Other Brake Conditions
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2016 Dodge Journey and 2015 Dodge Journey. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
| CONDITION | POSSIBLE CAUSES | CORRECTION |
|---|---|---|
| BRAKES CHATTER | 1. Disc brake rotor has excessive thickness variation. | 1. Isolate condition as rear or front. Reface or replace brake 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. Binding master cylinder. | 3. Replace master cylinder. | |
| 4. Binding brake pedal. | 4. Replace brake pedal. | |
| 5. Brake lamp switch not adjusted properly and mounting bracket is bent. | 5. Straighten mounting bracket and replace brake lamp switch. | |
| 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. Rear disc brake parking brake not properly adjusted. | 3. Adjust parking brake shoes. | |
| BRAKES GRAB | 1. Contaminated brake shoe linings. | 1. Inspect and clean, or replace shoes. Repair source of contamination. |
| 2. Improper power brake booster assist. | 2. Refer to power brake booster DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING . | |
| EXCESSIVE PEDAL EFFORT | 1. Obstruction of brake pedal. | 1. Inspect, remove or move obstruction. |
| 2. Low power brake booster assist (vacuum leak). | 2. Refer to power brake booster DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING . | |
| 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 TRAVEL (VEHICLE STOPS OK) | 1. Air in brake lines. | 1. Bleed brakes. |
| EXCESSIVE PEDAL TRAVEL (ONE FRONT WHEEL LOCKS UP DURING HARD BRAKING) | 1. One of the two hydraulic circuits to the front brakes is malfunctioning. | 1. Inspect system for leaks. Check master cylinder for internal malfunction. |
| PEDAL PULSATES/SURGES DURING BRAKING | 1. Disc brake rotor has excessive thickness variation. | 1. Isolate condition as rear or front. Reface or replace brake rotors as necessary. |
| PEDAL IS SPONGY | 1. Air in brake lines. | 1. Bleed brakes. |
| 2. Power brake booster runout (vacuum assist). | 2. Check booster vacuum hose and engine tune for adequate vacuum supply. Refer to power brake booster DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING . | |
| PREMATURE WHEEL LOCKUP | 1. Contaminated brake shoe linings. | 1. Inspect and clean, or replace shoes. Repair source of contamination. |
| 2. Antilock brake system function issue. | 2. Refer to appropriate antilock brake diagnostic information. | |
| STOP/BRAKE LAMPS STAY ON | 1. Brake lamp switch out of adjustment. | 1. Replace brake lamp switch. |
| 2. Brake pedal binding. | 2. Inspect and replace as necessary. | |
| 3. Obstruction in pedal linkage. | 3. Remove obstruction. | |
| 4. Power brake booster not allowing pedal to return completely. | 4. 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. | 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 the appropriate Suspension article. | |
| PARKING BRAKE - EXCESSIVE LEVER TRAVEL | 1. Broke cable. | 1. Replace broken cable. |
| 2. Binding cable. | 2. Replace binding cable. | |
| 3. Damaged lever at rear brake caliper. | 3. Replace rear brake caliper. | |
| 4. Binding/frozen rear brake caliper piston. | 4. Replace rear brake caliper. |