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Brake problem with 1995 Ford Thunderbird

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Tony Patterson

09-12-2004 17:45:37

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I need some help please. My 95 Thunderbird's brake rotors(disc on front/brake shoes on rear) had begun to wobble as the brakes were applied. This went on for a little while and needed some new tires so I had new tires put on. Brakes still trembling a little as applied and then they started to pull to the right as the brakes were applied. I put new rubber brake hoses, new calipers, new rotors, new brake pads on both sides. I have bled the lines. I have checked air pressure, changed the rear tires to the front which has not solved the problem. The car continues to slightly pull to the right as the brakes are applied. The car does not pull to the right as being driven.
The car does not have ABS brakes. I put on new struts about 6 months ago. Nothing on the front end components appear to need replacing, had a front end alignment when the struts were replaced.
I do not understand what would apply fluid to the right side before the left side. There has been no damage to the front end that I am aware of. I am at a loss and would appreciate any helpful information.

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M. T. Pockets

09-13-2004 18:26:08

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Re: Brake problem with 1995 Ford Thunderbird in reply to Tony Patterson, 09-12-2004 17:45:37

Tony, let me tell you what happened on my 92 Dodge pu. There is a stabilizer arm that goes from the outside of the A frame up to the frame. This is to keep the wheel from moving back when the brakes are applied. where this arm fastened to the frame, it has a saucer shaped washer, a rubber donut, the bracket on the frame, another rubber donut, another saucer shaped washer, and a nut to hold it all together. The front rubber donut had rotted away, allowing the a frame suspension to move to the rear when you applied the brakes. This caused the truck to pull to the right. Replaced both rubber donuts,and fixed the problem. I hope this helps. Steve Norwood, Texarkana, Tx.

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TPat

09-13-2004 19:29:45

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Re: Brake problem with 1995 Ford Thunderbird in reply to M. T. Pockets, 09-13-2004 18:26:08

Thank you for your advice on the front end/brakes. This one has me stumped!! TPat

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Redmud

09-13-2004 16:44:33

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Re: Brake problem with 1995 Ford Thunderbird in reply to Tony Patterson, 09-12-2004 17:45:37

Tony, something else to look at, with the weight of the car on the front wheels and someone in the car with the engine running and trans in park, lay beside the car where you can see the rack and this may be hard to do, have the someone to steer right and left. you only have to rock the sreering wheel 3-4 inches left and right. look for side ways shift of the rack housing. it has bushings also on the mounting bolts...
Redmud:

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TPat

09-13-2004 17:24:58

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Re: Brake problem with 1995 Ford Thunderbird in reply to Redmud, 09-13-2004 16:44:33

I'll look at the rack and pinion steering as you suggest. It just about has to the something in the suspension or steering. Thanks Redmud!! TPat

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MAC,IL

09-13-2004 06:46:15

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Re: Brake problem with 1995 Ford Thunderbird in reply to Tony Patterson, 09-12-2004 17:45:37

All excellent suggestions. Seems you have covered about all the required parts, however, I would check the rotors anyhow for warpage. Seen them bad out of the box. Also are you using a good hi dollar set of brake pads. Use disc brake grease on all moving parts of the caliper. Also double check for wear in the suspension.

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Kendall

09-13-2004 06:35:57

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Re: Brake problem with 1995 Ford Thunderbird in reply to Tony Patterson, 09-12-2004 17:45:37

In line with what Redmud suggested, lift the car off the ground and grab a front tire on the left and right side, shake back and forth, then grab it on the top and bottom and do the same. repeat for other side. Sometimes you can detect worn front end compents this way.

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Redmud

09-13-2004 05:08:58

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Re: Brake problem with 1995 Ford Thunderbird in reply to Tony Patterson, 09-12-2004 17:45:37

Walk along side your car and watch the front wheel while someone moves the car back and forth and applies the brakes. be sure to check both front wheels this way. if you notice the wheels move toward the rear while brakeing forward then you need to check your control arm bushings. If the right front has a lot of back and forth movement and the left don"t you should still replace bushings on both sides..
Redmud:

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Hal/WA

09-12-2004 22:48:45

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Re: Brake problem with 1995 Ford Thunderbird in reply to Tony Patterson, 09-12-2004 17:45:37

Did you put all the brake parts on at the same time? Or did you use the old calipers with the new rotors? If so, you might very well have had a stuck or partially stuck caliper, which could have cause the new rotor to warp fairly quickly.

