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Problems with steering and brakes on a Mustang
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schmerzen87
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Jan 7, 2013, 12:04 AM
Post #1 of 21
(2080 views)
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Problems with steering and brakes on a Mustang
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I have a 2001 Mustang GT (90,000 miles) and all of a sudden I hear a grinding noise when I turn the steering wheel. There is also a loud clicking noise when I step on the brake pedal, especially if I do it fast. I don't think I have had any loss of power when I brake but that sound when I push the pedal down really has me worried. I do have to push the brake pedal down quite far and I am not sure if that is normal. I have driven this car for three years and I have only driven one other car before which had a brake pedal that felt very different.
I love the sound the engine of this car makes but the reliability problems on top of the price of gas is ruining me. Last year I had the intake manifold replaced ($1,100) because a plastic part broke causing coolant to leak. I am pretty sure the coolant leaked into a ignition coil, which was replaced. I knew there was a problem because the car would shake during idle and at its worst when I pressed on the gas the car would hesitate before accelerating. I found later that the problem I described with the intake manifold resulted in a class action lawsuit against Ford in 2005. Either way, that problem was fixed but I thought I would describe it for anyone driving the same car as me in case they experience the same symptoms. Also the year before that I had the transmission rebuilt and a new torque converter.
If anyone here could help me I would appreciate it.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jan 7, 2013, 3:49 AM
Post #2 of 21
(2051 views)
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Re: Problems with steering and brakes on a Mustang
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Why haven't you just plain inspected the brakes? Low pedal, noises etc., what more do you need. Even metal to metal brakes still stop till they fail totally attacking rotor or worse a piston in caliper can come too far out. What are you waiting for?
T
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jan 7, 2013, 4:10 AM
Post #3 of 21
(2044 views)
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Re: Problems with steering and brakes on a Mustang
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Yes, the4 plastic manifolds leak at the rear on the p#$$enger side but that is nothing new. They also crack around the plastic thermostat housing.
Sounds like you paid nearly double what it should have cost though. The part is about $300
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Jan 7, 2013, 4:12 AM)
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schmerzen87
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Jan 7, 2013, 8:03 AM
Post #4 of 21
(2027 views)
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Re: Problems with steering and brakes on a Mustang
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They charged $1,100 for the part plus labor if my memory is correct. I am sure you are going to tell me I was ripped off. That is one reason I am trying to learn more about cars.
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schmerzen87
User
Jan 7, 2013, 8:18 AM
Post #5 of 21
(2023 views)
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Re: Problems with steering and brakes on a Mustang
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The mechanic called and told me that the clicking noise when the brake pedal is pushed down is caused by the brake pads rattling and that I need to find a hardware kit for the aftermarket brakes because he can't find one. Other than that he said the brakes felt normal.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jan 7, 2013, 8:41 AM
Post #6 of 21
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Re: Problems with steering and brakes on a Mustang
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Generally if hardware problems with brakes noises will go away when they are applied. Hardware should almost always be replaced when doing brakes. If you get there look a the pads really well for even wear, cracks, a chunk missing or rusted plate the holds the lining material as pads can plain fall off of the metal backing plates............
T
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schmerzen87
User
Jan 7, 2013, 11:05 AM
Post #7 of 21
(2002 views)
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Re: Problems with steering and brakes on a Mustang
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The mechanic said I had three options: to find a hardware kit for Baer brakes (which I can't find, he said I needed a kit, that brake shims weren't enough), or to replace the front brakes back to stock (that would be over $1,000), or I would have to live with the noise.
I should give you more background on my brake problems. My dad had Baer brakes put on the car and he was in a car accident where one of the rear calipers was damaged. I was not in the car but I am certain he had the traction control off. I was told that in the rain the car spun around and he ended up on the sidewalk facing the wrong way. What happened afterwards was that we could not find what model the brakes were or any record of the purchase. I called Baer and they told me to replace the rear caliper with one from either a Corvette or a Camaro (I was told the year but I don't remember it now). Anyway after hours looking online I finally found a refurbished caliper from a Camaro of the correct year and that was installed. When it came time to replace the brake pads I still I could not find the model for the brakes and the mechanics said that Mustang pads would not fit the rear brakes.
