Ford Focus Style Problem

DanGalway

Hi All,

Don't know if im posting in the right place but here it goes.

I have a 2008 Ford Focus Style 1.4 litre petrol. I have been having a problem recently - when im starting the car in the mornings or after long periods of time (1-2 days), put it into reverse gear etc, let go of hand brake, the car will not reverse out of the driveway.

It kind of stalls, feels like something is attached to the bottom of the car and hitting the ground. I have to give it a good bit of power until the car finally goes, but it causes a loud click / cracking / releasing sound.

Just to note, i am left handed so all my power goes into the hand brake etc, i might be too hard with it at times, whether or not that might be a part of the problem maybe...?

I am going to bring it into the garage for a look, im just wondering if anybody else had a similar problem to the above.

Thanks in advance

corktina

park it in gear with the handbrake off...put a brick under the wheel if it's a steep slope.

cletus

have you drum brakes on the rear? Sounds like the shoes are binding to the drum. Were the shoes ever replaced

Waterson

Yes definietly sounds like binding shoes. If it recurs, it may be an idea to remove rear wheels and brake drums and inspect the braking components. They may be seized and only require releasing and lubricating or alternatively could possibly be a seized handbrake cable. Usually worst in cold weather. As CorkTina says, a short term solution would be avoiding using the handbrake. Your mighty left hand has, alas, very little to do with this...

DanGalway

Thanks for the replies guys!

Brought it into the garage anyway, but nothing was wrong, i have been having no problems since!

The bottom of the car has been cleaned so must have been dirt etc....?

Thanks!