dprocket
Member
- Joined
- May 3, 2016
- Messages
- 14
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Kansas City
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2002 Mercury Mountaineer
I am working on a 2002 Mercury Mountaineer, V6-FlexFuel AWD.
This wekeend, I replaced the rear brake pads and rotors. Also, the parking brakes on both sides were completely shot. I also replaced the parking brake pads. This is the first time I've done this on this style of parking brake. I had a heckuva time getting those springs attached, but I got it done. (is there any recommended tool that makes process easier???)
Upon completion, I took the car for a test drive and noticed that there is a loud "scraping" sound coming from rear driver side.
After listening to this I ascertained that the caliper must not be releasing and probably needed to be replaced.
Next, I bled the brake lines with new fluid and did another test drive. Same result (I was hoping that the old, gunky brake fluid may have been interfering wiht the caliper and that would resolve the issue).
Next, I replaced the driver side caliper. When I was replacing it, I did notice that the inside (piston side) brake pad seemed "stuck" to the rotor, but everything else looked like it was in order: the rotor and pads looked good, the brake line bled fine (did not appear to have any obstructions in the brake line), there was not any excessive wear or destruction of either pads or rotor. Everything is still new.
After installation of the new caliper, I went for another test drive. Same issue. Loud scraping on the rear, driver side. It seems to let up when I turn left/bear left, and when I go straight, bear/turn right, it comes back.
Since the pads, rotor, caliper are all new, I now suspect that it's a problem with the parking brake pads.
Is it possible these are not installed correctly? Perhaps not adjusted properly? Maybe, the pads are not aligned properly so they are rubbing on the rotor all the time? Does this make sense? (NOTE: I have ensured that I am not driving with the parking brake engaged.)
What other steps should I take to troubleshoot? I considered going back in and just removing the parking brake pads from the driver side, reassembling to see if it goes away. Is there any safety concern to doing this? (I don't even think I need these pads for driving.) If the sound goes away, it would confirm they were what was creating the scraping noise.
Any other suggestions? I'm almost at my wit's end!
This wekeend, I replaced the rear brake pads and rotors. Also, the parking brakes on both sides were completely shot. I also replaced the parking brake pads. This is the first time I've done this on this style of parking brake. I had a heckuva time getting those springs attached, but I got it done. (is there any recommended tool that makes process easier???)
Upon completion, I took the car for a test drive and noticed that there is a loud "scraping" sound coming from rear driver side.
After listening to this I ascertained that the caliper must not be releasing and probably needed to be replaced.
Next, I bled the brake lines with new fluid and did another test drive. Same result (I was hoping that the old, gunky brake fluid may have been interfering wiht the caliper and that would resolve the issue).
Next, I replaced the driver side caliper. When I was replacing it, I did notice that the inside (piston side) brake pad seemed "stuck" to the rotor, but everything else looked like it was in order: the rotor and pads looked good, the brake line bled fine (did not appear to have any obstructions in the brake line), there was not any excessive wear or destruction of either pads or rotor. Everything is still new.
After installation of the new caliper, I went for another test drive. Same issue. Loud scraping on the rear, driver side. It seems to let up when I turn left/bear left, and when I go straight, bear/turn right, it comes back.
Since the pads, rotor, caliper are all new, I now suspect that it's a problem with the parking brake pads.
Is it possible these are not installed correctly? Perhaps not adjusted properly? Maybe, the pads are not aligned properly so they are rubbing on the rotor all the time? Does this make sense? (NOTE: I have ensured that I am not driving with the parking brake engaged.)
What other steps should I take to troubleshoot? I considered going back in and just removing the parking brake pads from the driver side, reassembling to see if it goes away. Is there any safety concern to doing this? (I don't even think I need these pads for driving.) If the sound goes away, it would confirm they were what was creating the scraping noise.
Any other suggestions? I'm almost at my wit's end!