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Sounds like you are on the right track. If you have any suspect caliper issues, you have to start there. You may have one hanging up internally, and/or the rubber line is deteriorated internally. When this happens, the caliper never really releases, it drags, and could explain the drift.
Hi. I do not have the answer per say – just a suggestion. It appears that you have already been through the brake system. If this is the case, you are fairly certain the calipers are correct, the caliper hardware is correct, and there is no air in the system – I would look at the front end suspension. Your wheel is moving, the car is veering to the side with the brakes applied. Logically this tells me the brakes are grabbing and changing the trajectory of the front end. Ball joints, tie rod ends, broken or out of position coil spring, sticking shock – etc. I have also seen bad body mounts pull GM cars, and once a bad engine mount – weight shift – made some weird stuff happen while on the road. So, maybe it is not the brakes causing the change in the rain..
Your right, everything I have read so far leads me to that. But I cant find it. The biggest problem is the way they are all routed. On this engine, they start on the drivers side valve cover, and then run all around the back of the engine, down under the intake manifold and then out the other side. Tomorrow I may try to plug each line where they come out and put the vacuum pump on them, maybe this will reveal that there is a crack in a vacuum tube that I missed. Beside pulling the intake off, I don’t see any easier way to do it. Visually, they look good. Nothing obviously broken or disconnected. They pass the carb cleaner check too.
Those two solenoids I mentioned are the TAB and TAD for the thermactor system. They both hold a vacuum until energized, then release it. So, they appear to be working. I also checked the EGR control valve and this appears to work as designed.
It would seem to me that if you are pretty certain that the coolant issue is handled, I would look towards the vents in the dash for sure. I don’t know anything about Renault’s – but on a Lincoln, the mixing doors fail all the time. Usually a bad motor – or a vacuum leak to the motor control. Can you get heat from another configuration – like defrost? Is there a difference at all when you move between full hot and full cold on the settings?
I drove it home from the auction and it seemed like the engine was screaming. I automatically assumed the overdrive was not working. It has the OD button on the stalk. Well, it turns out it has the button, but no OD. Looking at the VIN number this one is a straight six, with a standard C6 transmission and stock 4.10 gears. So, yeah it is not a highway cruiser. I didn’t mention this – it also has a working hydraulic lift on the tailgate. It is rusted over, but it still goes up and down. It is a workhorse, just not a cruiser.
All of that SUCKS. I have been there, and it is no fun. As far as Firestone, personally, I think your wasting your time. You can hire a lawyer and go after them, you may be successful, you may not be. All of the time and effort for a possible outcome – nothing confirmed may not be worth it. I would file a BBB complaint against them, maybe continue to call them and rattle the cage to raise awareness, but I don’t think you will ever be satisfied. I have never seen one of these places do what is needed to restore faith with the customer.
I would get the car to a mechanic you can TRUST without a doubt, and get an honest approximation of what is going on. At least then you can make an educated decision. Look at reviews, talk to other people. You can find somebody to at least give you some facts to work with.
Good luck.. Sorry to hear this went so wrong.
My Fleet:
1983 Chevy K-10 4WD pickup. 6 inch lift, 4.11 gears, 350 with goodies. This was supposed to be my toy, but has primarily been used for working around the houses. However, now it has a random “Tick” in the drivetrain. Probably time for transfer case work. So I don’t drive it much at all. I don’t have any expertise with transfer case work, and I do not have the funds to rip it out and take it in for a rebuild. It can wait.
2012 Honda Odyssey – This is for the wife. Looks just like Eric’s. We use for road trips with the kids, trips home, etc.. Been very good to us. Almost 80K on it with no major maintenance needed. I changed brakes, tires, and the battery. That’s about it. We are trying not to drive it to keep the miles down. The wife has another toy to slog to work and back every day.
