My Escort estate 1996 1.6 Zetec makes creaking noises when applying the brakes or foot off throttle. The noise is coming from the front. On acceleration it goes. When I pushed both wings the passenger one was fine but the drivers side makes a creak...... what could it be?

Also...... My temp gauge does not work, any ideas?

 

Temp gauge could be something as simple as the sender's connector has popped of the sender. 5 second job once you've found it

If it's creaking when you brake, and when you lean on it, you might just have a slightly binding caliper or drum that needs seeing to. By the sounds of it, it's the drivers side front caliper. For a quick check, jack it up on each side and spin the wheels by hand - they should both spin quite freely.

 

the front brake flexi pipes are very common on these models for going faulty, the inside of them collapses and dont let fluid return to the master cylinder so if the caliper is sticking try opening the bleed nipple and if the piston then moves freely then its just the flexi hose that needs replaced

 

Ok!! Jacked her up earlier. The drivers wheel hardly moved!! I hit the brake caliper with my hammer and squirted tons of WD-40 all over the caliper.....its a bit better now!

How do I bleed a brake caliper nipple, what tools do I need?

 

Glad you found the problem mate But it sounds like you need to have that caliper refurbished - usually costs around £90, and is much better in the long run. You'll pat yourself on the back afterwards

Any garage should be able to get it done for you.

To bleed a nipple (sounds so wrong ), on the inboard side of the caliper, there should be a small cap, like a tyre valve cap. That covers the bleed nipple to keep the grit and muck off it. For the bleeding procedure, take a look in your Haynes comic - an essential tool - that'll have the whole procedure.

 

I'm in MK dude, if you ever need advice or someone to give you a hand/point you in the right direction on the car give us a shout.

I recently rebuild the calipers on my saph, its an easy enough job to do when you need that doing.

 

Thanks mate

If I could drop my car off with you one day/weekend would you mind doing them for me? Also the cambelt needs doing.....can you do that?

I will pay you in cash for any work carried out.

Will PM you my number now.

 

1. WD40 won't help your brakes perform
2. WD40 causes rubber to perish, which you don't want.

 

spring snapped?
usual reason for creak from 1 shock, calipers dont usually creak, escort calipers are shite for sticking too
pick up a good rs2000 front brake set up maybe on escort evo

 

The calipers on your car should only be around £35 exchange recon.
tabetha