I have to stop hard, my front brake locks up and drags

KYLE5313

MEMBER
2008 FORD FOCUS
2.4L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
202,000 MILES

Every now and then, usually when I have to stop hard, my front brake locks up and drags. It's done this since I acquired the vehicle about 6 months ago so I try not to push the brakes in very hard. When it does drag or lock up, it's not very hard or for very long but, this evening it locked up hard enough that after driving a couple miles, I got out and looked at it and my rotor was bright red. No dash lights come on or anything. I've bled the brakes, changed that caliper and have put new brakes on the vehicle. Please help!

1 Reply

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,797 POSTS

Good evening,

Good chance the brake hose is collapsed causing the brake to lock up. I would change both sides and flush the brake system. The old dirty fluid is what causes this issue. 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.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-bleed-or-flush-a-car-brake-system

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what happens.

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