Hi guys. I've been having trouble with weak brakes on my 2001 Tribute. It has the drum brakes in rear, disk up front.
Ever since I bought the car from my Dad, the brakes have felt really weak. I don't remember the car acting this way when it was new.
I had new rotors and pads put on up front and new shoes installed in the rear, and it didn't help at all.
The pedal doesn't seem to travel too far, I just really have to stand on the brakes to get it to stop abruptly.
I read in other posts here that it may be the brake booster losing vacuum. However, when I turn off the car and pump the brakes a few times and then start the car while applying brake pressure, the pedal does move to the floor a little. I read that if the boost vacuum were the issue, the pedal wouldn't move in any more with the same amount of force when I started it.
So am I back to square one, or could it still be an issue with the booster even if it passes that test?
Thanks for your help!

 

Could still be a faulty booster.

 

The booster is helping as the test results indicate. But, is it helping as much as it did before? It is possible the vacuum line to the booster has a leak or is loose at either end. It is also possible for a restriction or obstruction in the vacuum line which would reduce available assistance. If the diaphragm inside the booster leaked, you might get reduced assistance. The final thing would be the valve internal to the booster could be not opening properly, or have an obstruction that slowed the vacuum application. You would not see the slowness when you did the test sitting still, but might notice the lack of boost when driving, as in, it is not helping now, but give it a few seconds and the boost starts to kick in.
tom