Not sure if I have a problem or not! My brakes seem very keen! There is nothing much happening when I first press the pedal then it all comes in at once meaning we stop dead! I've not had it for long but don't know if this is normal or not! The air tanks are full to the top - it's an old 1986 cargo 0813 - thanks :)

Shelley Heywood, March 2013

These always had very grabby brakes when the back brakes weren't adjusted properly.
They are an old truck that require maintenance.
Adjust the back brakes correctly and they will be like new, very common on the Cargo's.

Hippy, October 2021

I know its an age old thread, but it might come in useful for someone.
The calipers are sticking, so the gentle pressure you're exerting wont move the calipers, then all of a sudden the brakes are on. Sometimes its just jerky to drive, other times it's an emergency stop when you least expect it.
Service exchange calipers are expensive, service kits are about 25 quid. Usually the back ones are to blame because of the hand brake and boxes spend more time parked up than ford originally planned.

Jim, June 2015

Hi Shelley - did you ever get anywhere with this ? WE have exactly the same problem with our 1985 cargo. It is so bad that we are now too scared to drive it! First time out, my huge 18hh managed to bend and pop out a very solid partition because we just couldnt manage the breaks at all..... I would consider both my husband and I good steady and safe drivers. I have driven many horseboxes but am petrified of this one because of the dam breaks! I spend the whole time driving it panicking about the next time that I might have to stop! and dread to think what would happen if someone pulled out in front of us etc...... I would be really interested to hear your story.... Thanks for you time, Katie

Katie, May 2013

If you have a Cargo 0813, then you don't have full air brakes. You have an air-over-hydraulic system. When you put your foot on the foot-brake pedal, high pressure air is allowed to enter a chamber and pushes on a diaphragm which pushes on a piston rod in the master cylinder. The piston in the master cylinder generates the hydraulic pressure in brake fluid which is conveyed to the slave cylinders at each wheel where in the case of the 0813, you have disc brakes, so it pushes out a piston in the brake caliper which pushes the pads against the disc.
Air pressure:
Brakes won't operate without about 60 to 80 psi showing on the pressure gauge(s) in the cab. (I.e.can't release handbrake).

JD, April 2013