Hard Braking Thunderbird

MWESTCOTT

MEMBER
FORD THUNDERBIRD

My 1995 Ford Thunderbird LX brakes very hard. Light pressure on the brake pedal causes the car to stop quickly. There is no pull, vibration, noise, or other typical problems. If you press frimly the brakes stop you. Quickly. With 139,400 miles I'm sure the brakes have been dealt with prior to my purchase. The issue, however, is hard braking. My new driver (daughter) finds it tough to adjust to the hard braking. Is this a problem that is easily fixed in the driveway? When the pedal is pressed it moves towards the floor. The next depress of the pedal moves it to the floor but not as far as the first. The master cylinder is full. I'm trying to get her a safe car to drive. Thanks

1 Reply

AACPLUS

MEMBER
60 POSTS

Look for wetness (brakefluid) between the master cylinder and the vacuum booster. If wet, replace master cylinder. If not, rear drum brakes out of adjustment or leaking cylinders. Also, if it seems to grab when stopping, you might have the rears looked at. Drums could be out of round as well. Or a bad hose ballooning could do this and be ready to burst. Make sure to look inside dust cover on wheel cylinders, for, they may look dry but be trapping fluid under covers. If leaking, or low shoe lining, replace hydrolics, shoes, Hardware, resurface drums or replace, adjust properly and bleed system properly. If 4 wheel disc, I would suggest having a shop look at the brakes. Also, there could be air trapped in the system,
Hope some of this helps.