[burntoashes]

So today I took my 99 escort and noticed breaks were much weaker and took much longer to stop than usual. Yesterday everything was fine I swear. Eventually, the red break light turned on and stayed on. I noticed if I push/release breaks repeatedly it is better.

What should I do?
Thanks

 

[madmatt2024]

That light turns on when you are low on brake fluid. You have a leak somewhere. Refill the master cylinder with brake fluid before it runs out and don't drive it too much until you find out where the leak is and fix it.

 

[pextor]

keep the bottle in the car, drive directly to the garage.

 

[EscorGo]

Ohhh, you mean "brake" problem. I thought you broke something unusual.
If you don't feel confident that you can locate and fix the brake system leak yourself then head directly to the shop - do not pass Go. Keep the cylinder full.

 

[burntoashes]

Sorry for the mistake haha, brake it is.
So I went to a garage to get told the whole ''brake wire system'' was broke and that it would cost over 1000CAD to be repaired.. which sadly won't happen, since it is almost as much as the value of the car. RIP my escort

 

[Silex]

:lol: typical dishonest mechanic is taking you for a ride bud.

a complete set of brake lines on these cars runs for about 250 -300$ Front to rear in Stainless steel , most of the time its just a roll 25' long ( about 25- 30$ ) a few fittings ( i have gotten away with reusing old fittings if there not totally fubar by cleaning htem up on a wire wheel bench grinder or dremal

You mentioned CAD so your Canadian i presume , there is a store known as princess auto up here or canadian tire, get over to a store an pick up a brake line flaring tool kit runs fro about $20 - $60

looks like this
http://www.stu-offroad.com/suspension/f ... l/ft-0.jpg

for difficult areas just make a short section and match as close as you can to the old lines shape for that area.

doing brake lines is really easy but it can be time consuming.

dont believe everything a mechanic tells you. if you can bend an connect "bendy" straws you can flare an re run your own brake lines.

~Adam

 

[Silex]

dont be afraid to ask if you have never done it before , there are some tricks an techniques that are used but nothing top secret.

its usually the rear lines that spring a leak first but just skim over the car an look for any wet area's on the brake lines. you MAY get lucky an be able to cut out the bad section and remake a small section .

this is a decent basic how to

 

[LOWETGT]

So I went to a garage to get told the whole ''brake wire system'' was broke

Is this terminology correct? "wire" to me suggests an ABS issue. Not even close to your earlier description. I say follow the brake lines to find leak for yourself, then find a shop that is honest...

 

[burntoashes]

Brake line is more correct I guess. I'm french canadian so I have no idea of the correct terminology.

 

[delayedinsanity]

If you're not up to making your own lines, go check out eBay for a new set. There's a seller on there who has SS braided lines for about $60-70 and they're located in Canada so the shipping would probably be extremely fast.

The hardest part about changing lines on these cars is how long it's been since they were changed (if ever). Pick up a bottle of penetrant (pb blaster, gunk, whatever works for you), and make sure you clean the areas well with brake cleaner and a wire brush.

Don't waste your time with a line wrench (flare nut wrench) and just snap a set of vise grips to either side to break the seal. Replace old lines, bleed, drive away for well under $100.

 

[madmatt2024]

If you're not up to making your own lines, go check out eBay for a new set. There's a seller on there who has SS braided lines for about $60-70 and they're located in Canada so the shipping would probably be extremely fast.

Those are only from the hard lines to the calipers, not the complete system.

 

[delayedinsanity]

I was presuming he'd find the leak somewhere in the 'soft' lines. My mistake though, I guess it could be anywhere.

 

[Silex]

my $ is on either the back S line to the rear drums or the rear subframe lines both very common areas ,

 

[burntoashes]

Thanks all for trying to help, but I have some problems that sadly you guys can't help;
I need a car quickly, I live in an appartment, so fixing my car in winter will be a pain, and honestly I don't really have the time to do all of this repair with school and work.

 

[madmatt2024]

Just try another shop. The one that quoted you over $1000 is a retarded. Just tell the new shop you are sure you have a brake leak and would like to have it checked out. It is best to know where the problem is before you get to the shop though because it saves the shop time and thus saves you money and because they know you know what the problem is they are less likely to tack other things on to the bill.

 

[burntoashes]

Actually they really are retarded 'cause at first they said it was 1000$ for the break line problem. When I got back to get my car today, I got the ''review'' and it was like 500-600 for the line, and about 400 'cause the back brakes are 85% used. Still, it adds up to a around 1000$ bill.

 

[delayedinsanity]

So that's about $300 labor to replace your rear drum pads? They must think they're working on Ferrari's or something.

 

[LOWETGT]

Still sounds outrageous! Rear shoes, hardware, and wheel cylinders; $300 tops! Running new brake lines 2 hrs labor tops. If they can't do it in a reasonable amount of time and price, I wouldn't trust them anyway. I have replaced EVERYTHING brake related on a plow truck in like 6 hrs! Crusty and nasty at every turn. I would take it somewhere else to get second opinion.