Just bought an 04' LS v8, parking brake light is on?? other questions too>>>>

[Daddycaddy]

Last week I purchased a very clean and well maintained 2004 LS v8 sport with 64k miles. I have an issue and a few questions for you guys on here.

1. The "service parking brake" message is popping up in the message center periodically since the day after I purchased the car. I scanned the obd-2 computer and came up with code U1262 SCP DATA FAULT FOR J1850 BUS, which has something to do with a loss of communication between the PCM and the Electronic Parking Brake Control Module. Is this a common problem on these? Ive heard their may be a TSB on this issue. Any ideas on what to replace?

2. Mild vibration at speeds above 60 MPH. On the highway I feel too much of the road in the steering wheel. I checked the steering for play, and jacked up the front end to see if the hubs were tight, and they were. The car has brand new Cooper CS4 tires. Any ideas?

3. The rear brakes need to be replaced. Are these the same as any 4 wheel disc setup to replace? Ive heard a special tool is needed to remove the rear caliper?

The car is really really nice and clean. I just want to get these issues cleared up.

 

[loomis22]

3. The rear brakes need to be replaced. Are these the same as any 4 wheel disc setup to replace? Ive heard a special tool is needed to remove the rear caliper?

To compress the pistons you will need a tool. They spin to compress unlike the front ones which just press in. Autozone has the tool you can rent, like $50 and then you get your cash back when you bring it back. I just kept the tool for future use. There is also a crappy plastic tool that is pretty much only good for one use for really cheap but I don't personally recommend it.

 

[Kumba]

2. Mild vibration at speeds above 60 MPH. On the highway I feel too much of the road in the steering wheel. I checked the steering for play, and jacked up the front end to see if the hubs were tight, and they were. The car has brand new Cooper CS4 tires. Any ideas?

Do you feel the vibration in only the steering wheel or through the seat too? I'd check the alignment and see about getting the tires balanced on a road-force machine if they weren't already. Then go through the front suspension and check the tie rods, sway bar end links, bushings, ball joints, etc.

If all of the above looks ok, then the next thing I would check is the rear: Toe Link aka Lateral bar aka Tie Rod. It's the tie-rod that connect to the rear center of the knuckle. These move by design allowing for a passive steering setup. It seems they are also prone to breaking down. The end result is something similar to when a front tie-rod goes bad. These are bad on mine and pretty sure that's my source of vibration. My car also felt like it was sometimes dogtracking coming out of a turn if you are in the gas or if you stomped the gas and left off.

You check them the same way you do a front tie rod. Pop the tire off, and see if the knuckle moves in and out by hand. If they move they need replaced. Mine had noticeable movement I'm guessing in the 1/8 ballpark. The bad part is if you need them they are on back order till who knows when. The rear sway bar end links were also bad on mine so you might want to check those out too while you are in there. I replaced mine with Moog links which were an upgrade over the stock ones.

I'll have an answer Tuesday after I get an alignment done if the above two things fixed my issues. My original thread is here if you want to read up on my symptoms and those that some others had: http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com/showthread.php?t=75683&highlight=lateral

 

[Kumba]

There is also a crappy plastic tool that is pretty much only good for one use for really cheap but I don't personally recommend it.

That tool is a right of passage. Everyone has used it once. And only once I would hope

 

[Daddycaddy]

Do you feel the vibration in only the steering wheel or through the seat too? I'd check the alignment and see about getting the tires balanced on a road-force machine if they weren't already. Then go through the front suspension and check the tie rods, sway bar end links, bushings, ball joints, etc.

If all of the above looks ok, then the next thing I would check is the rear: Toe Link aka Lateral bar aka Tie Rod. It's the tie-rod that connect to the rear center of the knuckle. These move by design allowing for a passive steering setup. It seems they are also prone to breaking down. The end result is something similar to when a front tie-rod goes bad. These are bad on mine and pretty sure that's my source of vibration. My car also felt like it was sometimes dogtracking coming out of a turn if you are in the gas or if you stomped the gas and left off.

You check them the same way you do a front tie rod. Pop the tire off, and see if the knuckle moves in and out by hand. If they move they need replaced. Mine had noticeable movement I'm guessing in the 1/8 ballpark. The bad part is if you need them they are on back order till who knows when. The rear sway bar end links were also bad on mine so you might want to check those out too while you are in there. I replaced mine with Moog links which were an upgrade over the stock ones.

I'll have an answer Tuesday after I get an alignment done if the above two things fixed my issues. My original thread is here if you want to read up on my symptoms and those that some others had: http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com/showthread.php?t=75683&highlight=lateral

Thanks Kumba. I feel the vibration pretty much in the steering wheel and it is noticeable when I hit the 55-60+ mph mark on the highway. It's not terrible (like my Tahoe) but I want it to be tight with no play. I checked the ball joints on the control arm, and they are not greasable which stinks. On my Tahoe I can grease them up, but these are sealed. They do appear to be dry (no grease left inside, because when I press the boot there is no cushion of grease.) I'll have to check the tierods a bit better, but I might as well bring it to the front end shop over here to check it out themselves.

What I really need help with is the parking brake situation. I cant seem to figure that one out..............

 

[loomis22]

What I really need help with is the parking brake situation. I cant seem to figure that one out..............

Check brake fluid level. My light came on when my fluid level was low due to my e-brake pissing fluid every time I used it, had to replace the line and the rear caliper by the time I realized that was the issue (replaced both rears so they were even).