2002 Continental Brake Problem

Recently brakes began to feel as if they weren't releasing immediately after application. Sometimes they continue to drag for an extended period with a stiffer/higher pedal feel. Replaced pads and rotors, caliper hardware, lubed slides, made sure caliper pistons not seizing, calipers floating normally. Bled all 4 wheels, problem not an internally collapsed brake line. Seems to be all 4 wheels. Any ideas?
 

tixer

Lincoln Evangelist
This sounds very similar to the problem an old girlfriend had on her 1992 Crown Victoria. The brake booster had failed, and the pedal would "stick down" upon application. She discovered she could pull the pedal back up with her foot, and the brakes released. She drove it this way for a lot longer than I care to confess.. :D
 
The pedal action feels normal. Returns to the stop immediately when released (stop lights go out, etc). The only time the pedal feels different is when the brakes decide to stay applied for an extended period - then the pedal feels firmer than usual with less travel, but still returns to the stop. Usually, though, when the pedal is released it returns normally to the stop, but it takes 3-5 seconds for the calipers to release. Thanks for your input. Really scratching my head.
 

driller

El Presidente
This sounds very similar to the problem an old girlfriend had on her 1992 Crown Victoria. The brake booster had failed, and the pedal would "stick down" upon application. She discovered she could pull the pedal back up with her foot, and the brakes released. She drove it this way for a lot longer than I care to confess.. :D
Which is why I asked if the pedal returned normally.

The pedal action feels normal. Returns to the stop immediately when released (stop lights go out, etc). The only time the pedal feels different is when the brakes decide to stay applied for an extended period - then the pedal feels firmer than usual with less travel, but still returns to the stop. Usually, though, when the pedal is released it returns normally to the stop, but it takes 3-5 seconds for the calipers to release. Thanks for your input. Really scratching my head.
If you "pump the brakes" the pedal will feel firmer because the brake fluid pressure is not fully released. Something in your brake hydraulic circuit is not releasing the pressure properly (of course you know that), and that is why the pedal feels firmer. It could be a sticking piston in the master cylinder or a broken bias spring which returns the piston to the normal position.

I suspect the master cylinder could cause this. To diagnose the problem, I would put the car on a lift or jackstands and with the help of an assistant, roll the wheels and apply the brake. Release the brake while still trying to roll the wheels (one at a time). Try to determine if all four wheels are acting the same or if one or a pair of wheels are different from the others.

If it is all four wheels, it is almost certainly the master cylinder.

If it is one wheel, I would suspect a brake line or caliper piston.

If it is a pair of wheels, it could be the master cylinder or a proportioning valve or related lines.
 
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