Please Help... 1999 Contour SE Stiff brake pedal but idle is fine

[seiguy]

Hey everyone, I have an odd question... I drove my car all last night and it was fine, parked it and went to drive it today and the brake pedal is stiff theres only about 1/4 inch of play if that, you cant press it down any further no matter how hard you try, the brakes barely stop the car, I thought it might be the vaccum booster, but theres no issue with idle or acceleration, it's just the brake issue... Its a 1999 Contour SE, any ideas?

[JoeShmoe]

It does sound like the booster, or even you're rear drum cylinders.

[Davescort97]

It could be several things:

1. Power brake booster.
2. Worn pads or shoes.
3. Caliper pistons or wheel cylinder siezed.
4. Brake linings soaked with oil or grease.
5. New pads or shoes not yet broken in.
6. Kink in flexible brake lines.

[JoeShmoe]

Originally Posted by Davescort97

It could be several things:

1. Power brake booster.
2. Worn pads or shoes.
3. Caliper pistons or wheel cylinder siezed.
4. Brake linings soaked with oil or grease.
5. New pads or shoes not yet broken in.
6. Kink in flexible brake lines.

1 or 3 would go out over night. Those are my best bets.