Anyone Really Good With Brakes Out There? Other Ford Issues, too...

I bought a 1997 Ford Taurus GL about a year ago. At first it ran great, but now the brakes squeak like crazy, especially when I first start it drive it for a while. It's had two brake inspections in the last few months, and the mechanics say "everything looks okay". The mechanic at Ford basically says "welcome to Minnesota, it's the weather, get used to it. We could grind down the rotors for $330 if you want, but that would probably be only a temporary fix".

Well, it doesn't seem to have ANYTHING to do with the weather. It does it regardless of the weather. It's really loud each time when I first drive it, especially when I first take off and go down a slight grade to turn onto the main road. You can also hear what sounds like something grinding or moving around like it shouldn't be. Then it's loud at the next few stops, then often after that, it doesn't always squeak when I come to a stop. But it virtually always does when I first start it and drive it, and especially when I go down the grade to turn onto the main road.

I am almost certain it is the rear brakes and the mechanic thought so, too.

I know brake noise problems can be a tough fix, but I was hoping there would be SOMETHING that could be done. It's really loud and annoying sometimes, and I really liked my car and was proud to own it before this. I paid quite a bit for it (low miles, SEEMED to be in good condition) and am discouraged about this. I know it's not a major problem like something with the engine would be, but when you pay good money for something it would be nice if it didn't squeal, squeak and embarrass you to drive it.

I've heard there is some kind of silicone substance you can buy and coat the brakes with and that this can help? But I have no idea where I could find someone to apply the stuff for me. I've also tried "burnishing" the brakes ? I read where if you stop suddenly from a high speed several times it can help. But it didn't help.

If anyone knows of a way to fix this, I would extremely impressed and grateful.

Tess in SE Minn.

BTW, this is unrelated to the brake thing, but I am NOT thrilled with Ford. In July the dreaded "Service Engine Light" came on and it ran erratically and the air conditioning sometimes blew hot air. I took it to Tires Plus, who said it needed a new ignition coil. That didn't help. They kept working on it, and didn't call me back for several days, but finally said it was the control module. They wanted a lot for the module, so I took it to Ford, who said on the phone they could get it faster and wouldn't charge as much. When I took it to Ford they said "it's the ignition coil, the one from Tires Plus is faulty". The next day they called back and said "no, wait, it is the control module after all." I had tried to tell the Ford clerk guy this in the first place when I brought it in, but he didn't even bother to write that down. They charged a LITTLE less per module, but they said I needed two of them, and I ended up spending several hundred for the two of them. Then the Service Engine light came on again a few days ago. This time Ford said it was a Vapor Management Valve, but that it was no longer acting up and they cleared the error code. They still charged me the $92 fee just for plugging it into diagnostics. Is there a BETTER WAY, a better and more trustworthy mechanic out there?

I don't want to pay $92 every time the Service Engine light comes on and nothing is wrong. : (

Reply to
Rea
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You dont say whether this grinding noise happens without pressure on the pedal.. though you sort of imply that.

You also dont say whether the rears are disk.. though you also imply that.

If both are true, at least ONE of the rear calipers is hanging up.

Remove both, see if the pads are of even thickness across their faces, make sure the slide pins and boots are well lubricated and without rust particles

Reply to
Backyard Mechanic

And if you use the parking brake, DONT for a while .. see if that changes the situation

Backyard Mechanic opined in news:Xns959668B1016BBBkMch6d@207.115.63.158:

Reply to
Backyard Mechanic

Good advice but I don't see this poster getting their hands dirty anytime soon. Hopefully he/she can find an honest mechanic.

Matt

Reply to
Matt

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