Check your rear auto adjusters are working - if not working you loose lots of pedal travel getting the shoes to contact the drum..... the pedal will pump up too just like if you have air in the system....

Cheers

cheers guys! this will really help me out

It will be the drums at the back. Jump on the brakes hard in reverse, adjusters never work so do them manually.

Drive it a bit then check them again.

does the pedal feel get better when the handbrake is on, this may indicate the rears need adjusting.

cheers Jesse

is it hard to rebuild a master yourself?

apparently a mate of mine rebuilt his in his rx7...?

You might be able to rebuild the master cylinder, but it may need sleeving. I got a change over unit from Power Brakes in Adelaide for about $250 which is better than the $400 you have been quoted.

Give it to someone who knows what he is doing. Might cost you a few hundred.

Doing it yourselt might cost you your life or someone elses.

DON'T STUFF AROUND WITH BRAKES IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING. AND IT SEEMS YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING.

And I think I should know. Have been a mechanic since 1964.

i rebuild my master myself but saying that i am a mechanic
and if you have any doubt doing it yourself i would recommended getting someone else to do it or buy a new one.

cheers Jesse

fair enough, lol..

i tried the handbrake test, if i really rip it up high, the brake pedal feels better but nothing amazing...

could be both?

after a second try NO, the pedal does not get hard after pumping.

this the one i want?

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/FORD-ESCORT-MK2-RS2000-BRAKE-MASTER-CYLINDER_W0QQitemZ190363432607QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item2c528b769f