When taking off it seemed like my brakes were locking up?

Tiny
PANTHERISMYTAT
  • MEMBER
  • 2012 FORD ESCAPE
  • 2.3L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 97,000 MILES
When I came to a stop or when taking off it seemed like my brakes were locking up. I looked at rotors and they were rusty so I changed them and the brake pads even though they were still like brand new, and my car still stops on its own when coming to a stop sign and when taking off. It doesn't pull to the left or right. So, I was wondering could both front calipers be going bad or is the brake booster going out? Or do you have any other theories?
Sunday, July 24th, 2022 AT 6:32 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
Yep, this happens when the brake booster is going out or the brake master is getting stuck and not returning completely. To see what's going on raise the front of the car up, then loosen the brake master mounting bolts three turns. If the front wheels start turning, remove the master and try adjusting the booster push rod inward two turns and reassemble to see if that works. If not, you will need to replace the booster and brake master. Here is a guide to help raise the car:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/jack-up-and-lift-your-car-safely

And you will need to bleed the brake master before installation.

https://youtu.be/WDxvEQrMkBg

Check out the diagrams (below). Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem.
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Monday, July 25th, 2022 AT 10:08 AM
Tiny
PANTHERISMYTAT
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
To reply what I was told to do for my master cylinder and brake booster on a 2012 ford escape on the push rod there is no adjustment and it goes in a 2 inch extension from the master cylinder so this didn't help.
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Wednesday, August 3rd, 2022 AT 8:31 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
Okay, did you loosen the mounting bolts to the master three turns to see if the wheels started to turn? (Do not drive)
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Wednesday, August 3rd, 2022 AT 11:09 AM
Tiny
PANTHERISMYTAT
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
No, the tires did not turn.
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Wednesday, August 3rd, 2022 AT 2:06 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
Okay, let's open the brake caliper bleeders in the front and see if brake fluid comes out and at that time see if the wheels turn.
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Thursday, August 4th, 2022 AT 6:21 PM
Tiny
PANTHERISMYTAT
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Okay, after changing the calipers and they wouldn't release. I loosened the nuts on the master cylinder and either a puff of air came out or suctioned and then the brakes released.
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Friday, August 5th, 2022 AT 5:01 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
Okay, it sounds like the booster is bad, or on the outside chance the master is sticking and when you loosened the mounting nuts it released.
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Friday, August 5th, 2022 AT 6:26 PM

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