Parking Brake Sticking, Now Clunking Sound and Ford Roadside on Speed Dial

[RockDaphne98296]

So I park the MME ( FE, AWD ER) in my garage, twice when I released the parking brake and gently applied the accelerator pedal, nothing happened, double check and yes parking brake is off, apply slightly more pressure to accelerator and "thunk!" The car moves. The first time the car was fine after that - no more symptoms. I have experienced this before when wet brakes sit and dry in the garage. Add on Covid and only going into the office twice a week...hmmm

Today was the second time and when we backed out it was making a rhythmic thunking sound like it had a flat tire as we pulled from the driveway. Needless to say, I went back into the driveway and I will call Ford to come get it in the morning.

Any ideas? Did I dislodge the parking brake?

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[JosephG53]

So I park the MME ( FE, AWD ER) in my garage, twice when I released the parking brake and gently applied the accelerator pedal, nothing happened, double check and yes parking brake is off, apply slightly more pressure to accelerator and "thunk!" The car moves. The first time the car was fine after that - no more symptoms. I have experienced this before when wet brakes sit and dry in the garage. Add on Covid and only going into the office twice a week...hmmm

Today was the second time and when we backed out it was making a rhythmic thunking sound like it had a flat tire as we pulled from the driveway. Needless to say, I went back into the driveway and I will call Ford to come get it in the morning.

Any ideas? Did I dislodge the parking brake?

Had the same issue the other day. Was the second time the brakes stuck after being parked. Both times was after driving in the rain and parked in garage overnight and parking brake was set. first time no thumping. Second time thumping. I pulled over on my street nd looked under car. Saw nothing. So I drove a few yards and gave the brakes a good press. Seemed to release whatever was stuck. No issues since.

 

[kdryden99]

So I park the MME ( FE, AWD ER) in my garage, twice when I released the parking brake and gently applied the accelerator pedal, nothing happened, double check and yes parking brake is off, apply slightly more pressure to accelerator and "thunk!" The car moves. The first time the car was fine after that - no more symptoms. I have experienced this before when wet brakes sit and dry in the garage. Add on Covid and only going into the office twice a week...hmmm

Today was the second time and when we backed out it was making a rhythmic thunking sound like it had a flat tire as we pulled from the driveway. Needless to say, I went back into the driveway and I will call Ford to come get it in the morning.

Any ideas? Did I dislodge the parking brake?

So the parking brake is supposed to come off in 2 ways, either by pushing the button or by taking off. From what you're explaining it sounds like it stuck and came off when you took off. The shoe could have came off if it really stuck to the disc causing that rythmic thumping. Definetely take it in.

 

[kdryden99]

I would also use this moment to explain that while using the parking brake is always necessary, in areas where it gets very hot and with the weight of this car, it might be good to let the car cool off a bit before putting the parking brake on and also to properly bed in the brakes since I dont think its done at the factory. The situation the OP explained could easily have been caused by overheated brakes, even though this sounds more like a production issue, since many are using 1pd driving do at least try to properly break them in to make sure they function when you need them most.

 

[shutterbug]

I would also use this moment to explain that while using the parking brake is always necessary, in areas where it gets very hot and with the weight of this car, it might be good to let the car cool off a bit before putting the parking brake on and also to properly bed in the brakes since I dont think its done at the factory. The situation the OP explained could easily have been caused by overheated brakes, even though this sounds more like a production issue, since many are using 1pd driving do at least try to properly break them in to make sure they function when you need them most.

So when I drive in the Arizona summer (at a balmy 110 degrees) I should wait for the car to cool off before applying parking break? That will take hours. Granted MME cost as much as some houses, but I'm not prepared to live in it.

 

[RockDaphne98296]

So the parking brake is supposed to come off in 2 ways, either by pushing the button or by taking off. From what you're explaining it sounds like it stuck and came off when you took off. The shoe could have came off if it really stuck to the disc causing that rythmic thumping. Definetely take it in.

Yup, calling the dealer in the morning.

Thanks for the reply ?

