Brake failure!

[ChimpAndy]

Hi everyone, just joined up to get some advice from the more knowledgeable people here! I left work today, probably drove 200m and had to stop at a junction. I applied the breaks and nothing happened! After pushing the breaks harder there was finally enough force to stop, I wasn't going fast and the car stopped with its nose only poking a little way into the junction. I drove off down the road and tested the breaks a few more times and eventually they started working again.....

The brakes were fine for the rest of the journey. I stopped at tesco and when I left they were still fine. When I got home I switched off and left the car for an hour. Pumped the brakes to remove any residule power assistance and started up again and the brakes still worked.

I'm no expert on cars but I would like to avoid going through that again. Any ideas what could cause it? I drive a 2016 5.0 GT. The car was serviced a week and a half ago and the brake fluid was replaced. I have driven it quite a bit since with no issues and the level is still fine.

Thanks in advance!

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[Mach VII]

Did you check the fluid level?

 

[ChimpAndy]

Did you check the fluid level?

Yeah level is on the max line. Had the fluid changed during a service by ford a week and a half ago.

 

[Roadsign]

What were the weather conditions? A layer of water between the pads and rotors can cause the issue you're describing. It can happen while driving in rain and even if the vehicle sits out in the weather.
Not a bad idea to inspect the brake system also.

 

[SmokinAces]

By any chance did they change your pads also?

 

[ChimpAndy]

What were the weather conditions? A layer of water between the pads and rotors can cause the issue you're describing. It can happen while driving in rain and even if the vehicle sits out in the weather.
Not a bad idea to inspect the brake system also.

Surely thats not a problem with modern brakes? my car has been parked in the rain all day. Never experienced anything like that before though. My brakes and lines were inspected as part of the Ford 5 year service and no issues were found. This was obviously only a visual though so wouldent detect problems with the master cylinder etc.

 

[ChimpAndy]

By any chance did they change your pads also?

No still have the same pads. I have used the brakes quite a bit since the service too

 

[beetle6986]

They may have introduced air into your brake lines when they replaced the fluid. The master cylinder can go dry or air can be introduced through the bleeder screw if not done properly.

 

[ChimpAndy]

They may have introduced air into your brake lines when they replaced the fluid. The master cylinder can go dry or air can be introduced through the bleeder screw if not done properly.

Brakes don't feel spongy. They feel very normal.

 

[ChimpAndy]

I'm wondering if there might have been an issue with the brake booster or vacuum? I'm not an expert on brake systems though.

 

[NightmareMoon]

Yeah, the brake fluid service you had recently is almost certainly related. Take note - that shop can't be trusted anymore to do work correctly. I'd take it back and give them the option to deal with it, or take it to a better shop and cut ties with that place immediately.

Brake fluid flushing, done correctly will absolutely NOT result in a surprise brake failure like this. The messed something up and that's serious when its the brakes.

 

[Veteran]

They may have introduced air into your brake lines when they replaced the fluid. The master cylinder can go dry or air can be introduced through the bleeder screw if not done properly.

This...

 

[ChimpAndy]

This...

Wouldent you expect the brake pedal to feel spongy? I have driven over 400 miles since the service and not had any issues till now.

 

[Jupiter Sean]

Bleed your brakes again.
Do it yourself this time...

 

[ChimpAndy]

Bleed your brakes again.
Do it yourself this time...

Wouldn't air in the system be present all the time? I have driven about 400 miles and only now I'm having issues. I will definatly give it a go though!

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