Sharp brakes

I bought a three-year-old 1.6 Focus, and have had trouble with the brakes being abrupt however lightly I apply pressure. I looked on the internet and found that others have had the same problem, with little help from the dealers.

One suggestion was to change the front pads, which I have done with good results. However, I have a nasty feeling that the problem is returning as the new pads bed in. It would appear that the vacuum servo is coming on too abruptly. Is there any adjustment that I can do to the system to alleviate the problem? Peter Eames The modern car has been designed to require far less effort from the driver. As a result, the feel of a new vehicle is very different from early cars, which had neither power steering nor power-assisted braking. However, too much assistance with braking can be hazardous – there are no adjustments that can be made and it would be detrimental to decrease the efficiency of the braking system.

Ford do specify a diagnostic procedure in the case of complaints. The test for brakes that lock under low brake pressure is to replace or deglaze the brake pads. This seems to have helped your situation, although you’re concerned the benefit of this action may be slowly wearing off. This could indicate that the brake pads are glazing as they settle in and possibly removing and refacing the brake lining using a coarse grade paper – such as a 60-grade aluminium oxide sandpaper – may restore the less sharp feel of the pedal. As the action of replacing the brake pads has remedied the situation (albeit temporarily), I do not believe you have a brake booster problem as this would not have been altered by the change in pads.