96 Sable brakes overheat - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

mike_j_wagner · 05-20-2008, 19:40

The front brakes on my 96 Mercury Sable (156k mi) overheat on the 10 mile drive between work and home.

The heat is enough to fill the garage with smoke that pores out of the front wheel wells. The both front wheel hubs are hot to the touch.

The rotors have been warping every 10,000 miles.

I have been unable to solve the problem. I have done the following work:

1. Replaced Master cylinder
2. Replaced Front brake calipers
3. Replaced Brake Pads
4. Turned front rotors
5. Brake fluid flushed
6. ABS disabled by pulling fuses located under the hood

Mileage on the commute which is a combination of city and interstate driving is 23 mi/gal.

How do I fix this problem?

Thanks!

SHOZ123 · 05-22-2008, 08:35

Are the pins free and lubed?

mike_j_wagner · 05-23-2008, 20:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by SHOZ123

Are the pins free and lubed?

Are you refering to the pins the brake calibers is mounted on so that it can move as the break is applied and released?

These pins are lubricated and enclosed in a protective boot.

Please let me know if I don't understand.

Thanks.

SHOZ123 · 05-24-2008, 00:02

What kind of pads?

You understand the pins.

mike_j_wagner · 05-26-2008, 06:27

Sorry, I don't know what the brake pins are. I'm guessing they are part of the brake caliper. I did replaced the brake calipers.

The pads are ceramic.

I received advice to replace the brake hoses. The brake hoses can collapse internally which can prevent the pads from backing off the rotor after the brakes have been applied, causing the brakes to overheat.

I have replaced the brake hoses. I just need to drive it to work a couple of times to see if it fixes the problem.

Thanks for the help.

Ohio XB · 05-26-2008, 09:29

Another consideration is that maybe your rear brakes are not working and only the fronts are doing all the work?

Otherwise, it would seem that the calipers are keeping the pads against the rotors too tight. This could be a function of the pins that have been brought up being seized. You should be able to push these pins and cause them to slide freely with the caliper removed.

One last thought, is your brake pedal returning to it's normal position or does it hang down a little, keeping pressure on the brakes?

Good luck.

Steve