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'96 Tracer Trio Catalytic converter and rear brake issues.
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HeartShapedNoose
Anonymous Poster
eternallbleeding@gmail.com
Sep 3, 2009, 5:21 AM
Post #1 of 6
(2553 views)
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'96 Tracer Trio Catalytic converter and rear brake issues.
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Ok I have a '96 Mercury Tracer Trio with a 1.9L 4 cylinder manual transmission with about 160,000 miles on it. I have 2 questions regarding this car.
Question 1) My rear brakes/emergency brake has been sticking on my car...I had a mechanic change the rear brakes at his house and when he went to put the new ones on he could not get them in...he said that the emergency brake was sticking...what parts are needed to repair the rear brakes/sticking emergency brake?
Question 2) Can anyone tell me the easiest way to remove a catalytic converter from this car being a front mount converter? I cant drive the car as its not running and I think the catalytic converter is clogged and need to replace it...but dont know how to get it off seeing as i cant get to the bolts on the top half of the converter. Please if you can tell me how to get it off and if possible a diagram would be nice.
Thanks...i really need to get this stuff fixed.
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Loren Champlain Sr
Veteran
/ Moderator
Sep 3, 2009, 10:24 AM
Post #2 of 6
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Re: '96 Tracer Trio Catalytic converter and rear brake issues.
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Heart; This is just a guess, but...As the rear brake shoes wear, and if not properly adjusted, the emergency brake will at some point no longer hold. Someone may have adjusted the ebrake to 'take up the slack'. If this is the case, you'll need to de-adjust the ebrake, replace the rear shoes, adjust them properly, then re-adjust the ebrake if needed. E brake cables can, and do, rust inside the cable housing, especially if this in an automatic transmission and the ebrake isn't used everyday. If this is the case, you can try spraying the cable housing with penetrant, but to be honest is usually futile, and may end up having to replace the cable(s). With this said, I'm assuming that you have drum brakes in the rear. If you have disc brakes in the rear, the pistons must be turned clockwise and depressed at the same time. (there is a special tool made for this procedure).
As far as the catalytic converter goes, I've never seen one plugged so badly that it would keep the engine from starting. Severe loss of power, yes. You can't 'just remove it'. If it's plugged, and I'd want to be darned sure, you'll have to replace it.
Loren
SW Washington
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HeartShapedNoose
Anonymous Poster
eternallbleeding@gmail.com
Sep 3, 2009, 12:55 PM
Post #3 of 6
(2546 views)
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Re: '96 Tracer Trio Catalytic converter and rear brake issues.
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Well the catalytic converter isnt the reason its not running exactly...it will start and everything but because it is plugged up it blew out the 3rd cylinder spark plug to relieve the pressue so i have to get a heli coil to put a new plug in to start it. I was wondering if anyone had a diagram or could explain the easiest way to get to the bolts on the catalytic converter to remove it that way i can check it. Thanks
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Loren Champlain Sr
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/ Moderator
Sep 3, 2009, 1:04 PM
Post #4 of 6
(2543 views)
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Re: '96 Tracer Trio Catalytic converter and rear brake issues.
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Heart; I seriously doubt that the plug 'blowing out' is the fault of the cat. But, it sounds like you are determined to find out.. You can remove the oxygen sensor from the exhaust which will relieve any backpressure. It will be noisy, but will answer your question. Leave the sensor plugged into it's electrical connector. You may still cause a check engine light and trouble code. If it runs will full power with the sensor out, you are probably right. You can also check for excessive backpressure with a vacuum guage. Connect a vacuum guage to a manifold vacuum source. Take a reading at idle, then raise the rpm to 2500 and take another reading. The vacuum at 2500 should be as great, or greater than it was at idle. If lower, then you have a restricted exhaust. A better test is a pressure guage that you can connect to the exhaust where the oxygen sensor was. Any reading above 2psi is not good. (restricted exhaust).
There may be a heat shield covering the bolts holding the cat. to the exhaust manifold. If you remove it, you should be able to see, or feel, the bolts holding it.
Loren
SW Washington
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Guest
Anonymous Poster
Sep 3, 2009, 2:29 PM
Post #5 of 6
(2542 views)
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Re: '96 Tracer Trio Catalytic converter and rear brake issues.
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i can see the bolts but i cant get to them due to the small space around the cat. i dont know if anyone has any experience with this car or not to tell the easiest way.
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Sidom
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/ Moderator
Sep 3, 2009, 2:58 PM
Post #6 of 6
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Re: '96 Tracer Trio Catalytic converter and rear brake issues.
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My best suggestion is to listen to Loren, he is telling 2 of the best ways to test a cat/exhaust system.
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