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2001 Ford Focus, front left brake does not release completely
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alexg
New User
Apr 30, 2008, 1:51 PM
Post #1 of 8
(13934 views)
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2001 Ford Focus, front left brake does not release completely
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I'm posting all over the internet in hopes of finding a solution, so here you go:
At first I wasn't sure what was making my brakes seemingly stick after stepping on them once once I begin a drive.
First I would pull out of my driveway and drive down a bit, car would accelerate great.
First stoplight I hit the brakes, sit... sit... go. Car takes a bit longer to accelerate and can't maintain speed if no gas is given..
Next stoplight, I hit the brakes.. the pedal doesn't depress as much before gripping hard... sit... sit... go. The car takes extremely long to accelerate and the rpm's are out the roof for the speed im going. Somethings wrong.
I dealt with this for a few months since work was close.
A couple of days ago, I was told to replace pretty much everything to do with my brakes, so I did.
Replaced both calipers, brake pads and both rotors.
The brakes are MUCH smoother now, but they still drag after driving a bit... the problem still exists.
I went ahead and got new tires, got my front end aligned, and balanced all my tires, to be sure that wasn't a factor.
The road is much smoother, the car no longer pulls to the left, aaand it no longer vibrates around 70mph...
Lots of other problems fixed, but my MAIN problem, the one that is killing my gas mileage+engine+brakes.... still exists.
Frustrating :/
Today after driving I went around my car to see if I could notice anything weird, since the brakes had been dragging the whole drive home (I'm wasting a lot of gas).
The front left wheel smelled like something was slightly burning (new brakes smell) and the air around it was extremely hot. All of the other tires were fine and didn't have the temperature this side had.
So what's going on with my front left brake?? Why does the caliper not release all the way?? is there something in my brake fluid?
Here's something interesting that may help determine what it might be:
If I can get at least up to 40+ mph, I can reach down to the pedal and lightly and rapidly tap the brake pedal with my hand, and the brake will release completely for a short time (most of the time) until I actually step on it again to use the brakes. Weird huh?? And the faster I'm going when I do this, the better the brakes "clear up" or "release".. the better they stop dragging... The car accelerates like it's supposed to, or almost anyway.
What's causing this and why does lightly and rapidly tapping the pedal clear things up for a short amount of time?
Most importantly, HOW DO I FIX IT!! :[
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dmac0923
Enthusiast
Apr 30, 2008, 2:26 PM
Post #2 of 8
(13924 views)
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Re: 2001 Ford Focus, front left brake does not release completely
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did you bleed the brakes after you replaced the caliper?
if not do so immediately.
your caliper is obviously sticking. dragging on the rotor thats why you smell the burning and feel the heat.
dissassemble and make sure the pads can "slide" freely in the caliper bracket and make sure the caliper floating pins move freely.
if that checks out, replace both front brake hoses. (the black rubber ones that go from the hard steel line to the caliper)
__________________________________________________
2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee
2002 Ford Ranger
2004 Toyota Corolla
1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 1, 2008, 5:52 AM
Post #3 of 8
(13917 views)
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Re: 2001 Ford Focus, front left brake does not release completely
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Being one side I'll blame the flex hose to that side but would replace both right now anyway with the trouble. That's not all that uncommon for brake hoses to let pressure in to apppy brake and then NOT let it back out,
T
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Guest
Anonymous Poster
May 1, 2008, 12:12 PM
Post #4 of 8
(13916 views)
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Re: 2001 Ford Focus, front left brake does not release completely
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Thanks for the responses!
I'm taking it in to a shop this friday and I'm going to have them check for any possible restrictions, and ultimately change the hoses and fluid completely.
I'll let you know how that goes and if I need any further help. Thanks!
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 1, 2008, 1:34 PM
Post #5 of 8
(13914 views)
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Re: 2001 Ford Focus, front left brake does not release completely
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A reasonable chance of verifying brake hose problems is to apply the brake and spin the rotors by hand. That stuck one should be hard to spin and if you just crack open the bleeder just a bit the rotor will free right up if the problem is that hose. It might pull an attitude and behave for testing and with everything else replaced but those so far I'd just do them both anyway now,
T
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Guest
Anonymous Poster
May 10, 2008, 10:12 AM
Post #6 of 8
(13893 views)
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Re: 2001 Ford Focus, front left brake does not release completely
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Hey,
I got the car fixed this friday.
I took it to hibdon tires and first they tried replacing both hoses. Didn't work.
So at this point it could only be a couple of things the guy said, either the diaphragm or the booster.
He lifted the car up, took the wheels off, set it in park and let the rotors spin.
They locked up after applying pressure to the brake once. He tried to turn them and they wouldn't turn.
He then disconnected the booster while the car was running.. the rotors start to spin. Wow.
He reconnects the booster and the rotors lock up. Double wow.
Got a new booster, problem fixed. Car drives wonderful.
I'm not really sure what was wrong with the booster though, specifically..
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 10, 2008, 1:55 PM
Post #7 of 8
(13887 views)
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Re: 2001 Ford Focus, front left brake does not release completely
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Glad it's fixed - no arguement with what worked. I can't understand how the booster which is for all FOUR wheels could select ONE to stick on???? I would have said the hoses or a caliper new or not was the issue but as said - don't argue if it's safe and working properly now with all that new stuff,
T
(edit) Booster could stay "boosting" and would pick perhaps just fronts first but would be both - was it both?
(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on May 10, 2008, 1:57 PM)
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