1999 Mercury Sable Cold Brake Lockup

MERCURY SABLE
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KARENHOLLAND
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I own a 1999 Mercury Sable and the brakes are locking up in the mornings. When you give the car some gas it will move (barely) and then you can smell the brakes burning. After it warms up during the day the car will run ok. Also I have no heat in the car. We have replaced the thermostat twice and there is no coolant leaking back into the car like you would expect from the heater core.
Nov 26, 2006 at 9:10 AM
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CATCH_15
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 250 POSTS
First of all, about the brakes. Do alll four wheels lock up or just the front or back. Also, do you have rear drum brakes? About the coolant leaking inside the car. The only thing that could bring coolant inside the car is the heater core. If it's leaking and you have no heat, replace it.
Dec 2, 2006 at 6:52 AM
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MERLIN2021
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 17,250 POSTS
Before you move the car try jacking the car one wheel at a time with the car in neutral. open each bleeder screw and see if by doing so the wheel turns free. When you find the tight wheel if by opening the bleeder the wheel turns freely you have a bad brake hose if not you need a caliper. As for the heat try going to a radiator shop and getting heater core blown out. Once you have good heat again keep it that way by changing the coolant every year!
Mar 6, 2007 at 7:15 AM
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TIVER43809
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Did you ever get this resolved? I am having the same problem with my 92 Sable wagon. I have replaced the hoses, calibers, rotors, and pads.
Jul 8, 2007 at 3:38 AM

Suggested Repair

With the car in neutral, jack one wheel at a time and open the bleeder. If the wheel then turns freely, replace the brake hose; if it stays tight, replace the caliper. For no heat, have a radiator shop flush the heater core and change the coolant yearly; replace the heater core if it is leaking.

Conversation Summary

A 1999 Mercury Sable locks the brakes when cold, smells of burning brakes, then drives normally after warming up, and also has no heat despite two thermostat replacements and no coolant leaking into the cabin. Experts advised checking whether all wheels or only the front or rear lock, then isolating a stuck hose versus caliper by opening each bleeder. They also said only a heater core can put coolant inside the car and recommended flushing or replacing it. A later owner of a 1992 Sable reported the same brake issue after replacing hoses, calipers, rotors, and pads, with no confirmed resolution.

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