brakes

[girlycar]

Ford Escort 1998, failed MOT on brakes. Changed slave cylinders,shoes, new adjusters, bled 100 times!!! When you put your foot on the footbrake you can still turn the wheel, but the handbrake will lock on. I'm stuck!

[v64paul]

ok, you have proven the foundation brakes work because the handbrake holds. you can now rule out mechanical failure. clamp each of the flexible brake hoses being very careful not to damage them. only unclamp the one you want to bleed. this effectively reduces the capacity of the hydraulic circuit that you are trying to get rid of the air bubbles in. questions, is it one particular wheel? and if so have you stripped both down? if it is then have a close look at the one that works in case you have built it up wrong. it happens, believe me. stay in touch and good luck! 

[girlycar]

thanks,.. will try clamping,..but there is a lot of pressure there,.. it is both back wheels,.. front ones fine.,

[v64paul]

sure the master cylinder is o.k? does it have a strange device near the rear axle that is in the hydraulic circuit? could be a load sensing valve, designed to regulate the effort at the rear brakes to stop them locking up. i would expect to see this on a van, maybe an estate. not sure about the hatch.

[girlycar]

everything points to master cylinder being ok,.. but will change it next if no joy,..there is no sensor.,.. thanks for helping,.. I am tearing my hair out!!

[v64paul]

no dis respect but it seems that you are pretty clued up. it's always hard to diagnose by remote control! clamp the front hoses only and see if it makes any difference to the feel  of the brake pedal. does it get firmer? it will have dual circuit brakes remember, so you have two independant hydraulic circuits. the front can work fine and not affect the rears.

[girlycar]

no offence taken,.. years of fixing my own cars through lack of money,.. ha ha,..but I can sure use all the help I can get. Thanks for advice, sometimes someone else can see by being further away from the problem,.. wonder if maybe I am missing something simple. Will try again tomorrow and let you know. Thanks again