96 taurus trnsmission problem???

[shellyhart]

Hello..i just bought a 96 taurus Gl for my daughter...cars seems to run ok BUT... When we push down on the brakes The car vibrates (bad) The right tire engages properly but the left (drivers side) seems to pick up speed.. They act like they are fighting against each other... I ve been told this is probably a transmission issue??? Fluid looks good and does not smell burnt.. Any Suggstions would be greatly appreciated...

[taillight]

Sounds like a brake problem. I would check the pads and rotors. Rotors could be warped.

[shellyhart]

Thanks for your reply...All new pads and rotors were installed (that's what we thought also)

[taillight]

I still think it could be brakes. Check for a frozen caliper.

[shellyhart]

Again thanks!!! but... We also thought that (sounds so logical) so put a brand spanking new caliper on the car last night ...did not solve the prob.... this is soooo frustrating!!!...

[taillight]

Without seeing it I am out of guesses. Might be the differntial.

[shellyhart]

That is what we were thinking, but needed that 2nd opinion!!! a guy is giving us a transmission, big job (but the price was right on the transmission)..."thanks a ton for your feedbqack" any other thoughts you think of will be (also) appreciated..Thanks again...

[seasonalskier2006]

Be sure to tell us what fixed it, i would really like to know

[shorod]

Originally Posted by shellyhart

Again thanks!!! but... We also thought that (sounds so logical) so put a brand spanking new caliper on the car last night ...did not solve the prob.... this is soooo frustrating!!!...

Which side did you put the new caliper on, and did you use new mounting hardware - slide pins? When the pads were replaced, were they all wearing evenly, inner and outer pads, left and right sides? If all four of the pads were not the same thickness, there is a problem in your braking system. Did you also replace brake hoses? Brake hoses fail from the inside out, so just because they "look" good does not mean they are.

Just because you put new rotors on does not mean that the new rotors are not warped. The rotors, if not stocked properly, could be warped right out of the box. Or, if there was any debris on the hub, it could lead to a pulsation such as you describe. Additionally, if the wheels were not torqued properly when installed, that could cause the rotors to warp.

New brake hoses are a preventive maintenance item. Putting new hoses on will certainly not hurt anything (assuming you install them properly and flush and bleed the system afterwards with new fluid). The new hoses will be MUCH less expensive than transmission work as well.

If you want to rule out the transmission as being the cause, shift to neutral when coming to a stop and see if the vibration and pulling is completely gone.

-Rod