03 Brake Problem

[Premier03]

I have a 03 Mountaineer. Having a little bit of a brake problem that i will describe. A few weeks ago i parked my mounty at work which is on a slight hill so i put the parking brake on. Well when i went to leave the parking brake would not release.

Well i backed up just a little and pulled the lever and it released. Well that was the start of the problems. A week or so later the Abs Light Came on and then went back off.

Well it seems like it is kinda shuddering like warped rotors if you press on the brakes with any force to stop. The rotors do feel like the pads are not hitting them right like they are warped. Also now the parking brake wont hold the car.

What exactly could be wrong? I can change the brakes and rotors but i have no idea on the parking brake?

Will

 

[Curtis]

The park brake is mechanical and are separate pads inside the rear rotors.
I seriously doubt using the hand brake had any effect on the abs light coming on. Just a coincidence I would think.

As for warped rotors I really cant see how using the hand brake would cause that either..

Rear brakes are not hard to do.
Some have problems getting the rotors off to replace them because the hand brake shoes are tight inside the rear of it. Just a little persistence will get them off.

 

[Premier03]

Pics of my rotors. They looked to be finished.

 

[zerodevil]

yup time for new rotors bud. check out some power stop drilled rotors, got my pretty cheep of of ebay, love em.

 

[srk22]

Sounds like your rear parking pads seized up/split from the backing...Typical of the 3rd gens..
They were a pain to replace the first time around as they are on the backside almost like a mini drum. If you like being under your car frustrated as all hell, then give it a try Seriously though, just make sure you give yourself some extra time to finish the job.

 

[mounty2004]

Yeah I think its about time to change your rotor and pad

 

[Premier03]

Today is going to be the day when i try my first crack at changing these puppies.

 

[Premier03]

Changed and boy those rotors were finished. The parking brake and rotor had rusted to the hub took forever but runs and stops great.

Only thing is that abs light is still on.


Will

 

[zerodevil]

hmm, check your brake fluid level...and pick up a cheep OBD2 reader...i guess i should have warned to invest in a nice rubber mallet or a pry bar...those rear rotors ALWAYS rust...my new rotors are Zink plated so they wont...what brand did you go with bud?

 

[jrford]

i had to toss my rears rotors too way to much rust, parking doubled the cost no less for something i only use 4 times. .

ABS light -
Basic reader probably wont read ABS codes, you can get software for a laptop that will which isn't too expensive. The stealer will want some $$$ to read it for you, but call around and check with, a small local brake shop may do it for half the price.

But the most common failure, and cheaper yet, its the Master Cyl Pressure switch, a little sensor sitting next the fluid reservoir with two wires coming out of it, about $20 from the dealer. Cruise doesn't work either, came on sometime right away or 30min after you started.

Second is the Rear ABS sensor which sits on top of the Diff, $50. I got a light soon or right after startup.

After that it could be one of the front sensors which can run $30-70, ABS light came on at startup.

You could throw money at it, been there done that, or get those codes read which will tell you what sensor that failed, no guessing. Or wind up with extra sensors, like me, if they are Motorcraft Rear ABS Sensor and Master Cyl Pressure Switch.

When i bought them, i planned on replacing them all until i got the software. For me it turned out to be a front ABS wire that broke, lucky i had and extra from a wheel bearing.

 

[Premier03]

Thanks for the info on the abs light i will get it scanned very soon. I replaced the rear rotors and pads with stockers. I did it myself in about 30 mins. It wasnt that bad really. I love this mountaineer. I just wish it had more power.

 

[zerodevil]

cough SUPERCHARGER cough cough

there are quite a few power adding fiends on the modified forum ^.^

 

[Premier03]

Yeah that would be the best thing. I miss the supercharger whine of my GTP. Just havent really decided if i am going to try and mod this thing. I do have a intake and im working on apperance mods as we speak.