Mk1 Ford Focus Problems *sigh*

[Kf071289]

Hi all,

First off this is a great site!

To the problems with the car...

After long/high speed motorway crawls, the clutch pedal feels very stiff, this goes back normal after running the car at low speeds again. I have read this could be a hydraulic problem with excess air getting in somewhere and is a cheap fix?

Also, when I brake to almost stopping distance the car seems to judder at the front end slightly. Once at stopping distance the car will lightly rev itself, and at night the headlights will dim and then go back normal (repeatedly). The dash board lights will also dim at the same time as the head lights.

An lastly for the old girl, there is a blowing sound coming from the middle, underneath the car. I have looked through the engine and it seems the front end of the exhaust system is brand new, however the rear isn't new. There is a loose heat shield around the area but my guess is that this wouldn't cause a blowing sound?

Thanks in advance for any replies/help.

[jamesm182]

Juddering under hard braking may be caused by warped brake discs so may be worth a check?