96 Mercury Sable Brake problem/question

Hi,

I dont know much about cars so please excuse any non-standard descriptions I might use for this problem :-) .

This problem has driven me insane. 4 or 5 mechanics so far, and a couple thousand dollars later, and the problem is still there.

The problem is that when I hit the brakes, the car will not stop nearly as quickly as it used to years ago just before it first started happening. At high speeds, the car can easily and safely reach low speeds rather quickly and normally, but If I'm braking from a 25 mph roll, the car will take like 3-5 seconds to come to a complete stop where my accord will stop in under 2 seconds.

I've had the brakes changed 3 times and rotors changed 2 times since it has first happened, none of which were really necessary, but the mechanics suggested them (wish I knew then what I know now . . .). The mechanics all started out saying that the car should stop much faster, but after their work when the car remains the same, they tell me it is normal.

Recently, a year after I've given up on the car and moving onto my accord, I decided to try to sell it. I brought the car to a mechanic friend I trusted who owns 2 sables himself.

9 hundred dollars and a new Anti Lock Braking system later, the car is still doing the same thing. He put many hours into the car and was unable to fix the problem, although he thought he did at first. I intend to bring it into him again to see if he could find something else.

Has anyone else experienced the symptoms I've stated above? Do 96 Sables with ABS just not stop as fast as other cars and I'm just remembering incorrectly? My accord stops on a dime and it has ABS. I've had to swirve around other cards in my sable because of its inability to stop fast enough at times.

I wonder if there could an issue with the vacuum assist? At higher speeds you would think that the engine is at a higher rpm and providing more vacuum than at a lower speed and rpm level. Just a wild guess.

Thanks. I'll suggest that to my friends pop. Thanks again.

These cars are known to have undersized brakes. The best solution is a good set of pads and rotors for up front. My wife's '95 is much better with the Powerslot rotors and Hawk HPS pads.

My 96 stops on a dime and gives change. Have you had the brake fluid bled? (Make sure no air in brake lines)

I dont think the brake lines were bled in awhile. I havent had a chance to take it back to the guy who changed my anti lock brakes. I almost want to cut my losses and junk the thing.

Bleeding is surprisingly easy, especially if you have a helper. If not, you can still get a kit at any parts store for you to bleed yourself. Just another possibility.