Brake pedal noise. 02 LS V8.

I have the 02 LS V8 with about 70k miles on it. The pedal makes a stiff bushing sound, or beter yet, that sound ballons make when circus clowns twist them into animals. ...I hope that makes sense. The noise gets louder as the engine gets hotter but not loud enough to hear over the stereo. Also, when the noise is happening the pedal is not smooth. It feels there are stops on it. The brake systems are operating fine, the ABS operates fine, and the brake fluid is clean. At about 30k miles I took it back to Lincolon for the exact same brake pedal noise. It was under warranty then. They road tested it (with me in the car) and as a result replaced the brake booster. Nothing really changed. Coincidently, My wife has a 2000 Ford explorer xls. The brake pedal is doing the exact same thing. Both vehicles are well maintained, clean, and in immaculate condidion. Im very anal about my cars. Any information on this would greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

I had what I'd describe as a similar noise on my 2004. I would have described the noise as more of a suction sound, like air rushing into the brake actuator rod bellows. I looked in to it at one point and would have sworn that there was a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) for it, but cannot locate such a TSB today. :(

-Rod

I understand but im sure its not an air suction noise and its happening on the floor at the pedal. I actually had my wife apply the brakes while I listened under the hood. I could hear it but it was obvious that its coming from the pedal area. Think you can grab an exploded tech manual view of the brake pedal assembly? Im guessing that there is some kind of rod down there that moves against a seal that may need some kind of lubricant.

There's very little at the brake pedal end. Theres the pedal arm and pivot, the actuator rod, and the bellows at the firewall.

-Rod

Thanks for the information but something has to be wrong or needs lubricant. Coincidentally, my boss was in my car this afternoon. His wife has a 2006 Ford Escape Limited. He actually told me that his escape makes the exact same brake pedal noise. So now i have the 200 explorer, the 2002 lincolon, and the 2006 Escape. All Fords, All with ABS 4 wheel disc brake systems, and all with squishy sounding brake pedals. There has to be more, somewhere. As mentioned before, the the 2002 had the brake booster -- master cylinder assembly replaced at about 30k miles. The noise did not stop. Any suggestions on how to isolate this issue. Also, are the TSB's for the 20 LS V8 availabe to the public on line somewhere? If so can you point me to them?

I guess the best I can suggest is turn up the radio or climb under the steering column and listen for the source of the noise. You'll notice while you're down there that there really are not many points that could cause the noise, and I think you'll understand why I suspect the noise, as you describe it, is from the bellows.

-Rod

so I took it to a ford dealership. there is a tsb on this issue. its considered a WAD (working as designed). The TSB recommends no fix or attempt to fix this problem.

So I'm not crazy, I did see a TSB for it. Thanks for the update (and sanity check)! See odd that there isn't a fix for it though.

-Rod

...so are the TSB's for the 20 LS V8 availabe to the public on line somewhere? If so can you point me to them? I'd love to take a look at some of them.

The only place I've found the full TSBs online is through a subscription to Alldata (alldatadiy.com).

I have the Alldata subscription for my 2004 LS8, but didn't find it there. Maybe the 2004 was not covered by the TSB, even though I had what sounds like the same noise as you.

-Rod