'03 Rear Brakes anomaly

[mundy5]

When I back out the first time in the morning and come to a stop, I hear loud screeching by the rear brakes. This has been going on for about 3 years now. The parking brake light usually comes on but then goes away after driving forward.

I know that some screeching is considered normal on the windstar especially after it being idle overnight with any moisture in the air.

About 2 days ago, my ABS light and the traction control off light now comes on as well. These lights do not go off when traveling forward. It only goes off if I restart my van.

Have others had this issue? I was willing to live with the parking brake light but now the ABS and traction control lights come on. Any thoughts?

[wiswind]

2 things I would check into are the brake fluid level in the Master Cylinder and the spacing of the rear wheel sensors from the "exciter" ring.
The exciter ring looks like a gear.......as the teeth of the gear go past the sensor, the sensor being a magnetic pick up type sensor......a magnetic field change is sensed.
I have bumped one of my sensors...and it was actually slightly touching the teeth of the gear.
Also common is for the sensor to be slightly too far from the exciter ring.

2 other things, how are the brake linings on the rear? and have the rear wheel bearings been repacked lately.
While the front wheel bearings are NOT servicable (except for replacement), the rear wheel bearings need to be repacked with grease from time to time.
When they need repacking, you can get some "play"...or movement in them.

[mundy5]

Thanks Wiswind. I'll take a look at your two suggestions. I have not had any work done on the rear brakes at all so I'm not sure about your 2nd set of suggestions. I will double check on the brake fluid and also on the exciter ring.