Hey guys - I was a Ford man for 14 years, but then I got a good deal on an '03 Mazda Protege, maybe my downfall...there is no Mazda group and Ford enthusiasts in this NG seem to know a lot more about car issues then anybody else.
Anyway, I have had nothing but issues with the brake feel and firmness and pedal height with this car. It has drums in the rear, and it seems like they go out of 'adjustment' so quickly. It is an automatic, I always use the e-brake to keep it from seizing, I know the trick about driving in reverse and hitting the brakes hard, supposedly adjusting them. None of this seems to work. I am constantly pulling the drums and adjusting the ratchet to snug up the shoes then sliding the drum back on and making sure there is a little drag ensuring good pedal height and brake feel. It works for about 5000 miles but then the brakes start to feel 'limp' again and if I pull the wheels and spin the drums they will spin and spin with no slight drag at all. What is the deal, I never had this problem with any of my Fords, but I have a lot invested in this car and hate to part with it just because of the brakes.
Any ideas or thoughts on this?
Thanks, Eric