98 Taurus Front Brakes Won't Release

[mightymouse466]

I have a 98 Taurus and there is a problem with the front brakes. First of all I have one or more warped rotors, which doesn't really concern me right now. What does is after I have driven for a few minutes, usually at highway speeds, the front brakes won't release all the way. I know this because the steering wheel shakes. And it does this when I am NOT pushing on the brake. The car will slow down when going downhill and it has never done that before. It will also downshift on slight hills where it never has before. Is there something that needs to be adjusted? A mechanic told me to replace the front brake hoses but that did nothing. Someone please help!

[shorod]

A wobble in the steering could be due to a separated belt in a tire, a loose suspension component, a bent wheel, or as you mentioned, a stuck brake and bent rotors. I know your mind assumes that the car is slowing down going downhill, and downshifting sooner going up hills, but that could be psychological.

Drive around the block a few times being careful to only use your brakes when absolutely necessary. Okay, better yet is probably to do this in an empty parking lot. Gently stop the car and touch the wheels of the car. If you have one or more wheels that are quite hot, then you probably have one or more sticking calipers (on the wheel or wheels that are hot). The problem is probably either due to a collapsed brake hose/line or a seized slide pin. If the calipers slide on their pins pretty freely, then check for a restricted line by opening the bleeder screw and attempting to compress the caliper. If it easily compresses this way, then you probably have a restriction in a line somewhere.

-Rod

[mightymouse466]

Originally Posted by shorod

A wobble in the steering could be due to a separated belt in a tire, a loose suspension component, a bent wheel, or as you mentioned, a stuck brake and bent rotors. I know your mind assumes that the car is slowing down going downhill, and downshifting sooner going up hills, but that could be psychological.

Drive around the block a few times being careful to only use your brakes when absolutely necessary. Okay, better yet is probably to do this in an empty parking lot. Gently stop the car and touch the wheels of the car. If you have one or more wheels that are quite hot, then you probably have one or more sticking calipers (on the wheel or wheels that are hot). The problem is probably either due to a collapsed brake hose/line or a seized slide pin. If the calipers slide on their pins pretty freely, then check for a restricted line by opening the bleeder screw and attempting to compress the caliper. If it easily compresses this way, then you probably have a restriction in a line somewhere.

-Rod

If it would be the pins, how would I adjust that?

[65comet]

After being in an accident in which I was rear ended then slammed into the car in front of me, my caliper pins were bent. To find if your pins are bent or just seized, you have to take off the wheels. Then unbolt the calipers. Where the calipers bolt on there is a sleave for each bolt that should slide easily in and out. These are to compensate for wear on the pads and releasing the brake pedal. If they don't slide, then the caliper won't let the pads come back off the rotor when you release the brakes. If they are stuck, you can peel back the rubber outer sleaves on the metal sleaves and try to remove the metal sleave with pliers. Once out, you can clean them and re-grease with a high-temp grease. If they won't come out, or are too bent, then you will probably need a new caliper bracket with new sleaves. I got mine at a salvage yard for ten dollars each.

[GPFred]

I had badly warped rotors that caused these exact symptoms, after I replaced the rotors and pads, the problem cleared up. The calipers were fine. Good luck.