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Ford Freestar Brakes

23 messages,  Last post on Jan 22, 2011 at 9:55 AM

You are in the Ford Freestar Forum.

What is this discussion about? Ford Freestar, Mercury Monterey, Van

Messages Page 3 of 3

#16 of 23 Re: noisy brakes [kkalbfleisch] by conash

Jun 25, 2009 (9:51 am)

Replying to: kkalbfleisch (May 23, 2009 7:16 pm)
I have a ford 2005 ses freestar. My brakes squeak as well. It is almost as though something is cranking when I press on the brake. The sound can be heard outside of the van as well. When I took it to the dealership while it was still under warranty I was told, "that's Ford." So basically you are correct when you say it probably has something to do with the design of the brakes.
 
It is so embarrassing when you drive a car, and everyone can hear you brake. It seems to be getting worse and worse.

#17 of 23 Re: noisy brakes [conash] by jroyse

Oct 30, 2009 (12:23 pm)

Replying to: conash (Jun 25, 2009 9:51 am)
Haha. 2004 Merc Monterey here. Front Bearings went bad around 60k (loud EEEE! squeal at highway speed). Took it to a Merc dealer, they replaced the bearings, and checked the PCM TSB (OK), then they said the "groaning" noise when I put on the brakes was the calipers, and they would need to be replaced. HA! These are Phenolic pistons calipers, and it is a design problem with them making noise. Part of life really, they groan. Phenolic pistons on calipers are how large vehicles with large brakes keep the brake fluid from heating up and boiling, and you losing brake power. Plastic lined calipers squeak, but they don't boil fluid! However I think it was poor dealer service to say I needed new calipers ($$$!). So I took the van to an independent shop - they pulled the calipers and lubricated the slide pins the calipers ride on and most of the groaning went away, the un-lubricated metals was amplifying the piston noise. I believe it was $80 labor for the independent shop to do something correctly. If you want to know what true cost of parts are, try www.rockauto.com and look up the part. Before you buy it, make sure the independent shop takes outside parts, sometimes they will!

#18 of 23 Ford Freestar brake fluid by wheatltc

Dec 02, 2009 (10:13 am)

HELP !! Is there any easy way to check brake fluid levels on a Freestar? The fluid resevoir is located under plastic "shelf" in the back of the engine compartment, is very difficult to view well, and I have no idea how I would add fluid if necessary (without using some type of funnel/tube arrangement.
'

#19 of 23 Brakes rear by barrybeck1

Dec 22, 2009 (7:34 am)

I have a 2004 purchased brand new freestar now with 115,000 miles on it. It was in the shop 15 times in its first 16 months of life. The dealer tried to get it returned under the lemon law but Ford refused saying it had 2 many miles on it! I use it daily as I am a repair person and have to use my own vehicle. Fortunately my trans went out at about 65,000 and it was under warranty so Ford had no option but to fix it. Something about the pump shaft going thru the torque converter. I haven't liked the way it shifts since they fixed it 2 year ago untill a mechanic friend of mine found something very interesting. The right rear brake caliper was frozen and the right rear brake was always engaged so it was causing wheel drag. He tried to fix it but eventually he had to replace the caliper. This was just found after 4 years and 110,000 miles, why didn't Ford find this lots earlier, I complaigned about the brakes making a scraping noise when the Van was new and was told thats normal when they are cold and it will go away when the vehicles warms up. It did but when we found this the right rear brake inside pad was worn on an angle and was down to the metal backing, funny how the left side was OK and wearing normally. I had to have both sides done but now the new caliper had to be added as the caliper piston was sticking. My machanic said probably from over heating and it became warped. I fully now believe that was the main reason for the transmission problem since now it shifts so smooth I can't even feel it and the highway milage went up almost 2 miles per gallon

#20 of 23 Mercury Monterrey Rear Wheel Noise by richmich

Feb 15, 2010 (4:04 pm)

#21 of 23 Mercury Monterrey Rear Wheel Noise by richmich

Feb 15, 2010 (4:04 pm)

I have a 2004 Mercury Monterey.
 
I had similar issues with the rear caliper sticking causing uneven wear of the pad and also a noise when breaking (somewhat load whistling type noise).
 
We noticed over the last 30-60 days a "groaning" type noise coming from what I think is the rear passenger wheel area.
 
You can only hear this when you go slow around 0 to 10 MPH.
 
Any thoughts on what this is. I was thinking bearing but never heard anything like this or maybe it needed lubrication but cannot find anything on lubricating the rear axle/wheels.
 
Thanks, Rich

#22 of 23 2004 Freestar brake lights by companyman01

Jan 22, 2011 (9:55 am)

#23 of 23 2004 Freestar brake lights by companyman01

Jan 22, 2011 (9:55 am)

about a month ago, the brake pedal started settling an hour or so after parking, triggering the brake lights. It has run the battery down a couple of times, stranding my wife. Has anyone had this happen? I am trying to figure out whether it is a problem in the brake lines or with the power assist up under the dash.

Messages Page 3 of 3

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