So the result is I have Baer cross drilled/slotted rotors for each wheel, one of the rear calipers is from a Camaro, and I have Mustang Cobra brake pads in front and either Corvette or Camaro brake pads in the rear (I don't even remember which).
After all these years I found a print out I made of the brakes so I am almost one hundred percent sure they are "96-02 Ford Mustang Baer Front Track Claw Brake System" that you can find by putting into Google. The thing is, I cannot find them on the Baer website.
I also just remembered one important detail: A few months ago I ended up slamming my right front wheel directly into a curb. I won't go into the story why that happened. The brakes barely worked and pedal went all the way to the floor. I know all the brake fluid was gone by the time I go to the mechanic. I was sure that I would need serious repairs but all they did to fix it was replace an O-ring and flush the system. That cost $100. I am now thinking that the accident is the reason why I am hearing noise from my right front wheel, but this just started happening yesterday, and that accident was months ago. What confuses me is that the noise I heard when going over a bump came from the right front. The mechanic said that the only noise he heard was from the left front. And that he did not hear a grinding noise when turning the steering wheel.
Sorry about the long story.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 7, 2013, 11:14 AM
Post #8 of 21
(1996 views)
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Re: Problems with steering and brakes on a Mustang
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That's the chance you take when you put that aftermarket crap on a car. Now you have a problem that no shop wants anything to do with.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Sidom
Veteran
/ Moderator
Jan 7, 2013, 9:02 PM
Post #9 of 21
(1973 views)
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Re: Problems with steering and brakes on a Mustang
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Well as HT already pointed out.....When you start installing all this aftermarket equipment, you start to narrow the field of shops that will be willing to work on your car......For a lot of the reasons you are running into...It's hard to find parts. There is no tech info in any database on these...I could go on but you get the point......
It sounds like you have a loose chas$is part......See if the tech would be willing to go on a test drive with you....point out the noise so he can duplicate this on a test drive of his own.....
Once you do find a good tech that's willing to work on this car......Be nice....Give him all the info he asks for (don't tell him how to do his job), once the problem is found & all the details worked out and you've seen all you need to see.....leave him alone & let him do his thing.......& donunts never hurt.......jelly filled is always plus....
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jan 8, 2013, 12:33 AM
Post #10 of 21
(1965 views)
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Re: Problems with steering and brakes on a Mustang
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HT and Sid are right on with this. Long retired now and I'd pass on this car with knowing all this now and try to suggest a place that deals with messed up stuff. It's been in collisions/accidents now with some sort of neon lighted brakes that aren't behaving. I'm not sure I would know how to know it was all right and safe if I had all new parts for this other than back to OE stuff everywhere.
There's a place for this stuff but suggest if a budget this isn't for many. The last place around me that dealt with funking out a vehicle (usually off road type stuff) is selling lawn mowers and snow blowers. Nuff said,
T
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schmerzen87
User
Jan 8, 2013, 4:04 PM
Post #11 of 21
(1950 views)
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Re: Problems with steering and brakes on a Mustang
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I was told that my front struts and ball joints must be replaced very soon and that the total price would be $1,000.
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schmerzen87
User
Jan 8, 2013, 4:10 PM
Post #12 of 21
(1947 views)
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Re: Problems with steering and brakes on a Mustang
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"p#$$"
The forum censored a non-curse word?
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jan 8, 2013, 4:41 PM
Post #13 of 21
(1938 views)
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Re: Problems with steering and brakes on a Mustang
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Yep, it seems to get any word with those 3 letters in it.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jan 8, 2013, 4:44 PM
Post #14 of 21
(1935 views)
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Re: Problems with steering and brakes on a Mustang
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That's just a recent site glitch. It will snag the word "p-a-s-s" and mix up the last three letters wherever they show up in a row. IMO not even a curse word. $1,000 for struts and ball joints alone is a bit high but would have to itemize just what that quote included as parts and labor,
T
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ron79
Novice
Jan 8, 2013, 7:17 PM
Post #15 of 21
(1918 views)
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Re: Problems with steering and brakes on a Mustang
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its a 2001 im assuming your not expecting to keep the car for another 10 years.
