Grinding

[Kinville]

I've had this problem that has been getting worse and worse, and I was hoping someone here could help me I have a '93 ATX... its kind of a grinding sound that seems to be coming from both rear wheels at low speeds. When I get about 20-30 and higher it stops, but when I takeoff or stop I hear that horrible sound. Also, when I take off I have to give it a lil extra gas that I normally would to get going, like the brakes are having trouble disengaging or something... oh and my brake pedal is really spongy like the brakes need to be bled, I'm not sure if thats related or not. Any help would be appreciated, thanks

 

[Rockledge]

It sounds like you already know what you have to do. Start out by taking the rear wheels off and looking over the rear brakes. You might have calipers that are sticking, or something along those lines. The calipers use "slide pins" that need to be kept lubed, but often times dirt and water cause them to become dry and crusty.

Another possibility is that your emergency brake is sticking. There is a parking brake lever on the back of the rear disc brake caliper which is cable-operated (you will see this when you pull the wheels). The cables(s) from the rear wheels join up and become a single cable, and ultimately they attach to the emergency brake pedal and pull-handle assembly located under the drivers side dash.

And you should also look over the flexible brake lines that connect to the calipers to make sure they are OK. Do you know the last time the brakes were serviced?

BTW, AutoZone has some very good brake service and repair info on it's website. For your Taurus, choose "Repair Info" and then "Vehicle Repair Guide" and it's all there.

P.S. Welcome to SHOForum.

 

[SgtSHO]

Awesome! Somebody else from Alaska! If you need help, just send me a PM.. I had to unstick those pins in my 95 ATX a couple of years ago...

 

[Kinville]

Thanks for the suggestions I dont know the last time the brakes were serviced... have only had the car since may... but I have my car jacked up right now and am about to go take my wheel off(turns out only one is making that sound... I guess maybe the sound was echoing across my trunk)... just thought I'd check the forum right quick. Those were things I was thinkin about as well, but its good for someone else to think so as well lol... but now I have to gitter done and see whats goin on... oh and thanks for the welcome

 

[Kinville]

Well I took off the wheel and the pads were worn all the way down... lol so it was no wonder there was all that grinding... now I just have to go buy the stuff I need, track down the tool for compressing the caliper piston and I can get it all back together... hopefully thats the only thing going wrong with all that tho I'm sure something else will go wrong soon oh and hey man, what part of AK you from?

 

[Kinville]

I'm not sure, but it looks like the piston is seized... the rubber boot around it is so torn its almost not even there, so thats my guess... I'm gonna go get the tool and try, but from the research I just did on it, it looks like its probably seized... thoughts?

 

[Brian Smith]

you might be better off getting a rebuilt caliper, then you dont have to bother with turning the piston back in.