1998 Mercury Villager Brake locking up while driving

CARFREEK

MEMBER
1998 MERCURY VILLAGER
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
114,578 MILES

My Villager is automatically engaging the left front brake while i'm driving. However, when I press the brake pedal about half way it releases the left brake but applies the rest of the brakes.

I've changed the caliper and the master cylinder and neither has changed this condition. It does have ABS but the ABS light does not eluminate other than at start up but then it goes out after the self test is complete.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Wednesday, June 11th, 2008 AT 8:29 PM

4 Replies

MHPAUTOS

MECHANIC
31,937 POSTS

Hi there,

I would be checking the flexible brake hose for a partial blockage, as this will increase line pressure on one brake only, if faulty replace all hoses as a set.

Mark (mhpautos)

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Wednesday, June 11th, 2008 AT 8:58 PM

CARFREEK

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Mark, thanks for the reply. I have a follow-up question.

Would you be able to tell if the flex hose is partially blocked if the caliper bleeds normal during brake bleeding? I felt no restriction in the line while bleeding the brake after changing the caliper and the master cylinder.

Thanks.

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Thursday, June 12th, 2008 AT 10:02 PM

MHPAUTOS

MECHANIC
31,937 POSTS

Hi there,

you would normally have a normal brake bleed, as the inner wall of the hose delaminates and can act as a one way valve, so the best way to see is to crack the bleeder when the brake is dragging and if you have pressure (not much) and the brake frees up, that is a fair bet the hose is faulty.

Mark (mhpautos)

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Thursday, June 12th, 2008 AT 10:13 PM

GIGATECH