 

[kdryden99]

So when I drive in the Arizona summer (at a balmy 110 degrees) I should wait for the car to cool off before applying parking break? That will take hours. Granted MME cost as much as some houses, but I'm not prepared to live in it.

lol no just a few minutes. Those pads and disc get really hot especially in stop and go traffic because your drivetrain doesnt spin enough to cool them off. What happens is the disc is so hot that when you put the handbrake immediately after parking it fuses. Give it a minute or two just to reduce temp and then put it on. Its the reason im not a fan of the electric e-brake.
Again this sounds more like a production issue but its good pratice especially with brand new discs, pads, and shoes.

 

[Crilly]

If you are driving the car properly the brakes should never get hot. Regen. Why use parking brake in garage?

 

[Maric]

I had this happen once, and it was after I drove in the rain. Like the brake kind of froze in place. Has not happened since so I suspect it just happened due to being applied to wet pads and it 'stuck'.

Will be interested to see what Ford tells you. As long as it doesn't hurt the car it won't bug me.

 

[RockDaphne98296]

If you are driving the car properly the brakes should never get hot. Regen. Why use parking brake in garage?

As far as "driving the car properly", I am an avid 1 pedal drive convert, since I purchased the Mach E that is, so I literally haven't had to brake since about day two of owning the car :-D, I I live in the PacNW, Suburbs of the Seattle area, so mostly freeway driving and wet roads...

As far as the parking brake in the garage - habit is my only excuse, always have, back from the time when I drove a stick and it was good to keep the weight off the transmission, or at least that was what my Daddy taught me. That AND, I watched our little next door neighbor climb into Mommy's work van and pop the stick shift and it rolled across the street with him in it screaming... no one was hurt and it was funny later but that sticks with a person...

That being said I did not reset the brake last night and this morning all symptoms are gone - I am visiting the dealer this afternoon to pickup my rubber mats and have an appt to talk to the service manager.

 

[RockDaphne98296]

I had this happen once, and it was after I drove in the rain. Like the brake kind of froze in place. Has not happened since so I suspect it just happened due to being applied to wet pads and it 'stuck'.

Will be interested to see what Ford tells you. As long as it doesn't hurt the car it won't bug me.

I definitely think this is it - especially since the symptoms were gone this morning. I might have the dealer check the brake setting in any case...

 

[prdude]

As far as "driving the car properly", I am an avid 1 pedal drive convert, since I purchased the Mach E that is, so I literally haven't had to brake since about day two of owning the car :-D, I I live in the PacNW, Suburbs of the Seattle area, so mostly freeway driving and wet roads...

As far as the parking brake in the garage - habit is my only excuse, always have, back from the time when I drove a stick and it was good to keep the weight off the transmission, or at least that was what my Daddy taught me. That AND, I watched our little next door neighbor climb into Mommy's work van and pop the stick shift and it rolled across the street with him in it screaming... no one was hurt and it was funny later but that sticks with a person...

That being said I did not reset the brake last night and this morning all symptoms are gone - I am visiting the dealer this afternoon to pickup my rubber mats and have an appt to talk to the service manager.

I'm in your camp, in terms of being trained to always use the parking brake. In fact, I'm one of the few people I know who always sets the parking brake on cars with an auto trans; I even set the parking brake, before shifting into park, in order reduce stress on the parking pawl .... does the MME still have a parking pawl??

 

[Vecii]

Two year owner of a Model 3 here. The brakes sticking after being parked is normal in electric cars.

A car with an automatic transmission has a parking pawl that is engaged when the car is put into Park. Our electric cars don't have a transmission, so no parking pawl.

Instead, our cars use the normal brakes to hold the car when parked. Water on the brakes will make them stick a bit and make that popping noise when released.

 

[kdryden99]

Dont forget, if you don't use them they will seize so it's better to use them even when not necessary because the day you do need them, you want to make sure they work. The last thing you want to see is your car rolling down a hill or into your garage door.

 

[RockDaphne98296]

Dont forget, if you don't use them they will seize so it's better to use them even when not necessary because the day you do need them, you want to make sure they work. The last thing you want to see is your car rolling down a hill or into your garage door.

Agreed! Normally I would not fret over a little pop or thunk to remove the parking brakes, it was the thunk thunk as I drove down the street... But the symptoms went away and I spoke in general terms with the Dealership, I am making an appt for an inspection to make sure it isnt just flopping around in there ?

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