Just go to a wrecking yard and pick up 4 stock used calipers and then buy new rotors and pads.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jan 8, 2013, 7:20 PM
Post #16 of 21
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Re: Problems with steering and brakes on a Mustang
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No, I don't advise junkyard calipers. that's just asking for trouble and calipers aren't that expensive.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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schmerzen87
User
Jan 8, 2013, 7:50 PM
Post #17 of 21
(1905 views)
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Re: Problems with steering and brakes on a Mustang
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I am considering taking it to the dealership to see what they will give me for the car, although part of me doesn't want to do that. The car has new tires and I just had that new intake manifold put on last year. I doubt they will give me very much money for that car even though the repairs these last three years have cost thousands of dollars. I once tried to sell the car through a website when it was in better shape and I was not able to sell it. I talked to one guy on the phone and when I tried to call him back the number he gave me didn't even work. So I tried to sell the car through another website, which cost $200 to list if I remember correctly. It was nothing but a scam. They had it where a potential buyer could talk to you though their website instead of calling you on the phone. One guy actually said he wanted me to ship the car to Canada and he would pay in cash, I knew right away it was a trick. So I put in the ad that I would not ship the car outside the country, that I had to meet the buyer in person, and would only take a certified check. When I talked to a representative for the company on the phone (because they found my number and called me) they said the ad would last on their website until the car sold but in my account there was a date listed for the ad to terminate. So the company and the people who responded were all scam artists. I should have done research on the company first. I don't remember the address.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jan 8, 2013, 9:02 PM
Post #18 of 21
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Re: Problems with steering and brakes on a Mustang
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Man, you've had a run of bad luck with this thing. Are you now just looking to sell or trade for something? Trading for newer or new IMO you'll get the better used cars at a new car dealer but near always a wholesale price for your trade minus any problems they will find. Intake job and tires aren't going to help too much.
Private sales can get you the most money but be fair about the deal. I have sold cars for others who didn't have the time thru Craigslist that didn't cost anything. Sold local to me as owner was 130 miles away and stated known problems to avoid unnecessary calls etc and price greatly reduced for those problems not to be fixed prior to sale and no warranty to an adult only to sign that they understood in my local legal form stating it had problems known.
Here if traded to a dealer you are not responsible for the car whatsoever so they will check it out and always a lowball price towards another or horribly low price if you want to just sell and not buy anything.
You should check locally with what suits you best for any of that. Yes - get real bank check or cash. That whole thing can be a nightmare with used vehicles especially. Make sure all papers are in order and legal for a transaction if you do this.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do, -- T
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schmerzen87
User
Jan 8, 2013, 9:12 PM
Post #19 of 21
(1888 views)
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Re: Problems with steering and brakes on a Mustang
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"or horribly low price if you want to just sell and not buy anything."
That is why I have trepidation about going to the dealership. I know they will inspect the car before giving me an offer but I am wondering if they are going to charge me to inspect the car and I know they will try to give me the lowest possible price. If I did get a good amount for the car I would probably look to buy a Honda or Toyota from a private seller.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jan 9, 2013, 1:55 AM
Post #20 of 21
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Re: Problems with steering and brakes on a Mustang
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If you go to a dealer, new or used you should just say you want to sell your car and let them give you a price. I bet you get a plain yes or no right away that they would consider buying it and you shouldn't pay to get a price but would get a quick low offer. Better yet go to a new Toyota or Honda dealer and ask for what they have that you might like used or any brand dealer by plain phone and find out what they have that you may like and go in as a buyer with a trade.
Sales people don't generally ask for any money till you come to some agreement. Their whole job is to sell cars and you are king until you drop down one dime on an agreement and your negotiating just ended. If you see something you want tell them the entire deal is subject to a second party inspection of the car you want so you remain in control. You may not and can walk out. Do your homework and if by chance you find something know exactly what the final cost is before signing a thing. Every cost for a dealer anything as the deal can mean extended warranties, low cost financing can hide some profits too that sales people make a commission on so know what you are getting up front.
Buying used privately takes more leg work and if serious always have the car checked out by a disinterested shop for inspection which you would pay for.
It's OK if you take on a fixed wreck or "salvage" vehicle but those should be much lower priced vehicles. It's all quite a game. What you really don't want is any replacement car that has been flooded no matter how well cleaned up they are near certain to be a constant headache.
Best I can say is know what you are doing with buying and selling and learn the ropes for your area,
T
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schmerzen87
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Jan 9, 2013, 7:13 AM
Post #21 of 21
(1865 views)
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Re: Problems with steering and brakes on a Mustang
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Thanks.
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