When taking off it seemed like my brakes were locking up?

2012 FORD ESCAPE
97,000 MILES • 2.3L • 4 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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PANTHERISMYTAT
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When i came to a stop or when taking off it seemed like my brakes were locking up. i looked at rotors and they were rusty so i changed them and the brake pads even though they were still like brand new, and my car still stops on its own when coming to a stop sign and when taking off. it doesn't pull to the left or right. so, I was wondering could both front calipers be going bad or is the brake booster going out? or do you have any other theories?
Jul 24, 2022 at 6:32 PM
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STRAILER
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Yep, this happens when the brake booster is going out or the brake master is getting stuck and not returning completely. To see what's going on raise the front of the car up, then loosen the brake master mounting bolts three turns. If the front wheels start turning, remove the master and try adjusting the booster push rod inward two turns and reassemble to see if that works. If not, you will need to replace the booster and brake master. Here is a guide to help raise the car:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/jack-up-and-lift-your-car-safely

And you will need to bleed the brake master before installation.

https://youtu.be/WDxvEQrMkBg

Check out the diagrams (below). Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem.
Jul 25, 2022 at 10:08 AM
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PANTHERISMYTAT
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to reply what i was told to do for my master cylinder and brake booster on a 2012 ford escape on the push rod there is no adjustment and it goes in a 2 inch extension from the master cylinder so this didn't help.
Aug 3, 2022 at 8:31 AM
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STRAILER
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Okay, did you loosen the mounting bolts to the master three turns to see if the wheels started to turn? (Do not drive)
Aug 3, 2022 at 11:09 AM
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PANTHERISMYTAT
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no, the tires did not turn.
Aug 3, 2022 at 2:06 PM
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STRAILER
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Okay, let's open the brake caliper bleeders in the front and see if brake fluid comes out and at that time see if the wheels turn.
Aug 4, 2022 at 6:21 PM
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PANTHERISMYTAT
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Okay, after changing the calipers and they wouldn't release. i loosened the nuts on the master cylinder and either a puff of air came out or suctioned and then the brakes released.
Aug 5, 2022 at 5:01 PM
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STRAILER
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okay, it sounds like the booster is bad, or on the outside chance the master is sticking and when you loosened the mounting nuts it released.
Aug 5, 2022 at 6:26 PM