Focus Front Brakes Binding And Getting Hot

[klloyd89]

Hi guys need a bit of help

3 days ago I came home from work (15miles) and smelt burning so pulled over and noticed steam and that my both my front wheels were red hot and lost alot of power in my brakes.I got home and found that it could be the brake vacuum pump and found out that it was recalled on my focus.

I have only owned the car a year so no idea if it was done.

the thing is since it happened three days ago it has done it since just once and I have probably done around 60/70 miles since it happened on Thursday but I have been taking it easier on the brakes since

Anyone else experienced this before?

[simcor]

If the brakes are binding then they are sticking, therefore heat will be generated and this can warp the discs. When brake discs get too hot then you get brake fade as you experienced. Not to mention wearing the pads out very quickly if they are biding badly. I should add that wasn't steam it would have been smoke, the brakes can in extreme heat set on fire so be very wary. I had it happen on a Truck I was taking for service and the fire was roaring nicely on one side for some roasted marshmallows lol

The most likely cause for binding brakes is either a seized calliper or the slide pins are corroded and the callipers are not sliding on the slide pins properly.

It would be interesting to know what the recall was for the brake vacuum pump as that would help to determine if that would cause the brakes to stick or not.

[klloyd89]

I've just driven home and now getting a clicking noise when braking when time I push the brake pedal past a certain point.

If it was a seized caliper, why would both sides be red hot and binding?

[STEADS]

Sounds to me as if there's a valve maybe somewhere that isn't letting the brake fluid return I'd say it's unusual to have both calipers seize up at the same time or for both hoses to collapse preventing brake fluid to return tithe cylinder possible that the master cylinder has failed causing a hydraulic lock with fluid either side of the piston preventing it releasing and keeping the pressure on both brakes can you check the tears are they stiff as well .

[klloyd89]

I'm having a look at it all this morning but the rears are fine and the fronts have only done twice and not since and tested it this morning and the clicking is gone.

Where are the valves I should be looking for

[TomsFocus]

I've not seen both stick on together before, so interested in the outcome of this! Sounds like a master cylinder seal may be at fault but it won't be visible from outside.

[mrmetallica]

i had this on an escort.it was the brake hose that was the problem

[klloyd89]

Looked at the brakes and can't see nothing wrong with them, the vacuum pp had already been replaced so it's not that

It only seems to do it every now and then,I do 15 mile journey twice a day five days a week and it has done it say 3 times in the past 10 days im so confused.

It's definitely both brakes that it's happening on

[kernan]

Name: Kernan

2005 focus wagon.

Similar problem.  Have noticed a slight pulling to the right for some time.  Mostly on less than 20 mile trips.   Pulling seems somewhat variable.  Air pressure and tires OK.   Took a longer trip 50 miles+.   Stopped to check and found both front rotors hot (over boiling water temp.), There was with very little break usage in the last 10 miles.  No noticeable heating on  rear wheel.  Breaks seem to function well. 

Also interested in any suggestions.

[FatHead1979]

10 hours ago, kernan said:

Name: Kernan

2005 focus wagon.

Similar problem.  Have noticed a slight pulling to the right for some time.  Mostly on less than 20 mile trips.   Pulling seems somewhat variable.  Air pressure and tires OK.   Took a longer trip 50 miles+.   Stopped to check and found both front rotors hot (over boiling water temp.), There was with very little break usage in the last 10 miles.  No noticeable heating on  rear wheel.  Breaks seem to function well. 

Also interested in any suggestions.

If you're car (2005) is still on the original calipers then the piston is highly likely to be heavily corroded, once this corrosion gets bad enough it makes the piston movement increasingly stiff which ultimately can stop the piston retracting, keeping the pads pressed on the disc.

 

Over the last year I've replaced all 4 calipers on my 2005 MK2 Focus, the rears were probably salvageable but the fronts were spannered.  Even though there's a protective rubber boot covering the caliper piston, over time dirt can still work it's way past the seal, plus the seals can fail which significantly accelerates the process.

 

In short, you need to strip down your front brakes to inspect the slider pins, the main caliper piston and the runners that the pads sit in (caliper bracket).  It could be a simple as the grooves where the pads sit need grinding back a bit and have been stopping the pads from moving freely.