Rear Driver Side Brake ABS system
FordGRL
09-14-2005, 10:23 AM
I have a 95 Ford Taurus that I can not seem to fix. The wheel barring has been replaced, rotors, calip, and brake pads. Not even 6 months later the Rear Driver Side starts to grind and the brakes feel mushy when pressed, the brake pad had been completely gone, and groves in the rotor. Replaced, same thing happens again not even a month later, don't know why or what is causing this, anyone know????
Also ABS sensor light is on, but I was told that my car is ok without it, is this true? ABS is also on same area of problems.....
Also ABS sensor light is on, but I was told that my car is ok without it, is this true? ABS is also on same area of problems.....
shorod
09-14-2005, 01:53 PM
The person who told you your car is okay without the ABS is technically correct. Your ABS will most likely not function properly, but the brakes will still stop the car. A wheel or more may just lock up during panic stops. You really should make an effort to understand why the light is on. Unfortunately, most of the places that will read diagnostic codes for free will not be able to read the ABS codes. You may need to visit a shop or dealer to get the ABS codes read. You could also measure the resistance of the ABS sensors to get an idea if one of your speed sensors is obviously bad. You can also inspect the ABS speed sensor wiring to make sure in the process of replacing parts, the wiring didn't get damaged. Since a wheel bearing was replaced, I'd suggest starting at that wheel. Inspect the wiring, verify the speed sensor plugs are connected, and inspect the speed sensor toothed ring on the axle for any cracks, missing teeth, and alignment with the sensor.
Does your '95 Taurus have rear drum or rear disc brakes? Is the rear drivers side wheel the one that has the new bearing, rotor, caliper and pads? If so, you must have rear disc. If not, you might have rear drum brakes, and if they were not replaced recently, you might be due for new shoes. If they are rear drum brakes, you might have a leaky wheel cylinder (causing the mushy pedal) which leaks brake fluid onto the shoes (causing the noise).
If drum or disc brakes in the rear, you might have a ridge of rust at the outer edge of the rotor or drum which could cause your noise.
Were the new brake pads chamfered when installed, and was any anti-squeal compound used on the backs of the pads? Failure to do either could lead to a squealing noise.
The mushy pedal could be due to a leak in the system somewhere or air trapped in the fluid. If you haven't had the system flushed for more than a year, you really should flush the system anyway, at which time you will find either your leak (hopefully) or trapped air.
-Rod
Does your '95 Taurus have rear drum or rear disc brakes? Is the rear drivers side wheel the one that has the new bearing, rotor, caliper and pads? If so, you must have rear disc. If not, you might have rear drum brakes, and if they were not replaced recently, you might be due for new shoes. If they are rear drum brakes, you might have a leaky wheel cylinder (causing the mushy pedal) which leaks brake fluid onto the shoes (causing the noise).
If drum or disc brakes in the rear, you might have a ridge of rust at the outer edge of the rotor or drum which could cause your noise.
Were the new brake pads chamfered when installed, and was any anti-squeal compound used on the backs of the pads? Failure to do either could lead to a squealing noise.
The mushy pedal could be due to a leak in the system somewhere or air trapped in the fluid. If you haven't had the system flushed for more than a year, you really should flush the system anyway, at which time you will find either your leak (hopefully) or trapped air.
-Rod
KimMG
09-15-2005, 02:04 AM
Did you replace the flex lines? They deteriorate on the inside causing blockages that can cause the caliper to lock up.
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