Escort mk3 Brakes !

[cjhillman]

Hi All,

I did a long road trip with some weight in the car and realised i should probably do something about these brakes.

its only a 1.1 but when your doing 50mph + its not really into stopping quick. I managed to do an emergency stop around town the other week but it was pretty scary.

Its a 1985 with a Servo. whats the best thing to do? a mate said new fluid but i'm also wondering if i should upgrade the pads to Green stuff pads? or am i being silly?

i'm going to do a little service on it next week so will be getting some new front pads for sure.

Thanks,
Chris

[bortaf]

I had a 1.1 for 2 years and hammerd it to death and never had an issue with the brakes BUT that was 15 years ago, new fluid and flexys can make a big differance but it depends what the problem is ? if it's just brake fade then fluid change for sure, low pedal could be swelling flexys or most of the time it's unadjusted rear drums ?

[slater]

Well there's got to be somthing wrong with thwm because those ford brakes are pretty good.

Whats the pedal feel like? Hard or soft? Long or short? Does it pump up?

I'd start by having a thorough check over of everything. If it looks good make sure the rear shoes are adjusted up ok and give it a bleed through with some new fluid. If the pedal is hard check your getting sevo vacuum and check nothing is seized.

Don't touch green pads. They are utter wibblepoo. Mintex do some decent upgraded pads but you need to be sure everything else is in tip top condition first.

[AB car pix]

1.1 Mk3 Escorts have pretty big brakes for their power. Up front they're on non-vented a version of the same disc dimensions, and same pads etc as what's in the XR3i! Sounds like you've got an actual problem if they're feeling bad.
With some more info on the specific symptoms I'm sure it could be diagnosed.

[swampy76]

As said think you have an issue as the standard brakes are ok

A good place to start would be new flexi ( I can supply a set of braided ones), and new fluid

[cjhillman]

Cheers guys, great information.

The pedal is a bit spongy i guess. if your manoeuvring around town or parking it doesn't feel a problem really... just not like a modern cars breaks and sometimes it slows to a stop with your foot right on it. more like long journeys etc.

The back breaks were just checked over for the MOT. one side was sticking on apparently but after that was done it passed just a couple of months back.

can you tell from the outside if the flexis are going? i had a mk5 that had them replaced at a garage so never got to check them out.

[slater]

If i were you id just replace them. You cant really tell how good they are by looking although if they look cracked or lumpy or anything like that its a definite case of replacement needed!!

The thing i tend to find with brakes is its much better to just bite the bullet and buy new bits and give them a overhaul.

[ChasR]

I'd attempt to overhaul them, check things over thoroughly, and change the fluid. Upgrading them otherwise will be a waste. I would also go with a good brand of disc and the best quality pads you can afford (From my MOT man he said the priciest thing on ECP's site ; going via my Clio and others on 'OE' stuff I would say that he was right ; it brakes spot on, with plenty of confidence and not tons of brake dust).

Avoid Greenstuff - I have found them worse (and pricier) than the above at almost anyt situation. Some people seem to like them but I have no idea why! Maybe they came from some super cheap glazed pads where a stab in the eye may have been an improvement. If you do wish to upgrade the pads you could go with Mintex M1144s or Ferodo DS2500s ; neither are what you would call cheap though.

Did someone say Ford brakes were good for the time? Try driving an RS1600i or an S1 RST on stock brakes - you need a prayer for the latter!

[bigdaz]

brake fluid is hygroscopic so should be changed every 3 years,this is the fist place to start if you have no idea when it was changed last, don't waste your money on upgrading the brakes, just replace what's warn with OE quality stuff

[ChasR]

The issue with something that old IME is getting OE stuff. On my Stag I had to do my homework to obtain them, since almost all of the specialists were all too happy to sell Chinese rubbish.

[AB car pix]

Jun 4, 2015 19:01:13 GMT ChasR said:

Did someone say Ford brakes were good for the time? Try driving an RS1600i or an S1 RST on stock brakes - you need a prayer for the latter!

The only difference between the RS models and the 1.1ohv was that they were vented up front, and the rears were larger van spec drums. In reality they feel very similar.
curse word in a RST, but amazing in a 50bhp 1.1!

[thewindscreenman]

series 2 (mk4) turbo discs & calipers are slightly bigger as I recall. I may even have a set if you're interested?

[lusciousthelock]

I once owned a 1981 1.1 L with no brake servo. Was horrible to drive, especially when I fitted the cloverleaf alloys. I had a 1.3 with the servo and that was excellent. Are you sure you have a servo? Failing that replacing the fluid is nice for peace of mind and getting some decent brake pads.

[fordperv]

Jun 5, 2015 22:50:30 GMT thewindscreenman said:

series 2 (mk4) turbo discs & calipers are slightly bigger as I recall. I may even have a set if you're interested?

Yep the s2 rs turbo discs are vented 260mm

[ChasR]

I was going to say that S2 RST brakes are 260mm. Fitting 13" wheels over them make become an issue however.

[cjhillman]

Positive Its got a servo. dread to think what it would be like without one.

Just had to use it again for some a gig up in Burnley. Wasn't too bad tonight but there werent that many hazards.

I'm going to change the fluid this week. I think thats a must basically and then retire it for a bit (the pov spec seat are killing my back!) I'd like to change the felxi hoses too for piece of mind.

[orion1600e]

Have got a set of 260mm discs and calipers for sale !!