Six problems related to brake disc pads have been reported for the 1998 Mercury Sable. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
In 1998 I purchased a new Mercury Sable. Stopping distance has been inadequate since new. Returned to dealer 3 times, checked and stated everything was fine. In panic stops it feels as if only the rear wheels are braking. Now, after 95,000 miles I have changed the rear brake pads 3 times and rear rotors once, but the original front pads are still on the car - just now needing replacement. Front rotors excellent - no outer ridge. Obviously, front brakes are not working effectively - normally front brakes provide about 60% of braking power. On November 19 2004 I rear-ended another car in a chain-reaction panic stop. Body damage is now repaired, but I hesitate to put it back in service without determining and repairing the brake problem that has existed since the car was new. I wrote Ford about the problem years ago but received no answer. The service manager at the dealership has no record that I ever complained about inadequate braking. Car was checked at brakemasters, but they could find nothing wrong. With millions of Sables and tauruses built by Ford, I can't believe I have the only car with this problem. I wonder how many of these cars have been involved in rear-end collisions with the owners never realizing that they had a braking problem? I would like to know why the front brakes are not working, so I can repair the problem!.
In 1998 I purchased a new Mercury Sable. Stopping distance has been inadequate since new. Returned to dealer 3 times, checked and stated everything was fine. In panic stops it feels as if only the rear wheels are braking. Now, after 95,000 miles I have changed the rear brake pads 3 times and rear rotors once, but the original front pads are still on the car - just now needing replacement. Front rotors excellent - no outer ridge. Obviously, front brakes are not working effectively - normally front brakes provide about 60& of braking power. On November 19 I rear-ended another car in a chain-reaction panic stop. Body damage is now repaired, but I hesitate to put it back in service without determining and repairing the brake problem that has existed since the car was new. I wrote Ford about the problem years ago but received no answer. The service manager at the dealership has no record that I ever complained about inadequate braking. Car was checked at brakemasters, but they could find nothing wrong. With millions of Sables and tauruses built by Ford, I can't believe I have the only car with this problem. I wonder how many of these cars have been involved in rear-end collisions with the owners never realizing that they had a braking problem?.
Rear brake pads completely worn, needing replacement and machining of rotors. Dealer thought front brakes had been serviced because pads were in such good shape. All brake parts were original equipment from time vehicle was built. Dealer claims rear brakes do 70% of stopping on this car by design.
I rotate tires every 6000 mi. During rotation I inspect brake pads for wear. At 18000 mi I found excessive wear on rear pads, to the point that they needed to be replaced fairly soon. I took the car to the dealer for replacement under warranty. They advised that thos wear was "normal" and was not covered under warranty. That's nonsense. I've never had a car that needed rear pad replacement at lesss than 50000 mi. No professionls I spoke with thought this was "normal" wear. This is made worse by the fact that, when the car was new, I had brought it in for correction of brake vibration. The dealer machined the rotors and the tech said he "didn't like the looks of the rear pads so he replaced them. " that's at 1500 mi. Which means the replacment set only lasted 16500 mi. The owner service guide only says to inspect front and rear brakes at 30000 mi. If I had waited to 30000 mi I would have had at least rotor failure and might have had brake seizure, causing accident/injury. Dealer contacted Ford motor CO rep who said it was normal wear and would not be covered under warranty. I personally replaced rear pads with after-market life-of-the-car-warranty premium-grade pads because I won't pay Ford for another set of fast-wearing pads. I kept the original pads for NHTSA inspection, if desired.
Consumer heard grinding sound from the rear & took vehicle to the dealer. Rotors, and brake shoes and pads were replaced. However, problem occurred again on 10-Aug-1999. It was taken to the same dealer, and he replaced alot of parts. As of 10-Apr-2000, vehicle is at the dealer's again. Dealer couldn't find cause of problem. Brakes are still locking up.
Spring clip for rear brake pads has snapped and disconnected during operation of vehicle twice. This problem has occurred with 17,000 and 19,000 miles on the vehicle. Dealership has been unable to effectively remedy the problem. Please provide any additional information / documentation.