1991 Ford Escort Rear Brakes

STEVE_PERRETT

MEMBER
1991 FORD ESCORT
4 CYL
2WD
MANUAL
69,000 MILES

My van was due for an MOT, and a service. It passed the MOT but on the advice of my mechanic, I had a new rear brake cylinder fitted. The wheel then started emitting squeaking noises, and eventually scrunching sounds. On returning the van, The mechanic said the drum had worn ovaloid! And would need replacing! I questioned this but he convinced me(against my better judgement) that it neede replacing. He replaced the drum, but not the shoes. Same problem. Now he's replaced the shoes. Same problem. I have questioned whether the replacement cylinder could have been a wrong type? Or whether it could have been fitted incorrectly, but he seems adamant that it's a problem that was there before he had the van! What do you advise? Could the wrong part have been fitted? Is it possible for a brake drum to wear in an ovaloid fashion?

Many thanks.

Steve Perrett.

6 Replies

MIKE H R

MECHANIC
3,094 POSTS

With putting on a new drum and shoes there should not be a grinding noise. Does it do it when you put on the brakes? Drums do go out of round and cause the noise, Even if it had made the noise when you drought it to him the new drum and brakes should have taken care of the problem.

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Saturday, February 2nd, 2008 AT 11:26 AM

STEVE_PERRETT

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The brakes were fine. I took the van in for an MOT. It passed the MOT but during the service, the mechanic found the rear cylinder leaking and advised it be changed. After it was changed, I drove the van home as I drove, I heard a squeak, which then developed into a noise similar to metal on metal brake pads. If the drum was out of round as he says, then should he not have changed the shoes at the same time? And after the new shoes had gone on, should this not have cured the problem? It seems logical to me that the problem lies with the replacement cylinder!

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Saturday, February 2nd, 2008 AT 11:34 AM

MIKE H R

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Trying to get this straight, when you talk about the wheel cylinder are you talking about the brake drum or the brake wheel cylinder. With you saying it was leaking then it would be the wheel brake cylinder. The drum can go out of round and sometimes be machined round. Sometimes they are too bad and have to be replaced. With you saying it was leakink to me he put a new brake cylinder on. If it was leaking that bad them the fluid would have gotten on the brake shoes, then they would have to be changed. There are different brake cylinders. Have him check them again. Something may have come loose inside. When you put on the brakes can you feel the brake pedel pulsate any?

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Saturday, February 2nd, 2008 AT 12:04 PM

STEVE_PERRETT

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Yes, it was a brake cylinder that was originaly replaced. After the MOT, I wanted any repairs carried out, and a service. It was while servicing that he advised me about the leaking break cylinder. He said it wasn't critical but would need replacing at some point! Only aftre the replacement did I have problems. Whilst driving back to the garage, I did have some feedback through the pedal, but not sincethe new drum. But I do notice when using the brakes gently i.E. Approaching a queue of stationary traffic, that the van 'pulsates' slightly! This feeling disapears as I apply more pressure to the brake.

I've spoken to the mechanic and now he wants to replace the wheel bearing! He is insistant that tjhis has nothing to do with the replacement brake cylinder!

Thanks for your time and replies. I dod appreciate it!

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Sunday, February 3rd, 2008 AT 3:09 AM

MIKE H R

MECHANIC
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Steve, that helped me narrow it down a little. If the brakes are working ok now except for the When a brake cylinder is replaced some time mechanics accidently get a touch of oil or grease on the drum, this will give a slight grab to the brakes, it will either wear off after a while. You can get a cheap can of brake cleaner and spray it into the drum from the back. This will help get rid of any grease or oil that got on the drum.