Soft brakes?

Jamie-b

Hi, I got a ford fiesta a while ago, my first car ever, and my accompanying driver pointed out the brakes are very soft. You have to push them in a lot before it slows the car, whereas her car starts to slow when the pedal is pushed in a tiny bit. Is this normal? When I was taking driving lessons my instructor said it was just becuase his car had a bigger engine that the brakes were different. (also a fiesta) I'm just wondering in case there is a problem (the car was in great condition, low milage, and fully serviced)

EPM

My first car was a Fiesta zetec and the brakes were rubbish enough I always thought

AzureAuto

If the service history doesnt incude a brake fluid change in a least the last two years, that would be the best place to start Over time, brake fluid absorbs water from the air and causes the brake pedal to become "spongy". 40E would cover the labur and new fluid for a Fiesta.

DublinDilbert

Also make sure rear shoes (if fitted) are adjusted correctly, cause if they are not they will cause excessive travel on the brake pedal, making it feel spongy as you say.

CJhaughey

They may just need to be bled. Air in the lines will give you spongy brakes as it compresses.

corktina

if you are at all concerned , a brake overhaul wont cost the earth and will put your mind at rest.Your local back street garage should be able to do this quite reasonably.

Mr.David

As mentioned, probably just needs new fluid.

Apart from that, it could be partly due to worn pads that result in more pedal travel before any contact is made with the discs.

mickdw

Mr.David wrote: »

As mentioned, probably just needs new fluid.

Apart from that, it could be partly due to worn pads that result in more pedal travel before any contact is made with the discs.

Worn pads wont result in more pedal travel unless there is a problem with a partially seized caliper or someting like that. Poor adjustment of rear brake shoes if fitted could be causing it too.

zilog_jones

The brakes used to be crap in my Fiesta, especially the handbrake - then the rear brakes failed the NCT. The self-adjusters on the rear drums had seized, got that sorted out and braking was much better.

Mr.David

mickdw wrote: »

Worn pads wont result in more pedal travel unless there is a problem with a partially seized caliper or someting like that. Poor adjustment of rear brake shoes if fitted could be causing it too.

Meant to say unevenly worn pads i.e. pads with a taper wear issue.

Jamie-b

Thanks for the replies. I guess my question is how should it feel when you put in the brake? If you put in the brake a tiny bit can you feel your own car slow? My mams reckons they are much softer than hers but my dad and driving instructor said they're fine. (no one else has driven it and I have never driven another car so I don't know if they're fine or "soft")

corktina

listen to your driving instructer....

zilog_jones

Brake pedals have different sensitivity in different cars. But if you have trouble with the handbrake (lots of travel or not stopping the car easily on steep hills) you probably have the same problem as I did. It was an easy fix, no new parts or anything.