Hi guys,

Just had my rear brakes replaced (hand brake was sticking in cold weather) and when I was driving back from the garage the foot brake seemed to go further to the floor than I am use to, quite a bit more. It’s not like I was having a problem stopping, I was just surprised how much the peddle went down. When I did get home, I tried pumping the brake pedal for a while to see if that does anything, but doesn't feel any different.

I was under the impression that the rear brakes which are drum and shoe brakes were only for the hand brake. If this is not the case, I would have thought new brakes would make the peddle brake sooner.

So firstly, is that correct or do the foot brakes also operate the rear brakes?

Secondly what could they possibly have done to have loosened the foot brake (first time I've been to that garage so it wouldn't surprise me if they did something just to get a repeat sale from me)?

and finally, what could I do to try and fix this, if the brake pedal does operate the rear brakes would tightening up the hand brake cable do much?

Any advice is welcomed

Thanks.

P.S. It's a 2000 Fabia, 1.4 MPi

Edited 16 March, 201115 yr by bushell89

It will take the brake linings a while to bed in. Assuming the garage cleaned the adjusters, they are self adjusting. The brake pedal also operates the back brakes (40% rear braking) so any high spots on the new linings will give a softer pedal for a while.

All of that assumes the garage did not screw up and allow air into the system.