FloydH

Hi all, my Mk4 1.1 - bodied Escort's brakes lock up under heavy braking as it's been lowered so is acting like it's got a bootful of luggage when it's empty. What do you all do to compensate for this?

haz87

Fit compensation valves to the rear line(s). KA ones are pretty small and unobtrusive IIRC

FloydH

Brill thanks

Found some but it's gona cost about £50 for the pair

Think it's prob time for new wheel cylinders too, back brakes seem to be binding intermittently

While I was looking for some i saw mine are prob 17.5mm diameter pistons, they also seem to be available in 19 or 22.2mm. Do you think going for the larger ones would be a good alternative way to calm the rears down? Was thinking the larger piston size would reduce brake effort, as long as they'll fit?

haz87

Im not sure if the mounting hole/bolt alignments is the same across the models tbh, only really messed with the larger drums/22mm variant of piston. Wouldn't it just make for a longer pedal tho due to the volume increase in fluid movement if you did go larger rather than affecting the effort (at the point of bite). You could easily find some comp valves off a KA in a scrappy for less than a tenner i'd imagine unless you need/want to go brand new?

FloydH

Decided to do as you advised in the end and go the tried-and-tested route, most scrappys closed up around here now so went further afield & scored a couple of Ka valves cheap as chips True no need to buy new not much to go wrong is there! Ordered up a couple of standard-bore wheel cylinders too from thee bay so will get all done & bled same time. Great stuff

Ta again for your help bud cheers