Restoring Braking Integrity: Overhauling a Classic Ford Escort Hydraulic System

Drivers should remember that the Ford Escort brake pedal should not slowly sink to the floor. Even if the car is many years old, the brakes remain one of the most important aspects when it comes to overall driving safety.

The pedal sinks. Where does the pressure go?

The first thought is often about air in the system. Many people associate a soft pedal with this. But not always, because if the internal seals of the master brake cylinder are already worn out, brake fluid begins to leak where it should not. All these processes take place inside the cylinder. The pressure is no longer maintained, so the pedal gradually sinks down with less and less resistance.

In this case, bleeding the system usually only creates the impression that the problem has disappeared, but this usually does not last long. When the cylinder itself is no longer tight, it has to be replaced with a new one. DELPHI LM23690 Brake master cylinder allows you to restore normal hydraulic pressure and return the stiffness of the brake pedal.

The most common signs of a brake master cylinder failure

1. The pedal slowly descends towards the floor.
2. When you press the brake, you have to press harder than before.
3. When you pump the pedal, braking improves for a short time.
4. The car's reaction during braking becomes less predictable.
5. There may be no external brake fluid leaks.

A new cylinder does not like old fluid

This is where drivers often make a mistake. A new part is purchased and installed, but the brake fluid itself remains the same. At first glance, it may seem that the used brake fluid is still clear. But the colour of the brake fluid does not always indicate its good condition. Over the years, the fluid often absorbs moisture. As a result, its properties, which are necessary for the proper functioning of the brake system, deteriorate. Also, corrosion processes start more easily inside the system, and the newly installed cylinder operates in less than optimal conditions from the first kilometres. It is not worth investing in a new part and leaving the old medium around it.

For this reason, when replacing the cylinder itself, it is also worth replacing the brake fluid at the same time. BOSCH 1 987 479 107 Brake fluid helps to fundamentally update the entire hydraulic system, and not just one part of it.

https://unsplash.com/photos/a-person-holding-a-tool-iKaukyZ0vjI

Sometimes the cylinder is not to blame at all

It also happens a little differently. The pedal is stiff, and it seems that everything is really fixed, but after a long drive, one wheel heats up more than the others. It can also happen that the car simply rolls more slowly. In such cases, it is worth forgetting about the master cylinder for a while and looking for problems elsewhere.

In many cases, the problem can be hidden in the brake calliper guides. When they start to jam, the calliper does not return to its original position at all, and the brake pads remain easily pressed against the disc. Although you may not notice it at first, the pads will wear out faster, generate additional heat, and increase fuel consumption.

If the guides are already worn or corroded, the ATE 11.0101-5407.2 Guide sleeve kit, brake calliper allows you to restore the free movement of the calliper and eliminate its friction against the brake disc.