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Brake Pull when raining 1999 Grand marquis
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Anonymous Poster
weberpf1@aol.com
Mar 28, 2007, 6:21 PM
Post #1 of 6
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Brake Pull when raining 1999 Grand marquis
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I had the front brake pads (disc), rotors and calipers replaced on my 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis. Since then when it rains the brakes will pull to the left or right until they "heat up". When dry they work fine. I have taken it back to the shop several times and they can find nothing wrong. Any ideas?
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DanD
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/ Moderator
Mar 29, 2007, 4:45 AM
Post #2 of 6
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Re: Brake Pull when raining 1999 Grand marquis
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I’m not sure what to say but what gets my attention is that you say it will pull in ether direction, until things get warmed up? So I’m thinking is it a brake issue at all but maybe worn tires, worn steering or suspension component related? Possibly when the tires are cold (hard) and wet they (one or the other) are hydro plaining and causing the pull? In the steering & suspension it maybe something worn or binding causing the geometry to change during braking. But I guess that doesn’t really answer the after the warming it’s ok? It still could be something with the brake, as in a hard set of pads or caliper(s) hanging up but the only way to confirm this would be to replace them again. Possibly with a different brand, incase it’s a manufactures defect in the parts themselves? Have the rear brakes been checked and serviced with the emphasis on serviced? Dan. Canadian "EH"
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Anonymous Poster
Mar 30, 2007, 6:59 PM
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Re: Brake Pull when raining 1999 Grand marquis
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Thanks for the thoughts. I did also change the tires(4) with no effect on the problem. You mentioned "hard pads" (possibly defective), do you think that the rotors could be bad -- is that possible. Also is it possible for brake pads to absorb water? If so could that account for their good performance after heating up or when dry? Thanks for your time.
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DanD
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Mar 31, 2007, 6:31 AM
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Re: Brake Pull when raining 1999 Grand marquis
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As long as the rotors have a relatively clean finish and running true laterally, I don’t think they would be the cause of a pull. The rotors would cause a shake or a pulse in the brake if they were an issue. As for the brake pads absorbing moister; it’s not a common thing but I guess anything is possible depending on their constuction? Do you know what kind as in manufacturer and design of brake pads that were installed? Originally they would have been ceramic which give an all around better braking performance regardless of their temperature. Organic and metallic pads needed to come up to temperature before they begin to function at their best. One or two brake application is all that is needed to get them heated up so it usually isn’t an issue. On the other hand overheated organic pads will begin to fade (loose their grip); meaning the brake peddle would remain with a normal feel but the brakes would barely stop the car. Considering that this problem began right after the pad replacement; I would have them replaced again, regardless of their design; making sure that the replacements are of a good quality Ceramic. Do not buy brake pads solely on price; you’ll get what you pay for. Believe this or not but there are no regulations in place that govern what a brake pad must be made of. If a manufacturer wanted; they could glue a hockey puck to a steel backer and sell it as a brake pad; believe me there is some crap out there that isn’t much more. Dan. Canadian "EH"
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Mar 31, 2007, 9:10 AM
Post #5 of 6
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Re: Brake Pull when raining 1999 Grand marquis
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As always it's near impossible to expound on Dan's replys. I was thinking about something here that may play a part in this -- there should be a shield of thin metal behind (inboard side) that directs flow of air that could be bent or broken off at time of pad replacement. Some have been so rusted on me that I removed them till they could be replaced. This mostly on back disc brakes here in the rust belt. I have found plain asbestos to be the most sensitive to moisture and heat and would be illegal to sell for a '99 Grand Marquis in Massachusetts. The complaint of braking problems while raining would lead me first to the pads. Could they have been mixed up in the box -- yes. I have opened several and found mistakes in new boxed parts where left and right are wrong or you get two lefts and such. Not all brakes are for left and right or even inner and outer. If very recent I'd ask the shop about this and see if they are willing to replace just the pads and inspect for anything odd while there. The place your shop got the pads should gladly swap any suspect new parts for another set. Brakes are too important to fool around with, T
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Anonymous Poster
Mar 31, 2007, 12:13 PM
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Re: Brake Pull when raining 1999 Grand marquis
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Thank you very much for the advice. I will go back and have the pads replaced and the brakes inspected for damage. The work was done at a Mercury dealer so I'm assuming that they put in Motocraft parts (I know assuming is dangerous), and it was not a "cheap" job, but I don't know what the pads were made from. I will try to find out, or at the very least specify ceramic pads for the replacements. Again, thank you both very much for all of the help. I'll let you know what happens.
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