders and O-rings in the master cylinder.