I have a Fiesta Zetec on a 2009 and I have just had the front break pads replaced, I was told I have to replace the Break Master Cylinder as I have spongy breaks, the chap who was going to do the work says he cannot do it as to bleed the breaks it need a bit of specialist equipment to do it, this equipment bleeds the breaks and is some how connected up to the ABS unit or wording to that effect, I was also informed that this can only be done by Ford's. Can any one tell me if this is correct please. Thanks in advance. Cheers John

yes its correct in a fashion, you can bleed brakes normally , but if the pedal is spongey, before fitting a master cyl , i would get ford or someone who can perform a master bleed with abs pump to do so first, as that normally cures a spongey pedal. if pedal does become spingey again, the likley issue is the abs pump and not master cyl.

you can either get someone to sit in the car and pump brake pedal (3 or 4 pumps) then hold their foot on the brake then you undo the bleed nipple on the back of the wheel do this a few times until brake pedal gets hard start on the nearside first then do the offside thats how ive always done my brakes as for specialist tools i dunno wot he's talking about and as for connecting it to the ABS aint got a clue

1 hour ago, iantt said:

yes its correct in a fashion, you can bleed brakes normally , but if the pedal is spongey, before fitting a master cyl , i would get ford or someone who can perform a master bleed with abs pump to do so first, as that normally cures a spongey pedal. if pedal does become spingey again, the likley issue is the abs pump and not master cyl.

 ok so maybe i was wrong sorry

I have now been told that spongy breaks on some Fiesta’s were a common problem and that Ford's issued a recall to rectify this. Can anyone confirm this for me or tell me how I can find out? Cheers John

Copied from Honest John, not sure what engine yours has but it seems that there could be an issue with the booster hose - there is also a recall link for Ford depending on the VIN number as well:

Recalls

11-11-2009 Voluntary TSB 9S274 - Fiesta 2008.75 -1.6 petrol - Brake Booster Vacuum Hose. Some fiesta vehicles with 1.6 petrol engine, may have a touch/potential chafe condition between the brake booster vacuum hose and an adjacent wiring harness.

TSB for Fiestas built up to September 2009 (date in plastic of fuse box cover) that if custome complains of regular headlight bulbs blowing then need to fit a resistance wire somewhere in the wiring.

Ford Recalls by VIN: Ford Recalls

If you have spongey brakes it won't be brake booster hose chafe as that will give you no servo assistance and a hard pedal.

unless i missed it somewhere but have you actually tried to bleed the brakes?