Help! scary brakes - 96 Windstar GL

I have a 96 with the 3.8, 165,000 miles. Recently the brakes have been causing concern. They need a great deal of pressure to get the thing stopped - seems to be worse at low speed - fine if you plan ahead but it's only a matter of time before I rear end someone. The brakes used to be great - what happened? The front pads and rotors are almost new, rear shoes showing lots of life, just successfully bled the system. No leaks or warning lights on. Anyone any ideas?

Have you investigated if your vacuum booster, master cylinder are functioning properly? Better braking at high engine speeds and scary at low engine speeds may indicate a lack of vaccum from the engine or the vacuum booster has a problem. It could be tested with a vacuum test gauge with vacuum applied and seeing if it holds vacuum. When you bled it, did it drain easily from the master cylinder reservoir? If not, you may have a blockage. Did you investigate if the reservoir is contaminated? Hope this helps.

Also check the check valve to the booster. Its cheap as well..

Thanks guys, it makes sense that it would be the vacuum booster or something related. Don't think I have a blockage anywhere in the master cylinder. I'll do some checking / testing as per my Haynes manual - it gives various methods to check as you sit in the drivers seat.

Garync1, you suggest that the booster is cheap - lowest price I found was $125 (being a Scot, that's not cheap :lol: ) Do you know of a cheaper source other than a junk yard?

Thanks
Robert

Thanks guys, it makes sense that it would be the vacuum booster or something related. Don't think I have a blockage anywhere in the master cylinder. I'll do some checking / testing as per my Haynes manual - it gives various methods to check as you sit in the drivers seat.

Garync1, you suggest that the booster is cheap - lowest price I found was $125 (being a Scot, that's not cheap :lol: ) Do you know of a cheaper source other than a junk yard?

Thanks
Robert
NOPE the Booster is not cheap but the little black part where the hose plugs into, then plugs into the booster is. And thats a check valve. lets air flow when needed but keeps it from loosing air back into the system.. Just like a foot valve on a water pump...Trust me!!change that little round plastic part first. Go to the Auto parts store and ask someone who knows, most all have them. But they act like they don't know what you are talking about when you asked them.. Drives me crazy sometimes. If that does not work then replace the booster. But I think you may have some luck with this..It the Round Looking thing that plugged into the booster and the hose follows that...