Brake Problem

[Mark G]

Greetings...2000 Dodge Caravan, 3.0 Ltr, 14 Inch Wheels, Non ABS Brake System.

Did a Brake Job on Front Disc and rear Drum brake system Replaced Pads, 1 Caliper, and both rotors in the front, and replaced shoes, and both drums in the rear, wheel cylinders were in good shape.

After completing, test drove vehicle, and had a bad pulsating feel in the brakes....really felt to be in the front. Mic'd the new rotors for hight spots and all was good. I bled the system again, and it helped the pulsating, but it is still very noticeable when braking hard. Again, it is not an ABS system...any thoughts what is giving me the pulsating problems?

Thanks as always for the advice!

Mark G

[idol]

Hello Mark,
Sounds like you did all the right things. Normally, a pulsating pedal is cause by a rotor that is out of round. It days past this occurred more often when a machinist would turn the rotor just a little out of tolerance. Today its cheaper and wiser to simply buy them new.
From the sounds of it, one of the rotors is just slightly mis-manufactured. I know you wrote that you Mic'd them but if you have replaced the pads, and the rotors, and you did not have the pulsating pedal before this work, then I'd be surprised if it wasn't one of the rotors.

The only other issue could be that you have a bad drum. Although out of round drums usually cause a vehicle lope or lurch. Again I see that you replaced them but the same thing applies as with a rotor. So may I suggest this:

If your pretty sure the rotors are both within tolerance, then take the drums to a machine shop or a brake shop and have the check each for true (roundness). Normally the sign of a bad , out of round drum is a vehicle lope as it slows down, and not necessarily a pulsating pedal. But I have seen drums the have caused a pedal to pulse.

Based on the parts you replaced, one of the two (drums or rotors) is bad, of this I can be sure...... Check them out and let us know what you find.......I hope this helps.....IDOL

[Mark G]

Thanks Idol for the advice...I will start by mic'ing the rotors and drums....I'll let you know!

MG