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2000 Ford Focus breaks aren't working
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jamesmacdermaid
New User
Jan 25, 2015, 10:36 PM
Post #1 of 6
(1749 views)
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2000 Ford Focus breaks aren't working
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So about 3 weeks ago I bought a 2000 ford focus and got the last 3 weeks off drove it with the break light on, then today I was driving and had to turn around and grab my husband's car because my breaks were not working fast, they've been spongy since I bought it but while I was breaking earlier today, I slammrd on the brakes and my rear passenger tire squealed and the other 3 almost didn't feel like they were breaking. When I got home there was no brake fluid, so I filled up the brake fluid and pumped my breaks a million times and it still feels like only one tire is slowing my vehicle down and when I filled the reservoir from empty it barely took any it felt like, and the brakes still aren't working right!! Help please!
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 25, 2015, 11:58 PM
Post #2 of 6
(1738 views)
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Re: 2000 Ford Focus brakes aren't working
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May I ask why you are surprised? You bought it with a warning and brakes failed - really!
Don't drive this car at all till it's all fixed and may take a lot. No telling but at least it leaks somewhere or brakes so worn the fluid went that low.
One wheel locking can suggest that one may be wet or so badly worn it's jamming up?
Needs total inspect and too late to do so BEFORE you bought it. If you can cancel that sale about now I would.
Seems it's so neglected that you can expect an all inclusive 4 wheel brake job - all wearing parts new at the age + you didn't say miles AND making sure ABS is operational as it really shouldn't lock up a wheel like that and may be more costly than the wearing parts job alone!
So, tow it and get a total inspection all four wheels, parking brake system included. This sounds so bad the master cylinder from being empty and pumping the hell out of it probably gave out too so expect an extensive job. No choice, you MUST be able to stop. Ask for a quote up front and decide if you want to keep this car or not, it could be (can't know) very costly.
Hey - check out vehicles before you buy them not after. Warning was on when you bought it and ignored so no telling what else in the whole vehicle has just been ignored either to me,
T
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jamesmacdermaid
New User
Jan 26, 2015, 12:06 AM
Post #3 of 6
(1734 views)
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Re: 2000 Ford Focus brakes aren't working
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I don't think it's that bad, my brother is taking a look tomorrow. Drove it about a mile an hour ago and as long as I braked slowly I got down from 45
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 26, 2015, 12:35 AM
Post #4 of 6
(1729 views)
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Re: 2000 Ford Focus brakes aren't working
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I'm up late so will post a check list off the top of my head for your brother to check if he's able to even check all this never mind do it if needed. Quit driving this except for safe area testing please! You may not care but this is weapon to others the way it is by your description.
Checks with all four wheels off:
* Rotors, pads, calipers and flex hoses at each wheel.
* Parking brake cables and operation.
* The leak likely known would be obvious with those checks but look right at master cylinder and ABS parts and lines along the route to each wheel as well.
* Make sure power assist is working properly too.
* ABS if that was either THE warning or one of two it should have. ABS warning lights are usually yellow and should mean whatever is wrong at best you have just ordinary braking action till that's tended to either simple or very involved.
* RED warnings lights in general never mind for brakes mean don't run or drive the car!
* Ask your brother if one end or the other seems mostly fine to check on bleeders just enough to know they will work and not snap off after any work done they'll need to.
* Brake booster. May want to check that you can tell or feel some power assist after some pumping of the pedal with engine off it should regain some feel when engine started. Check hose to it for fluid too in this case.
Sorry this is all upon you and that it's right when you just got it. Hope it's doable and not as bad as I can smell on a screen but not too hopeful and no matter what the heck works and is great about this car the brakes must work properly.
Hope not but if a total mess of worn items this could be a couple or more thousand bucks! When your brother checks it and makes a list of what is seen you can go to popular parts outlet places on line and check out prices of the parts,
T
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 27, 2015, 5:11 AM
Post #6 of 6
(1703 views)
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Re: 2000 Ford Focus brakes aren't working
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wg66kwRnOpw
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
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