How do you unstick the brakes on a 1989 Mercury cougar?

Answer 1

For front brakes, making sure the car is safely on a jackstand and propped up, after removing the tire/wheel, determine if your pads are good, and closely inspect your rotors and calipers. If everthing seems ok, or even if they don't have a friend/spouse handy, turn the car to the on position, not necesarily starting it. Have them push the brake pedal, and closely watch the caliper, is it squeezing the pads against the rotor? If not, it's possible, the 2 pins in the caliper are dirty/grungy, and not allowing the caliper to compress. If this is the case remove the caliper from the rotor, the pins are the fasteners that secure the caliper, often a large allen or torx patterned bolt. Inspect the pins for pitting and rust, clean them throughly. If needed fine sandpaper can be used, just be careful not to scratch the pin up. After the inspection, and the bolts seem ok, coat them with a light film of white automotive lithium grease. Put the caliper back on the rotor, and have someone press the brake pedal again if they seem to compress then release you should be ok. Now for the rears, drum or disc? if disc braked repeat the same as the front. If drums, remove the drum and closely inspect it looking for signs of wear, replace the pads/shoes if necessary, and inspect the emergency brake cable tensioner for overtightness, or under tightness. Hmm almost forgot, there is a possibility you could have a rock wedged in the caliper somewhere not allowing it to release the pressure on the pads/rotor. Hope this helps.