Help! Corsica cold brake clunking, grabbing

[kezel]

Having brake problems that are getting worse, not sure if it's a single problem or multiple problems. Started with ABS light coming on after driving a short distance, then started hearing a clunking noise when braking when the car had just been started. Now, in addition to the ABS light and clunking noise, sometimes (still when cold) just as the car is about to come to a stop during braking, the brakes suddenly grab and the car jolts to a halt. After the car warms up, the only problem is the ABS light remains on. Also, as far as I can tell, the ABS action doesn't work.

Here's what's been tried: front and back brake shoes replaced, then had diagnostic code pulled from computer, which indicated a problem with one of the front rotors. That rotor was replaced, with no improvement. Brake system has also been bled. I'm not sure if the symptoms that appeared later (clunking/grabbing) could have been caused by a mistake being made in attempts to fix the original ABS problems.

I'm no expert mechanic, but to save money I'd like to try to fix this myself. Any help would be appreciated.

[corsifreek]

i have had the same problem with mine. when i would back outta the drive way i would hit my brakes and the car would shift and look and feel pretty wierd with the tires at different hights. there is one thing that i tried that actually worked. find a back road that no one should be driving on, with a long staight away. put the car in reverse and floor it. when you hear the rev really high slam on the brakes. when you do this it re aligns the pads and shoes with the rotors and drums. try it and let me know how it turns out.

[kezel]

I tried your suggestion, no luck. Any other ideas?

[corsifreek]

i would recomend purchasing a hanes book on the car. i will check mine and get back to you.

[william_dastrup]

My corsica has the same problem. The antilock brakes seam to work, but my brakes seam to grab right as I come to a stop. Then after I start driving agian, they let go hard. I originally thought it was the brake shoes on the back that were causing the problem, but when I took the tires off, they look fine. It is especially fun when my brakes lock up, and then the antilock brakes system fires cause they aren't supposed to let the wheels lock, so it lets go, but then grabs real hard again and lets go. If I run through a puddle while I am stopping or if there is sand on the road, the car goes crazy. If you come up with any suggetions, I would be very happy to know what they are.

thanks
Will

[ladymech62]

ABS is computer controled - may need to have them checked on a computer at a service center but the booster still has vaccuum to it too - if your car runs a bit different you may have a vaccuum leak.
You cannot align brake rotors and drums like that. A rotor has to have no run out or you'll have a pulsing brake that has nothing to do with the ABS (which is what it does when you brake too hard - pulses the pedal up and down to even the braking and prevent skidding). The clunking sound could be the fact they didn't get the outer brake pad snug in the caliper and during braking will clatter back and forth. The inner pad free-floats in its area on a spring. The drums are to be round to prevent the catch and let go similar to an out of round rotor does. The may allow the brake shoes to clatter unless a hold down spring is undone or broken.
With the compounds used on pads and shoes, a panic stop can craze the surface and they can crack and crumble apart; a period of break-in is required to seat pads to rotors and shoes to drums. The rotors and drums also cannot have too thin a braking surface or this too will cause overheated brakes.

[CorsicaFire93]

My Corsica does the same thing sometimes and I did some research and found out that it has something to do with the suspension and bushings...

[Kooterskkar]

Bad rear brake cylinders. Thats all it is.

[kezel]

Thanks, everyone, for the replies. The problem (clunking and grabbing) is so inconsistent that now (during hot weather), it's not happening at all. The ABS light, however, is always on. I'm still not sure if I have one problem or two. Kooterskkar, could you give more details on why you think it's the rear brake cylinders, what you think probably needs to be done to fix it, and whether it could cause the ABS light to come on? ladymech62, could you elaborate on the effects of a vacuum leak on braking? (And if the car runs fine otherwise, would that indicate a vacuum leak is unlikely to be the problem?) Thanks.

[SWEATBREAD]

This Is A Comon J Body Syle Issue. 1st Make Sure You Have The Right Size Rear Brake Shoes Installed, There Are Two Sizes And Both Will Fitt.( If You Have Replaced Them) If Not You Need To Machine/ Or Replace The Rear Brake Drums And Adjust The Rear Brakes Very Tight. An Out Of Adjustment Rear Brake Shoe And Or Warped Rear Brake Drum Causes The Rear Abs Not To Work Right And Also Causing Locking Up Of The Rear Brakes.

[acider]

Hey people does anybody knows how do I take off the rer brake drums??? I think my rear brake pads are weared out but I cant take it off ;(
Looks like it stuck or something....