I would try having the rotors trued on a brake lathe. Unfortunately, I have found brand new rotors that were enough out of true that they made noises. Maybe one was dropped or something... It doesn't cost much to have the machining done, but you do have to take the rotors back off to do it.

It seems odd that a high line car like a T-bird would not have had ABS in 1995 as standard equipment. Some of the cars I have driven with ABS had pulsations like bad rotors under hard braking conditions--rather unnerving the first time. But the later Crown Victorias ABS was almost undetectable.

If truing the rotors doesn't cure the problem, I would suggest taking the car to a good brake shop or possibly to Ford. Maybe there is something you are missing. Good luck!

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TPat

09-13-2004 02:44:25

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Re: Brake problem with 1995 Ford Thunderbird in reply to Hal/WA, 09-12-2004 22:48:45

Hal, all the new brake parts were put on at the same time. The car just developed the pull and that is why I replaced the front end brake parts. I have a manual and my master brake cylinder is not like the one with the ABS system??
I have owned the car since new so it has not been changed. I simply do not know in this case as to what is causing the slight pull to the right unless I have excessive wear in the front end steering parts. Thats my next repair. Thank you for your time and advice. TPat

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09-12-2004 19:42:18

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Re: Brake problem with 1995 Ford Thunderbird in reply to Tony Patterson, 09-12-2004 17:45:37

Trembling brakes or pulsating brakes are invariably rotors. I know you put new ones on. You can get the cheap made in China ones for $20 or the high nickel content for about $45/per. I suppose even new ones can go out of round. In particular, a couple of high speed quick stops...heats them up and warps them.

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TPat

09-12-2004 19:50:44

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Re: Brake problem with 1995 Ford Thunderbird in reply to bo, 09-12-2004 19:42:18

The new rotors stopped the trembling in the brakes. But they still pull to the right when used. Thanks Bo. TPat

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TheRealRon

09-12-2004 18:33:54

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Re: Brake problem with 1995 Ford Thunderbird in reply to Tony Patterson, 09-12-2004 17:45:37

Jerry hit the nail on the head. Replace the rotors, both of them. NAPA has high-quality ones and they are not expensive.

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Jerry L /az

09-12-2004 18:26:13

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Re: Brake problem with 1995 Ford Thunderbird in reply to Tony Patterson, 09-12-2004 17:45:37

check you'r rotors sounds like they are warped. when they put on the wheels and run the lug nuts up with an impact and sit there and hammer it cause's rotors to warp should be tightend by hand 75-80 ft.lbs hope this helps..... .Jer

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TPat

09-12-2004 18:39:52

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Re: Brake problem with 1995 Ford Thunderbird in reply to Jerry L /az, 09-12-2004 18:26:13

Hey Jerry, I put the tires on and did tighten the lugs with a torque wrench. The only thing I know to do now is start replacing the rest of the front end that I have not already done. Thank you for your information. TPat

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kjm

09-12-2004 19:46:03

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Re: Brake problem with 1995 Ford Thunderbird in reply to TPat, 09-12-2004 18:39:52

Replace the roters under waranty or have them turned that will take care of the shake. The pull is a differant problem. Check the strut arm bushings and lower control arm bushings ,also check the rear brakes for adjustment and leaking axle seals happens all the time. One other thing I have seen a lot of, is twisting the calipers when putting them back on and kinking the brake lines. Also it is posibal to install some Ford inner brake pads upside down(the arch goes down not up) AND WHEN DONE TIGHTEN THE LUG NUTS WITH A STAR PATTERN go 25-50-then to specs.

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Vern-MI

09-13-2004 06:47:59

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Re: Brake problem with 1995 Ford Thunderbird in reply to kjm, 09-12-2004 19:46:03

Thouorghly clean all traces of rust and scale off the wheel hub face where it contacts the mounting face of the rotor before installing the new rotor. Failure to do this will cause the rotor to wobble. 0.004 to 0.006 total indicator reading measured perpendicular to the face of the rotor at the outer rim can really be felt at the brake pedal. If both rotors are wobbling in phase then you will really feel it.

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Tony Patterson

09-13-2004 15:53:15

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Re: Brake problem with 1995 Ford Thunderbird in reply to Vern-MI, 09-13-2004 06:47:59

Thank you to all who have taken their time to comment and offer their advice. I am going to look at the front end steering/suspension components for excessive wear. Thanks again, TPat

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