All four brakes locked up

GENNAJ95

MEMBER
2007 FORD FOCUS
AUTOMATIC
190,000 MILES

All 4 of my brakes decided to lock up on me today to the point they was smoking and the brake pedal could not be pressed down at all. After sitting for about 40 minutes the have seemed to unlock themselves and the brake pedal was loose again and I was free to drive.

I have had the car for 1 month with no issues then today this happened out of nowhere. I have read somewhere that the brake booster master cylinder pin sometimes can go out too far causing the system to not fully close therefore keeping the brakes clamped down. Have also read these cars are fairly familiar with busted brake lines on the inside. The rear brakes are drum and the front are calipers and all 4 locked up simultaneously all 4 had smoke coming out.

1 Reply

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
43,072 POSTS

This happens when the brake booster push rod is adjusted out too far which does no allow the brake master to return fully holding the brakes on. To confirm the issue loosen the brake master mounting bolts 3 turns to see if the car starts to roll again, if so remove the master and adjust the booster push rod inward. Also a brake flex hose can come apart internally causing a short of check valve in the system but this is usually isolated to one brake either front or rear. Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem.