Other Brake Conditions

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

CONDITION	POSSIBLE CAUSES	CORRECTION
BRAKES CHATTER	1. Rear brake drum out of round or disc brake rotor has excessive thickness variation.	1. Isolate condition as rear or front. Reface or replace brake drums or rotors as necessary.
BRAKES DRAG (FRONT OR ALL)	1. Contaminated brake fluid.	1. Check for swollen seals. Replace all system components containing rubber.
	2. Binding caliper pins or bushings.	2. Replace pins and bushings
	3. Misadjusted brake lamp switch.	3. Replace brake lamp switch. Refer to REMOVAL .
	4. Master cylinder not fully returning.	4. Inspect master cylinder and replace as necessary.
	5. Binding brake pedal.	5. Replace brake pedal/bushings.
BRAKES DRAG (REAR ONLY)	1. Parking brake cables binding or froze up.	1. Check cable routing. Replace cables as necessary.
	2. Parking brake cable return spring not returning shoes.	2. Replace cables as necessary.
	3. Service brakes not adjusted properly (rear drum brakes only).	3. Adjust rear brake shoes. Refer to SHOE AND LININGS-REAR DRUM BRAKE .
	4. Obstruction inside the center console preventing full return of the parking brake cables.	4. Remove console and remove obstruction.
BRAKES GRAB	1. Contaminated brake shoe linings.	1. Inspect and clean or replace shoes. Repair source of contamination.
BRAKES GRAB	2. Improper power brake booster assist.	2. Refer to BOOSTER-POWER BRAKE .
EXCESSIVE PEDAL EFFORT	1. Obstruction of brake pedal.	1. Inspect, remove or move obstruction.
	2. Low power brake booster assist.	2. Refer to BOOSTER-POWER BRAKE .
	3. Glazed brake linings.	3. Reface or replace brake rotors as necessary. Replace brake shoes.
	4. Brake shoe lining transfer to brake rotor.	4. Reface or replace brake rotors as necessary. Replace brake shoes.
EXCESSIVE PEDAL EFFORT (HARD PEDAL - CAN'T SKID WHEELS)	1. Power brake booster runout (vacuum assist).	1. Check booster vacuum hose and engine tune for adequate vacuum supply. Refer to BOOSTER-POWER BRAKE .
EXCESSIVE PEDAL TRAVEL (VEHICLE STOPS OK)	1. Air in brake lines.	1. Bleed brakes.
EXCESSIVE PEDAL TRAVEL (VEHICLE STOPS OK)	2. Rear drum brake auto-adjuster malfunctioning.	2. Inspect and replace drum brake components as necessary. Adjust rear brakes.
EXCESSIVE PEDAL TRAVEL (ONE FRONT WHEEL LOCKS UP DURING HARD BRAKING)	1. One of the two hydraulic circuits is malfunctioning.	1. Inspect system for leaks. Check master cylinder for internal malfunction.
PEDAL PULSATES/SURGES DURING BRAKING	1. Rear brake drum out of round or disc brake rotor has excessive thickness variation.	1. Isolate condition as rear or front. Reface or replace brake drums or rotors as necessary.
PEDAL IS SPONGY	1. Air in brake lines.	1. Bleed brakes.
PREMATURE REAR WHEEL LOCKUP	1. Contaminated brake shoe linings.	1. Inspect and clean or replace shoes. Repair source of contamination.
	2. Inoperative proportioning valve (non-ABS vehicles only).	2. Test proportioning valves following diagnosis and testing procedure. Refer to VALVE-PROPORTIONING . Replace valves as necessary.
	3. ABS EVBP not functioning.	3. Refer to ABS - ELECTRICAL DIAGNOSTICS .
STOP LAMPS STAY ON	1. Brake lamp switch out of adjustment.	1. Replace brake lamp switch. Refer to REMOVAL .
	2. Brake pedal binding.	2. Inspect and replace as necessary.
	3. Power brake booster not allowing pedal to return completely.	3. Replace power brake booster.
VEHICLE PULLS TO RIGHT OR LEFT ON BRAKING	1. Frozen brake caliper piston.	1. Replace frozen piston or caliper. Bleed brakes.
	2. Contaminated brake shoe lining (most likely front lining).	2. Inspect and clean or replace shoes. Repair source of contamination.
	3. Pinched brake lines.	3. Replace pinched line.
	4. Leaking piston seal.	4. Replace piston seal or brake caliper.
	5. Suspension problem.	5. Refer to SUSPENSION .
PARKING BRAKE - EXCESSIVE HANDLE TRAVEL	1. Rear brakes out of adjustment.	1. Adjust rear drum brake shoes or rear parking brake shoes on vehicles with rear disc brakes.