If you have previously registered, but forgotten your password, click here.

T O P I C     R E V I E W
BradleyG	Bought my PT Cruiser new almost 11 years ago. Now 160,000 miles later and it is still going good. BUT.. I have a brake issue. My right front caliper drags slightly and I have to replace pads at 20k miles and the rotor every other time (I bought the lifetime parts, so it doesn't cost me except a little time). What can be the cause? I have replaced the caliper and there does not seem to be any binding except the pads drag ever so slightly. Ceramic pads, but dusting the wheel with most likely rotor dust. Not even enough to make the wheel too hot to touch. How important is it to flush the brake fluid? I have not done that and never thought of it until a shop wanted to flush my daughters brake fluid. I thought he was trying to rip her off. Any thought are appreciated. Thanks... Brad
beachcat	Brad, I know 11 year old brake fluid can be pretty nasty. Just did a flush on my cat and the tech said it was bad ad he had to get creative to get it all out. Brake fluid absorbs moisture from the air. I don't think that would be your drag problem though.
alrtg	When you replaced the calipers......Did you replace the rubber brake hoses too? The rubber brake hoses deteriorate from the inside, out. While they may look perfect from the outside, they could be collapsing during braking and causing the calipers to stick.
catfish	the cause is the brake caliper,hope you used a quality brand.the calipers are sticking.along time ago caliper pistons used to be metal.not anymore,they are plastic.did you buy new calipers or remans.mopar calipers suck,they have had a sticking problemm forever.my first ram truck had the same problem and that was 35 yrs ago.you think after all those yrs they would fix the problem,not so.every once in a while my cat frts will also stick.sounds like yours are stuck almost all the time change brands,may or may not help.was going to change mine to brembo,till i found out the cost.no way.about 6 mos. ago replace the frts on my ram truck with new napas,not remans,and everyonce in a while when backing up they will stick.you can tell when its a intermittent problem,cause when the piston lets loose you will hear a click sound from the caliper.i believe its a clearence problem between piston and caliper housing itself.on my old 77 dodge van the rt. frt. was so bad,it would get so hot,it would cause a vibration in the rt. frt,and the rotor would get extremely hot,it would wobble.every mopar ive owned had that problem,some severe some not so much.sometimes its one side or the other that sticks that if its just one ,when stopping it will pull the steering wheel to that side.chrysler brakes suck. ------------------ This message has been edited by catfish on 07-31-2012 at 10:17 PM
TFischer	Brad we had the same problem on my mom's Olds that Ken drives to work. I replaced the calipers, put new slotted rotors on it and flushed the system. That cured the problem. I'm with Andria. You may want to replace the hoses. I didn't do that and if it comes back, I will definitely do that, good point Andria. Thanks, T
adacus	Change the hoses. Here is what happens. Old mechanic trick was to use a pair of vise grips to "PINCH" the hose portion of the brake line. This was done to keep from having to bleed the brakes. When you pinch the hose, it damages the inner lining of the hose and causes a blockage. When you step on the brake there is enough hydraulic pressure to get passed the damage portion of the hose, but when you release the brake there is NOT enough pressure to return the fluid past the blockage. Hence, you always have hydraulic pressure against the caliper. Change the hose, it should fix your issue.
catfish	let us know the real problem. ------------------
padroo	Always change the hoses when you change calipers on old cars. I have experienced the bad hose myself and it will save you a lot of grief. It isn't a bad idea for safety either. If you have never experience brake fade you will never forget it especially when you are passing a stop sign and still aren't stopped. That is why they make that pedal so wide, so you can put both feet on it. I know from experience. This message has been edited by padroo on 08-04-2012 at 02:53 PM