1995 Mercury Sable Brake troubles.

TARA KRISTEN

MEMBER
1995 MERCURY SABLE

Brakes problem
1995 Mercury Sable Front Wheel Drive Automatic 100000 miles

I have 2 problems.

One, since I bought my vehicle (used) there has been trouble with my front passenger brake. It clunks when I accelerate after sitting at a stop light or sign, no matter how long my foot was pressed down on the brake pedal. Not only can I hear it but I can feel it in my pedal on my foot through my shoe. I have, since buying the car, had a bit of work done, including 1 hub being replaced, front and back suspension and have had my rotors resurfaced and my pads are fine (can you say, I got ripped off?)

Anyway, I thought maybe after all of these repairs the clunking would be sure to go away and it hasn't. The worst part is some of the time the brake sticks and it grinds as it tries to let go when I'm trying to drive away from said light or sign and it smells like it's burning. Anyone have this trouble and what is the problem?

Two, in the last week my brake light on my dash has stayed on after I start my car. Now I know every dash light comes on when the vehicle is initially started but they all go off. My brake light stays on until I pull the brake release, it then makes a popping noise like air and goes off after 2 pulls. I will tell ya that recently when I had work done on my car after I left the shop my ABS light has been on constantly. They said it should go off, it hasn't. They checked it and said it is a censor and that my ABS nor my brakes are in jeopardy over the light being on but maybe it is?

The noise I described above (clunking) was occurring before the ABS light mishap. I'd appreciate any help I can get.

Thank you!

1 Reply

JGAROFALO

MECHANIC
489 POSTS

There are a host of troubles that can cause the problem you describe.

First, check the front suspension for loose or worn parts. Some of the possible causes are tie rod ends and ball joints. Upper strut mounts are another possible source of clunking. The axle shaft is another possible cause. Also check the caliper and mounting of the caliper. Loose mounting bolts (or possibly stripped mounting bolts) on the caliper can cause it to move away from the brake disc and contact the inside of the wheel. Take the wheel off and look for signs of scraping on the inside surface.

As to the ABS light.
When the ABS light is lit and does not go out after a few seconds, it indicates a problem with the anti-lock function of the brakes. When the light is lit, the anti-lock function is disabled, and the brake system reverts to a non-antilock system.

The anti-lock system allows you to maintain steering control under heavy braking conditions or on slippery surfaces. This is a valuable safety feature that can prevent you from sliding into other vehicles, off the road, or into a tree because of loss of steering control from a locked wheel.