99 Contour; read drums singing
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 942
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From: South Texas
99 Contour; read drums singing
I have a 99 Contour Sport that has had a problem with the rear drum brakes singing. This has been ongoing since the vehicle was purchased new. Had Ford work on it several times umder warranty, and after that, I replaced the shoes myself. Nothing seems to work for very long. Once the inner surfaces polish up from wear, the brakes sing like a ringing bell.
Does anyone have any ideas how to stop this? Would replacing the brake drums offer any relief?
As a side note, the design of the adjusters on this thing defy imagination. Whoever designed it must have been out of their mind. The bottom of the shoes are anchored on the stops and they adjust on the top side near the wheel cylinder. Really a poor design if you ask me, as the shoes can never fully contact the inner drum surface. I think this is the reason for the singing, but not sure.
Short of replacing the rears with discs off an SVT, what else an I missing?
Does anyone have any ideas how to stop this? Would replacing the brake drums offer any relief?
As a side note, the design of the adjusters on this thing defy imagination. Whoever designed it must have been out of their mind. The bottom of the shoes are anchored on the stops and they adjust on the top side near the wheel cylinder. Really a poor design if you ask me, as the shoes can never fully contact the inner drum surface. I think this is the reason for the singing, but not sure.
Short of replacing the rears with discs off an SVT, what else an I missing?
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
Likes: 22
From: The Big, Oregon
I have had good luck with new shoes coated with Torpedo brake quieting compound, as well as using anti-seize on the wear contact points between the shoe and backing plate.
These cars are also known to make brake noise if the car has aftermarket rims.
These cars are also known to make brake noise if the car has aftermarket rims.
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 942
Likes: 0
From: South Texas
Did a Google search on Torpedo etc, ect and got nothing useful. I assume it is a brand name product?
Can you elaborate more on where to locate.
I found some stuff that is sprayed onto the rotor/drum surface that is supposed to stop the squeaking, but looks like that would wear off pretty fast.
Thanks
Can you elaborate more on where to locate.
I found some stuff that is sprayed onto the rotor/drum surface that is supposed to stop the squeaking, but looks like that would wear off pretty fast.
Thanks
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,682
Likes: 12
From: Saskatoon SK Canada
I never had this problem on my 99 Mercury Mystique Sport. The brake design you are referring to is a leading trailing. Lots of vehicles have this design since it works the best with ABS brakes. When I worn out the rear brakes on my car, I just went to rear discs. It has a better brake feel now.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
Likes: 22
From: The Big, Oregon
Yeah, torpedo is a brand name. I got the stuff in CT years back, I thought it was still available, but might not be.
It's this greyish compound that you paint onto the friction surface, and it fills in the little pits that collect dust. This tends to last pretty decently, I have never had a problem with noise coming back after installing new pads or shoes with this stuff.
On edit- Part number S-007 at napaonline.com, looks to be the same thing.
It's this greyish compound that you paint onto the friction surface, and it fills in the little pits that collect dust. This tends to last pretty decently, I have never had a problem with noise coming back after installing new pads or shoes with this stuff.
On edit- Part number S-007 at napaonline.com, looks to be the same thing.
Last edited by Ford_Six; Mar 13, 2007 at 12:33 AM.
