2001 Ford Focus brake problem?

Question

I have a 2001 Ford Focus, 96000 mi. with brake issues.
I took it to a repair shop to have the master cylinder and boost replaced. The shop said the first cylinder we gave them (new) was faulty, so we got them another new one. They said THAT one was faulty, so we got them yet another one, along with a new boost, since they said they got fluid in the one we gave them. 3 cylinders, 2 boosts and a month an a half later, I get my car back and I go to drive it to work the next day, and I get about 5 miles from my house and there is smoke pouring out of my car and my front brakes locked up. I took (towed) it to a different mechanic who has had it for a week now. They have looked at it, consulted with a few other mechanics, flushed the entire system, and they have no idea what is wrong with it.
It runs fine when the engine is cold, but after the engine gets to normal temperature, the front brakes lock up and it starts to smoke. It does this even when the car is only started and sits for about 20 minutes. HELP!!!!

No ABS.
the smoke comes from the wheels.
I had and master replaced because it went out, don't ask about the booster, that was my boyfriend's thing.

The engine runs fine, it just had NO power. I went from 40 to 20 in a matter of seconds adn could not go any faster. No lights came on, and the engine temp was fine.

Answer 1

What was the original problem with the brakes? Why did you take it in to have the master cylinder and the booster replaced? I can understand one component going bad, but not both at the same time. As the first poster stated, where exactly is the smoke coming from? The wheel area? Will the vehice move at all when you push the gas when this happens? Do any warning lights come on in the instrument cluster when it happens? Any noises right before it happens? More info is helpful.

Update: Ok, I've had a good long think on this one and it may sound incorrect, but without actually looking at it, all I can do is advise. What I'm thinking is the smoke is just from the amount of brake fluid that was spilled and bled out of the system during all of these repairs. If that many boosters and brake master cylinders were installed and removed and bled out over and over again, they probably got some brake fluid on the engine and plenty on the calipers and wheels, which causes some smoke when it heats up, further they did even tell you they ruined a booster from spilled brake fluid, so it may have been a lot they spilled. The dropping speed from 40 to 20 and not having any power, and not wanting to go after running twenty minutes may be a fuel pump that is giving out. It would be bad timing for it to happen that close to the brake problem, but stranger things have happened. Ask the new mechanic to check the fuel pressure after the engine gets warm, just a thought. I have seen a lot of Focus fuel pumps go out, and usually they just stop working on a dime. I just can't think of any reason why the brakes would just lock up, even sitting still. If you had air in the system ,they just simply would not work, and you would have a soft brake pedal, as opposed to them locking up.

Answer 2

Ford Focus Brake Problems

Answer 3

How about Brake hoses or the such expanding after it gets hot? Check to make sure the brakes lines in front are not running real close to say the exhaust (usually more like touching it) as brake fluid is made to go roughly 400 degrees before boiling.. and flushing should have taken any impurities in the brake fluid out....

IMO you have something expanding and causing the concern of a lock block somewheres... usually rubber lines are famous for making one way check valves but usually do it after a number of stops .. that's why I am wondering about other things... usually brake fluid will boil and you loose brakes... you have something expanding it

also you never said if the rears were checked for locking up too

Answer 4

First of all, you need to find a different shop. The first thing they should have done was test for leaks and purge / bleed the system. The second thing they should have done was remove and inspect the master cylinder. Your mechanic used you to finance a boat payment. As you may know, brake fluid is not supposed to be compressible, but air most definitely is. If you're having to pump the brakes, that means you have air going into the system from somewhere, and the most likely culprit is a bad seal in the master cylinder.

Answer 5

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RE:
2001 Ford Focus brake problem?
I have a 2001 Ford Focus, 96000 mi. with brake issues.
I took it to a repair shop to have the master cylinder and boost replaced. The shop said the first cylinder we gave them (new) was faulty, so we got them another new one. They said THAT one was faulty, so we got them yet another one, along...

Answer 6

First of all go back to the first place, tell them its doing it again and they need to fix it at no charge. Second ask the shop that is at now and tell them to take the calipers off and replace one is stuck. Another problem is faulty wiring, does the car have ABS?
If it does send it to a dealer not a joe blow shop!!

Answer 7

if it has ABS id look at the control unit, also air in the abs hydraulic control unit could be a problem. cant think of any other scenario thatd lock up brakes just by idling....

Answer 8

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Check the socket. It looks like a corroded or damaged contact. It may be that the new bulb is bad (it happens). Try switching the good one to the other side.

Answer 9

Is there an adjustment rod for the brake peddle when they change the master that is adjusted out to far??

Answer 10

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