1999 Ford Escort ZX2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

nate300d · #1 04-05-2010, 02:11 PM

Working on a friend's Escort and trying to understand a premature front brake wear on a 1999 ZX2 with rear drums.
I changed the front rotors and pads....no issue. Went to change rear drums and shoes, but virtually no wear so I did not replace the rear brakes. The parking brake cable on one the passengers side seems frozen. Also the rear brakes seem to do little, but obviously have not been self adjusting as intended. I manually adjusted the shoes put everything back together and the car breaks great. Less than 2,000 miles later the rears seem to be doing nothing and the fronts are worn down a lot.

Any ideas?

Nate · #2 04-05-2010, 02:43 PM

I thought you knew http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L26kTJjgIG4

I'd post it on a ZX2 website, or feoa.net for more detailed discussion on it, but it would apprear to me that the proportioning valve isnt working right... Or, possibly, the rear brake linkage is rusty and sticky Does it adjust after going hard in reverse and slaming on the brakes?

tbomachines · #3 04-05-2010, 03:27 PM

I think Nate is right, it sounds like a proportioning valve. It would have to be upstream of the drums themselves. Do the brakes feel okay through the pedal?

My gf had a ZX2 when I first met her, then her brother totaled it. I say thank goodness...I couldn't stand the thing.

75Sv1 · #4 04-05-2010, 03:51 PM

You might also be looking at stuck calipers. I have had that happen on a few Ford Contours. I'd probably also replace the break hoses at that age.
Tom

nate300d · #5 04-05-2010, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nate

I thought you knew http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L26kTJjgIG4

I'd post it on a ZX2 website, or feoa.net for more detailed discussion on it, but it would apprear to me that the proportioning valve isnt working right... Or, possibly, the rear brake linkage is rusty and sticky Does it adjust after going hard in reverse and slaming on the brakes?

Did post it on feoa.net, but have not received any reply that is useful.
I don't the the adjuster is working. I believe that there are multiple issues at hand. I think the adjusters are affected my the stuck parking brake cable. (I hate drum brakes, especially common rear/parking brake mechanisms POS!!!)

nate300d · #6 04-05-2010, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbomachines

I think Nate is right, it sounds like a proportioning valve. It would have to be upstream of the drums themselves. Do the brakes feel okay through the pedal?

My gf had a ZX2 when I first met her, then her brother totaled it. I say thank goodness...I couldn't stand the thing.

I have been suspecting the proportioning valve or at least the quality of the fluid in that area. I have seen old fluid have different qualities depending on where it is at. For example fluid in calipers and wheel cylinders have more heat than what is in the line. Should perhaps purge all of the fluid and see how it responds. Perhaps if the proportioning valve is sticky fresh fluid may free things up.

raymr · #7 04-05-2010, 06:38 PM

I once had a Ford Aerostar that ate brake pads like crazy. Finally out of desperation I replaced both front calipers and the problem went away. But of course then the oil pump went out.

75Sv1 · #8 04-06-2010, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raymr

I once had a Ford Aerostar that ate brake pads like crazy. Finally out of desperation I replaced both front calipers and the problem went away. But of course then the oil pump went out.

I had a '78 Honda Civic. It was a rust bucket. It kept eating the driver's side brake pads and rotors. The rotors were cheap, but replacing them was expensive. You had to disassemble the hub, and suppose to put in new bearings. I had this done a few times at I think different shops. A few years latter, I replaced the pads myself. I decided to bleed the calipers. A blob of rust and brake fluid came out. I put on rebuilt calipers, and it ran for a few more years.
Tom

cmbdiesel · #9 04-06-2010, 11:20 AM

I would say that the rear brakes were not adjusted correctly. Much greater chance of that human error than part malfunction, and cheaper to fix.

loepke72 · #10 04-06-2010, 11:45 AM

According to the Ford shop manual, this rear brake uses a one-shot adjuster. It self-adjusts itself initially by parking brake application, and by using the parking brake thereafter. It will not self adjust by service brake application. It does not use the usual star wheel adjuster. If the parking brake is seldom used (like if the car has an automatic transmission) it is possible to go out of adjustment after a while. Make sure the parking brake is working and that it actually gets used from time to time to maintain rear brake adjustment.

75Sv1 · #11 04-06-2010, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmbdiesel

I would say that the rear brakes were not adjusted correctly. Much greater chance of that human error than part malfunction, and cheaper to fix.

I think you have a good point. I didn't see if he had disk or drums. On the drum on my '96 Ford Contour, you had to adjust till there was a light drag. I think by turning the star wheel from the back side of the drum housing. On the disk on my '00 Contour SVT, I had to adjust the caliper to the setting that just let the calipers with brake pads slip on. I still have to replace the parking/emergency cables, and the hoses. Usually, hoses are fairly cheap and should be replaced about every 5 years. Also, I'd probably flush and replace the brake fluid in this car.
Tom

nate300d · #12 04-06-2010, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loepke72

According to the Ford shop manual, this rear brake uses a one-shot adjuster. It self-adjusts itself initially by parking brake application, and by using the parking brake thereafter. It will not self adjust by service brake application. It does not use the usual star wheel adjuster. If the parking brake is seldom used (like if the car has an automatic transmission) it is possible to go out of adjustment after a while. Make sure the parking brake is working and that it actually gets used from time to time to maintain rear brake adjustment.

Thank you very much for that research! That sounds like part of the problem. I still think the fronts must drag if they are gone after less than 2,000 miles.

cmbdiesel · #13 04-06-2010, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nate300d

Thank you very much for that research! That sounds like part of the problem. I still think the fronts must drag if they are gone after less than 2,000 miles.

...missed the 2000 mile part... that would seem like there is a drag in the front. Did you force the piston back into the caliper with the bleeder open or closed? Also, IIRC Ford flex lines have a tendency to swell, which restricts the brake fluids ability to exit the caliper, causing a drag.

nate300d · #14 04-07-2010, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmbdiesel

...missed the 2000 mile part... that would seem like there is a drag in the front. Did you force the piston back into the caliper with the bleeder open or closed? Also, IIRC Ford flex lines have a tendency to swell, which restricts the brake fluids ability to exit the caliper, causing a drag.

I use a c-clamp to push the caliper piston back. I did that with the bleeder closed.