Check Out Your Parking Brake

[03 Merc]

Hello Everyone,

Well I picked up my Maurader Saturday afternoon and by 5:00PM had found a problem the hard way.

My driveway is rather steep so I use my parking brake to keep from loading up the Park Pawl in the transmission. When I set the Park Brake it either pulled the cable loose, or something failed when I released it.

Bottom line is the Left Rear Brake assembly on my 03 is toast. This morning when the mechanic removed the disc assembly pieces and parts dropped out all over from the parking drum brake. (There is a drum brake inside your rear disc brake for the vehicle parking brake.) The ABS Sensor was also damaged (but still works) and needs replaced. The backing plate is a real mess where bolts pulled out of it from the look of it.

All I had was a light chatter and the feeling something was wrong. Since the disc brakes were unaffected I did not get any warning lights etc... Plus the regular brakes did not pull.

If you do not normally use your park brake you might want to test it.

Oh well for a few days my wife and I have matching His and Hers 02 Mountaineers as I got one to drive while the parts are on order...

[Logan]

Hmmm... Out to the garage I go....

Thanks for the heads up...

[Patrick]

Thanks wayne. Its going to crappy weather for a few days and have to go to work so I will take it the dealership to have a look at this weekend. Thanks again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[LincMercLover]

Mine works flawlessly... Guess it's just another one of those one in a millions (if they ever made a million)...

[CRUZTAKER]

The PB on my 98 marquis broke the same way, a month AFTER the warranty ran out. Too expensive to fix. I traded the car BACK with a dead PB. That'll fix 'em.

I purposely tried mine at the dealer, several times. I rarely use it in my daily routine, but I wanted to know it was there if I did.

[RF Overlord]

Originally posted by 03 Merc
My driveway is rather steep so I use my parking brake to keep from loading up the Park Pawl in the transmission.

Me, too, so the wife and I are in the habit of applying the PB every time we exit the vehicle...mine works fine...

The PB on my 98 marquis broke the same way, a month AFTER the warranty ran out.

...for now...

[jgc61sr2002]

Haven't used the parking brake yet , will have to try it. Thanks again for the heads up. John

[Colin]

What parts broke?

Colin

[UncleLar]

So,which parts broke or commonly break?
I know the linings like to come off the shoes..............

[Marauder Rick]

Mine did the exact same thing. I thought it was just something crazy that i unknowingly did.

[capt512]

For years in the CVs and GMQs this has been an issue, they rust up and the cable siezes, usually causing them to stick on. I ended up ripping the whole setup out of my 01CV after replacing it 3 times for hundreds each time.

[JOEMERC]

Wow maybe I should try mine, I think I used mine maybe half a dozen times since I had the car since 2004 ,just never use it just a habit I have.

[RichardP]

Good to hear, luckily for me a mechanic already broke mine.