Brakes Pulling - Ford Forums

jeririah · 05-26-2009, 12:16

I have a 1996 Crown Vic. which is ex-police car. It has sat for a couple of months on gravel drive and some over grass so I took it out yesterday and it drove and braked fine for a couple of miles. But after stopping at a stop sign and taking off again it really wanted to veer to the left if I let go of the steering wheel and the steering wheel was vibrating. You could feel a loss of power with a brake dragging it down and smell the burning brake smell. I stopped and felt the hubcaps to see which one would be hottest but could not see a difference in any of them. I tuned it around and headed home slowly and drove it along the shoulder to hit some bumps to loosen up the calipers which seemed to help. It did'nt pull so much and and had more power until I used the brakes again and it started all over. I also noticed the pedal went down to the floor when I first pushed them but came back on the second try. I have replaced both front and back brakes in the past ,but not the calipers, so they are fairly new. Would the left caliper be sticking and not returning after engaged? That's where I'm going to start looking since it had such an effect on the steering. But I'm also wondering if the back brakes might have rusted some. I have had that happen living in Wisconsin. I can't get at it today because it's raining outside but thought I'd see if any ideas or similar experiences are out there. Thanks for the answers.

**rtg143** · 05-26-2009, 12:54

The calipers usually don't stick like that. It could be the brake hose pugged inside. Raise the front and if the brake is tight, loosen the bleeder and see if it frees it up. If it's loosened, push the brake pedal to see if it stays tight then, The pedal going to the floor is more like the master cylinder. Let us know what you find.

87_Crown_Vic · 05-31-2009, 17:16

many cars i buy that have sat i ALWAYS replace calipers. after one car i bought that sat, it had a bad caliper that would lock bad and was a pain to free up again. it could be the sliders rusted up or the piston in the caliper gone bad. sounds like hose is fine if it is make brakes grab but caliper is hanging up. check the easiest thing and if anything replace calipers and hoses to each on the front.

jeririah · 09-01-2009, 18:56

Just a follow up. It's been a while but I did replace the left front caliper and it brakes just fine now. It does not stick or go to the floor. I did have to bleed the caliper because there was some intial air but all is ok now. Thanks for the help.

**rtg143** · 09-01-2009, 20:30

I never think about the rust you guys get. Here we don't have to worry about that. Thanks for letting us know.