1998 Taurus brake problems?

[Guitarz]

A friend has a 98 Taurus that has had constant brake problems.i.e. pads and rotors. They recently changed rotors ,pads, calipers and still eats pads. Also having intermintent wiper problems. Any thoughts?

Thanks, Tom

[TomV]

What do you mean by 'eat up pads'? How many miles before replacement? Are your rotors wearing quickly also? Who is doing the brake work? Are you lubricating the sliding surfaces? What kind of pads and rotors are you using? What kind of driving do you do, lots of stop and go, high speed braking?

[Willyum]

Like Tom wrote, a lot of drivers don't get much mileage out of their brake linings. They zoom by beating you to that next red light. Some get 100,000 miles. There are some shops that give lifetime warranties, might be a good option for your friend.
You should explain what kind of wiper problem you have.

[Guitarz]

Thanks Guys. I'll try to get more specific info from my friend to see exactly what has been replaced , how often, and type of driving . I know my Alero has had the rotors changed twice along with pads and it only has 60k , and I don't do alot of stop and go mostly highway.

Thanks again, Tom

[LarryKL]

Uncommanded wiper function is caused by the Multifunction Swith in the steering column. About $80 at your friendly Ford dealer...

[Guitarz]

What my friend has told me is the Taurus has 108k and has had the BACK brakes changed 5-6 times ,rotors twice, calipers once. I have very rarely changed back pads let alone calipers or rotors. There has got to be something in the brake system between the front and back thats causing these kind of problems. One repairman was trying to blame it on the way they used the cruise control system,that it had to be used with OD off, then the cruise controls wouldn't brake properly so they had to apply the brakes to slow down. Even if they did use the brakes ,the back brakes shouldn't wear like that. I think they may trade it off.

Thanks, Tom

[Willyum]

Guitarz,
Does what you are posting make sense to you? Cruise controls braking properly? Only use the cruise control with OD off? That kind of wear indicates extremly poor driving habits or dragging brakes of some kind. If my back linings wore I would suspect that I was driving with the parking brake on a lot of the time.

[Guitarz]

No, this does not make since too me. These were some things that the repairman told them. Not sure how the emergency brake works on the Taurus. I know this car has disc(4 wheel). My Alero has 4wheel disc,but the emergency brake doesn't operate with the disc pads,it has a small set of shoes inside the disc like a drum brake. So if the Taurus is like that ,it may wear out the shoes ,but shouldn't affect the pads,or rotors. The first time they changed the rotors ,I understand the caliper(s) was sticking. Makes since the pads would wear, but 5-6 times on the rear brakes. Has to be another problem. If they abused the brakes ,seems to me the front pads would go more often than the rear. According to my friend they wear normally. So.....

Thanks for all input. Tom

[TomV]

It sounds almost like the proportioning valve is hooked up in reverse. The valve is supposed to delay the application of the rear brakes while the brakes in the front are always actuated. This is why the front brakes wear out much faster.

What about another valve that is around the rear axle that determines the distance between the axle and the body? I think it senses rear end lift. It controls fluid flow to the rear brakes as well. I cannot remember the name of it off the top of my head. If it is not connected properly I can imagine it causing some premature wear problems.

[Guitarz]

I kinda thought it would be something like that also. Just didn't know what it may be called. I 'll relay the info to my friend ,and at least he can have someone check it out.

Thanks for the help, TomF