97 Escort Brakes

[gbasu78]

I got my escort in november 2002 and at that time the dealer had replaced parts on the front brakes- i am not sure what they replaced. I assumed pads and rotors. In march 2003 as a result of the front calipers seizing, I replaced the front pads, rotors and obviously calipers. In August 2003 I got the rear shoes and pads replaced and finally November 2003 I got the MAster cylinder replaced. All this was to get a crisper, tigher better braking. I was told by my mechanic after replacing the master cylinder that i should use my parking brake more.

Anyways I am still not getting really great braking- the response time is not as good as i would like. I dont have abs, have disc in the front and drum in the rear. Anyone have any idea/suggestions/comments as to this problems?

thank you

[wclark]

I also have a 1997 escort wagon that suddenly the brakes went mushy.
I am not leaking any fluid and the front and rear brake pads are fine.
it is like all the brakes are not working as far as the feel of it.
What do you think? Master cylinder... I hate to just shotgun it.

[Jet-Lee]

response to both....flush your brake lines, in case you got an air bubble, or some other liquid that compresses even a tiny bit.

[gbasu78]

Before I replaced the Master Cylinder, I had the brakes bled, but that didnt help. anyways after each thing I did the braking initially was better but then after time it went back to poor. So if it does need to be flushed/beld again or the pads replaced again then maybe here is a better question: are these escorts (97) known for poor braking?

[airmech]

Check to make sure that one or both of your calipers is not sticking on the pins. If it (or They) are then the brake caliper needs to move farther and it will feel like spongy brakes.

[SCPDMechanic]

Originally Posted by airmech

Check to make sure that one or both of your calipers is not sticking on the pins. If it (or They) are then the brake caliper needs to move farther and it will feel like spongy brakes.

Just to add to this post, your car has a funky brake setup where the caliper has 2 guide pins going through the caliper.... through both brake pads..... and through a series of shims (6 in total I believe). Your best bet would be to take it all apart and take those guide pins to a bench grinder with a wire wheel attachment. These pins tend to get corroded and caked with dirt making them seize and not work properly.