Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Brakes Noise when I release the parking brake

I originally placed this in the Problems Forum a few days ago, but thought I might get a wider range of answers here.

I have a '98.5 SVT. When I leave the car parked overnight, I engage the parking brake and leave the car in gear. In the morning, I engage the clutch, start the engine, shift to neutral, and let it warm up for 15-30 seconds. Then I shift to either 1st or reverse, disengage the parking brake, and release the clutch.

When I do this, there is a very short (less than .5 seconds) but god-awful sound, kind of like a cross between a groaning, grinding and thumping noise from the rear wheels when the car begins to move from a stopped position.

My impression is that it seems to happen if the car has been sitting for more than about 12 hours or so. This noise also appears to be much more likely to happen in the morning - as opposed to, say, when I've parked the car at work during the day.

I've seen in the FAQ's that this might be the ABS system performing a diagnostic - is this how it manifests itself?

Answers are appreciated. Many thanks.

I believe the noise is your back caliper sticking.

My SVT does it too. I don't know exactly how to fix it. I was thinking of taking the back wheel off, and making sure the caliper sliders were greased, and making sure the return spring is not messed.

Any help would be appreciated on my end also...

Patrick

Mine does it all the time....

My SVT does the same.

It is the back caliper sticking. It will cause premature rear brake pad failure. I just went thru this. New parking brake cables and new pads. Total cost $100 at 77.5k miles. Jack up the rear and spin the tire and see that it drags. The e-brake isn't letting loose of the rear brakes fully. So the brakes are STILL ON! Acceleration sure has improved!

i think this was the cause of my drivers rear pad falling apart when i took the caliper off.........still going strong though on half a pad..

The best way to is to replace the calpier cause the piston is sticking to a walls, but its not a cheap fix either.
It will only get worse down the road