are brakes supposed to be this touchy?

[edprush]

I just bought a 1989 Mercury Grand Marquis and it seems to be in pretty decent condition except that the brakes GRAB immediately when I apply pressure to the brake pedal.

Is this the way it should be on this car?

It's snowy/icy where I'm at and I've spun out more than once recently when tapping the brakes. I have driven many other rear-wheel drive vehicles (including trucks) and nothing has ever caused me to loose control on ice more than this car.

Any suggestions/recommendations?

Thanks.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

When was the last time you replaced your pads?

 

[zig3695]

i wouldnt doubt that everything is fine. ford has had a few vehicles with touchy brakes, even newer cars. but new ones also have abs so its really not a big deal.

but you shouldnt spin out if you lock your brakes... are you sure your fronts are working because maybe its only the backs that are grabbing...

 

[edprush]

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
When was the last time you replaced your pads?

I just bought the car about 2 months ago. I don't know when pads were replaced last?

Would this car have drum brakes?

but you shouldnt spin out if you lock your brakes... are you sure your fronts are working because maybe its only the backs that are grabbing...

I am not sure my fronts are working. When I apply the brakes, my rear-end swings around 180 degrees. Would that mean my fronts are working and my rear brakes are not?

 

[zig3695]

yeah it sounds like your back brakes are working just fine, your front pads probably need replacing.

with my truck right now, the back brakes are shot and the fronts are new. i dont even notice it, any vehicle puts most stop on front brakes anyway- just to keep from spinning out. only time i notice is when im on ice or snow and i put my truck in gear. the front brakes keep the truck from moving but the back wheels spin sucks when your on a hill....

 

[LordMorpheus]

Get a brake job or do one yourself. That car shouldn't have very touchy brakes (I drive a 97 town car, same basic chassis, the brakes are fairly progressive, I've never had a problem with them "grabbing").

I also drove a 1991 ford (sable) and the brakes there were never grabby, maybe a little soft though.

Get those fixed before you hurt yourself.

 

[shabby]

Why are you people suggesting him to change his brake pads? You'd figure with worn brake pads it would grab less. If your pads have more then enough material theres no point in changing them, inspect them first.
I remember driving a ford focus once and almost hit the steering wheel, i gently pressed the brakes but it felt like i mashed them thru the floor, seems like a ford thing.
Maybe you want to introduce some air into the brake lines so they feel more spongy

 

[Black88GTA]

I drove a 1988 Grand Marquis for a while. The brakes were very touchy in mine too, although I never spun it out. Just something I got used to.

My mom has an '05 Odyssey, and that van has absolutely the grabbiest brakes out of any car I've ever driven. Much more so than my Grand Marquis.

 

[compuwiz1]

90 Crown Vic is the same as you describe. Those are fully assisted, which means they require very little pedal pressure. At slower speeds it's easy to over do it.

 

[MovingTarget]

full-size vehicles of that era generally have front disc and rear drum brakes. You may still want to get them checked especially since you haven't had the vehicle long.

 

[dawp]

Originally posted by: shabby
Why are you people suggesting him to change his brake pads? You'd figure with worn brake pads it would grab less. If your pads have more then enough material theres no point in changing them, inspect them first.
I remember driving a ford focus once and almost hit the steering wheel, i gently pressed the brakes but it felt like i mashed them thru the floor, seems like a ford thing.
Maybe you want to introduce some air into the brake lines so they feel more spongy

Bad idea, cold make matters worse, no brakes, you DO NOT need to be giving that kind of advice, could get someone killed, if thats that the kind of advice you give then don't give any and save a life. I wouldn't want you working on my car.

They may grab if the pads have glazed or got contaminated with oil on them I believe, so if that the case the pads do need replacement.


Could be you have no rear brakes. front slows and rear keeps going.

 

[shabby]

Your sarcasm meter is broken dawp, noticed the smiley at the end?

 

[dawp]

even if it's a joke, there are people that would do that trying to fix this problem.joke or not, it's not a good idea to tell people to put air in the brakes. there is a chance they may take it seriously. now you would not want a death on your conscience for a stupid joke.

 

[shabby]

Originally posted by: dawp
there are people that would do that trying to fix this problem.

No there arent, because anyone that dumb to think that doesnt have the slightest clue on how to introduce air into their brake lines.

 

[dawp]

I wouldn't bet my life on it.

you be surprised and some of the stupid people I've met, and yes the would have done just this if it was suggested to them.

DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE STUPIDITY OF MORONS.

how many times have you heard "It seamed like a good idea at the time."


there was a guy on this very forum that took off his brake mastercylinder, took a hammer to the rod and proceded to bang away on it, all the while thinking it was his clutch cylinder.

here's that thread:
http://forums.anandtech.com/me..._key=y&keyword1=clutch

 

[f1r3s1d3]

Originally posted by: shabby
Why are you people suggesting him to change his brake pads? You'd figure with worn brake pads it would grab less. If your pads have more then enough material theres no point in changing them, inspect them first.
I remember driving a ford focus once and almost hit the steering wheel, i gently pressed the brakes but it felt like i mashed them thru the floor, seems like a ford thing.
Maybe you want to introduce some air into the brake lines so they feel more spongy

LOL. Our 2002 Explorer XLT pedal is VERY progressive. It was touchy the first time but once you're used to it it's great. The brakes on that thing are beast. 12" rotors up front, 11.5" @ back.

 

[Pacfanweb]

Yes, that's the way those old Crowns and GM's were. My mom still has my grandma's 91 GM, (really a 90, they just called them 91's to get rid of the the last few before the body change in 92), and it will absolutely stand you on your head the first few times you hit the brakes, until you get used to it.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: edprush

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
When was the last time you replaced your pads?

I just bought the car about 2 months ago. I don't know when pads were replaced last?

Would this car have drum brakes?

but you shouldnt spin out if you lock your brakes... are you sure your fronts are working because maybe its only the backs that are grabbing...

I am not sure my fronts are working. When I apply the brakes, my rear-end swings around 180 degrees. Would that mean my fronts are working and my rear brakes are not?

Sounds like your rear brakes are locking. I'd definitely have them checked.

 

[Pacfanweb]

If the rears are locking up, then that's NOT normal. late-80's, early 90's Fords with rear drum brakes did have a problem with the rear shoes being too "grabby", but that was usually just on moist mornings. They quit after a few applications.