1998 Jeep Wrangler – This would be the wife’s toy. And another good one. It ran like garbage when she picked it up. And it sounded like it had an exhaust leak. Crawling all over it, and doing some research, I discovered it had the standard cracked exhaust manifold. E-bay is awesome, and I buy the majority of my parts on line. New exhaust manifold, and since I had to pretty much take the intake off to get to the exhaust bolts I did some work there too. (Straight six engine with 130K). Took the intake down to the machine shop and had it dipped and blasted. Added a little paint. Replaced the injectors. Added a throttle body spacer. Completed the new exhaust manifold with a cat back Magnaflow kit. It runs like new, and pulls like it should. Very reliable machine, and for days like today – gets her to work in the ice. I just saw the shocks are leaking, so I have a new set on the way. Time for front brakes too, and the rotors are scarred, so they are coming as well. New slotted and drilled rotors with ceramic pads for 50 bucks? Yup, I ordered a set.
1985 Jaguar – I was looking for a beater, something to keep the miles off my daily driver. However, the wife saw this – remembered that she went to the prom in one – and it became a “Gift”. I know nothing about Jaguars, but I am learning. Picked it up very cheap as it was not running. I got it back to the garage, and dropped the oil plug to find white/yellow oil. Apparently the head gasket failed at some point and the previous owner just parked it. The engine is locked up solid. So, it has been in the garage for a couple of years now. I have overhauled the rear end, front end, gas tanks, but the money and time ran out. I have a used engine, I am just biding my time and funds to drop it in. Maybe this summer? I don’t know, I said that last summer too.
2013 Durango – I was driving a Jeep Commander. Loved it. Good truck, great for the kids, enough room for me, and the six cylinder was “Forgiving” on the gas bill. I took it into Dodge for a oil change – I had a coupon for 19.99 and a free tire rotation. Had the work done, and left the dealer to have the tire fall off in the lot. They did not tighten any of the lugs. The Jeep came down on the axle, the tire never left the wheel – at first – and took out the fender which pushed into the driver door. Get this – the “Tech” did the same thing to a lady earlier in the day. The dealer told him he was fired, but could finish the day. He got me right after. Long story short, I ended up with a great deal on the Durango. Sweet looking ride. It is NOT an R/T, but looks like one. Very happy with this truck. On a road trip the six cylinder will average 24/mpg. Third row seats for the kids when needed, and it folds down for grabbing parts for all the others when needed. No complaints.
1989 Cadillac Fleetwood – My parents are on a fixed income and cannot afford auto repairs. I am not an official “Auto Mech” but I know which way the wrench is supposed to go on. This was my grandfathers car, and he passed it on to my mother when he passed. She will not ever consider “moving on” to another vehicle as long as this one runs… So, no matter what – I work on it when I need to. She does not drive much any more, and if she does – it is never far. It is not pretty at this point, with over 200K on it. But it still runs. At this time I am looking for a brake accumulator for the system. Not easy to find in a decent price range for a 1989 – but I found one and I should have it any day now. As long as it fits – I should be able to get the brake pedal feel back to where it should be. Otherwise – it runs.
2003 Lincoln Towncar – I talked my old man into leaving Cadillac’s and moving over to the Lincoln. After dealing with the dreaded Northstar head gasket failures, I was very irritated with this entire driveline. Working on this car was hell. Zero room anywhere under the hood. I do not have a lift, and I have a Jag with permanent residence in the garage. Working in the driveway on the Caddy was no fun. When the head went, he agreed. My thought was that since the Lincolns are near the same as “Service Vehicles” I should be able to get parts pretty cheap. Plus it is rear wheel drive – I thought that would be so much easier. After this last job – changing both valve cover gaskets – I realize I cant win. Pull the wipers off to get the drivers side off? Pull the motor mount – or – remove the A/C evaporator for the other? Not really hard work per say – just a lot of it. I survived, it is done, and it works. The car runs well, and he has grown to like it, so overall it is a win. Honestly, after driving it some – I like it.
1992 F-250 – Picked this one up at an auction for 150 bucks. This may replace my Chevy until I can get some transfer case work done. For now, it is sitting out back. the exhaust is shot, the passenger tire shows cord, and it idles rough. (Ford straight six) But it runs. When it warms up, I will get to know it better.
Essentially my part time job is auto maintenance. The Honda, and Durango do not need much at this time. Everything else requires attention. I don’t mind the routine stuff. But when I get into the weeds on something I have little access to, and/or no experience with – it can get stressful. Between all of us, somebody always has a ride to work that’s for sure.
Forums rule. I learn 90% of what I need to know from good people that share knowledge. I really appreciate it!
