I have a 2001 new shape Mondeo 1.8LX, 24K miles. It's been a great car since I bought it 10 months ago, and the only thing I've added to it is Ghia alloys which I picked up with lightly used tyres for £250 - via Ford's test car breaking centre in Chelmsford.
Recently the car has developed a load squeak whenever I go on a long trip - I can only compare it to a mouse on a wheel! It appears to come from the front wheels and it is only apparent when I am going dead straight. It stops when I turn or there is a camber in the road. Its been very bad this week in all the heat.
My pads are fine, the discs are clean.
Anyone got any ideas??
Thanks
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I am now on my second new style mondeo.Had this on the 2001 version.
There is a known fault with the rear brake calipers sticking due to dust etc and the rear brake pads design has been changed as a result.(According to Ford).
Dealer replaced hand brake cable as well as they can sieze causing brakes to bind.
I note though that you think noise is coming from front but the symptoms are identical to those I experienced.
At one point wheel got so hot that the wheel trim buckled in the centre!.No damage to disks though.
Regards
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In addition-I would suggest checking your wheels/brakes after driving car as the wheel causing problem will be much hotter than the others.
Hope this helps
Regards
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My new shape 2001 model did this, it was the back brakes as
Cal g describes.
PP
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Mine too - virtually straight after picking it up in 2002 (handbrake mod carried out before delivery as well). Both rear wheel trims (LX) are distorted due to the heat the wheels used to get to.
At the first service I pointed this out to the chap at the service desk and asked him to check the brakes. It has been fine since. Didn't offer me new trims mind you
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Thanks.
I'm booked in for later this month - is this a warranty job??
The car is covered until May 2004 and when I rang the dealer they said they were not aware of the problem being 'known' - did your dealer say Ford were aware of issue?
Cheers
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I'm another 51 mondeo with intermittant back wheel squeak and wheel overheating. Does this need to be checked or can it safely be ignored.
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Cal G's dealer seemed to be aware of the problem but mine didn't let on if he was or not. I'd say it needs to be checked if your car isn't going in for a service in the near future.
I can't help thinking that it was co-incidental with the recall/adjustment of the handbrake which operates on the rear wheels. Perhaps an over enthusiastic fitter?
If you have an LX with plastic hub caps they'll distort
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My handbrake does pull up a hell of a long way when applying, if this something that is resolved in the adjustment too?
My pads are fine, 80% unused.
Thanks
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Steve - I'm not a mechanic but I don't think the handbrake should pull up too far. That is surely a sign that it needs adjusting and that the recall work hasn't been carried out yet?
I note from your original message that you have the LX - have you fitted bulbs under the dash yet to get the dimming footwell lights (as on the Ghia)?
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The footwell bulbs were there when I bought the car last year. I do plan to fit front fogs and a 6 cd stereo when I have time.
Any other tip on easy to fit extras??
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Fitted mudflaps to mine but it was nowhere near as easy as the instructions suggested...
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Steve, if you're thinking of fitting front fog lamps i suggest you read this thread I started last year.
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?v=i&t=71...#
It has details of all the bits you need and as you'll see it's not a cheap exercise as there is no kit available for new shapes.
Hope this helps.
PP
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I note from your original message that you have the LX- have you fitted bulbs under the dash yet to get the dimming footwell lights (as on the Ghia)?
I've got a 2002 LX - what's this about (dimming, even!!) footwell lights? Where are the fittings and what bulbs do you use?
Jeremy
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Jeremy,
This is courtesy of PeterPerfect:
**The footwell bulb holders are easily found if you kneel outside the car and position yourself in each front footwell looking upwards into the dash, you'll see the small bulb holders, they're quite obvious, there are no lenses etc., just the holder to push the 5W wedge bulb into. They are standard on the Zetec upwards as far as I know.**
HTH
GC
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Ok, found them - thanks very much. I didn't expect them to be there, so never looked.
Better go and have another look round the car and see what else I've missed . . .
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Sorry about delay replying but I work away during week.
This is a known fault as dealer (eventually) admitted.There is a combination of handbrake and sticking pad problems which cause brakes to bind overheating wheel.The handbrake recall does not seem to have helped either in my experience as done 100000 miles in previous mondeo with no problems at all apart from rear brakes, including after the recall.Many of my collegues have the same car and almost all have had the same problem. Not major I admit but very annoying.
Regards
PS Have a 2003 model with suspiciously squeeking rear brakes after 20000 miles!!!
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Thanks for al the feedback cal g.
The car is in the garage today so I'll update you on the outcome. The servoie staff were very reserved when I asked if the problem was a known one!!
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Did you need new rear brake pads? Mine did at the 25k service. I'm sure this was due to the handbrake recall at 13k and subsequent sticking on - rectified at the 25k service.
In retrosepect I should have pressed the dealer to pay for these pads and replace the melted rear wheel trims.
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Great news!
Cal g's verdict was spot on. The caliper was sticking on one when and affecting the disc/pads.
Dealer fitted new discs/pads/brake fluid all under warranty - saved around £400.
Dealer said Ford ok'd costs with no issues - it is a problem they know about but don't admit to.
Thanks All.
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