After the recent trip to the Black Forest (lots of braking!) I've got a mushy brake pedal. I've bled the system a number of times and it's still not quite right. I noticed that there is some noise from one of the wheel cylinders when I press the brake pedal in a quiet garage. I'm suspecting that the wheel cylinder is failing internally. I want to replace it as they are cheap and an easy swap. However, there seems to be two variants: Bore/piston diameter of 22.2mm or 20.64mm.

I've got the Sierra 9" drums fitted. The wheels cylinders I originally fitted have QH part number BWC3485, which translates to an Escort/Orion fitment, so that is a bit misleading, but they work! Doea anybody know the correct wheel cylinders that should be fitted for my 9" drum brakes?

Many thanks,

David.

Wheel cylinders can't make a noise, pull the drum off and you will find something is detached in side the drum, possibly the spring on the self-adjuster mecanism or a shoe hold down spring.

The reason why Escort Mk3 wheel cylinders were fitted is to adjust the front rear brake bias to prevent rear wheel locking.

Thanks Trident.

Took the drums off. Everything looks in order. Perhaps its the master cylinder on its way out.

If when press and release the brake pedal you get a creaking noise from the rear brake and excess pedal travel it points to the self-adjuster on that wheel. The noise is made by the adjuster ratchet taking up travel when the pedal is pushed but slipping back when the pedal is released.

I fitted the Sierra ones for IVA and failed.

Fitted Ford Festa ones and passed.

I've got a Fiesta pressure reducing valve and that worked fine for IVA.

I think the noise from testing the brakes is a red-herring. I've since noticed that the pedal has some slack in it before it has resistance, i.e. the push rod now moves in a few mm before contacting the piston. It was not like this before, so has got me thinking it is a master cylinder issue. Will try one more bleed before I swap any bits.