Brake Problems

[tambo]

I have a 1994 Lincoln Town Car, I was driving about 70 MPH with the cruse control on when the brakes began to lockup., About four months ago I did a complete over haul of the entire brake system. A new master cylinder, shoes, calibers and rotors. For this same reason.

Does anyone have any idea as to what's going on ??

[MagicRat]

If you have rear drum brakes, my guess is that the springs that hold the brake shoes together are weak or broken, allowing a shoe to touch the drum. Drum brakes have a 'self energising' efect, where a slight drag on the shoes is amplified and forces the shoes outwards into the drum. so it seems to apply the brakes even more. You can diagnose this by comparing the brake drag in reverse and going forward. If the drag is greater going forwards, its your brake springs.
BTW a good brake job requires new drum brake springs. However, sometimes mechanics cheap out and reuse the old ones.

[tambo]

Originally Posted by MagicRat

If you have rear drum brakes, my guess is that the springs that hold the brake shoes together are weak or broken, allowing a shoe to touch the drum. Drum brakes have a 'self energising' efect, where a slight drag on the shoes is amplified and forces the shoes outwards into the drum. so it seems to apply the brakes even more. You can diagnose this by comparing the brake drag in reverse and going forward. If the drag is greater going forwards, its your brake springs.
BTW a good brake job requires new drum brake springs. However, sometimes mechanics cheap out and reuse the old ones.

MagicRat, Thanks for the information.. However the rear brakes are dis. It seems that only the front brakes are locking up..

[Towncar]

Are you getting any warning lights ?

[tambo]

Originally Posted by Towncar

Are you getting any warning lights ?

No warning lights, everthing appears to be ok as far as instrumentaion is concerned..

[Towncar]

geeze... very odd, I'm thinking some kind of abs problem, but I really have no clue at this point.

You might try these folks as well:
http://www.lincolnsonline.com/cgi-bi...?ubb=forum&f=3