Bizarre braking problem!
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Chicago, Il & Courthouse Bay, NC
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.slow
This is really weird. My brakes work fine 99% of the time, but when I parallel park or cut my wheels hard in any direction, 3 point turns, etc. I lose 98% of my braking. The pedal will go flat to the floor! A terrifying experience the first couple of times...but now that I expect it, I pump my brakes and they work fine again. I have no leaks in my system, no fluid loss and no vacuum leak. I replaced the check valve on the booster to no avail. I ordered a new booster and master cylinder yesterday, but if that isn't it, what can it be? Has this ever happened to anyone or have you heard of it?? As I said, only happens if I turn wheels to the stop or 3 point turns, never going straight or making regular turns at intersections. Any help, greatly appreciated!
CF Veteran
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,117
Likes: 3
From: Ohio
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 stock
Are you losing brake fluid? Do you have a lift? Straining soft lines can cause them to leak and fail in the strangest ways. Or maybe a soft line is getting pinched.
You could get a friend to cut the wheel and press the brake petal while you look under the car for jets of brake fluid or pinched lines.
You could get a friend to cut the wheel and press the brake petal while you look under the car for jets of brake fluid or pinched lines.
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 47,923
Likes: 38
From: Broward County Fl.
Year: 1989 xj sport 2dr
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 12 hole bosch Injectors
make sure you can return the booster when boosters fail the brake pedal get hard as a rock so this will not be the issue brake lines will only affect the brake its related to mains suspect would be master cyl bypassing internally
Seasoned Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 448
Likes: 0
From: Charleston, SC
Year: 1990 - 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Wierd, Two posibilities I came up with:
1) Could be the gap between the rotors and the pads is getting wider when you cut the wheel hard. Check If the whel bearings are good and all the caliper brackets tight.
2) You could have a hose with failed braiding that is made worse by turning the wheel hard. It would bulge up like a frogs throat without leaking.
Jack up your Jeep by the front axle, pull the two front wheels, and do a brake test with the wheel cut hard. You may have to wrap your hand around the flex lines to feel if they are swelling. Check to see if any of the components from point 1) are loose.
Good Luck!
1) Could be the gap between the rotors and the pads is getting wider when you cut the wheel hard. Check If the whel bearings are good and all the caliper brackets tight.
2) You could have a hose with failed braiding that is made worse by turning the wheel hard. It would bulge up like a frogs throat without leaking.
Jack up your Jeep by the front axle, pull the two front wheels, and do a brake test with the wheel cut hard. You may have to wrap your hand around the flex lines to feel if they are swelling. Check to see if any of the components from point 1) are loose.
Good Luck!
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Chicago, Il & Courthouse Bay, NC
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.slow
Thanks to all of the replies, I'll be having surgery in the morning so this is on the back burner til late next week earliest. I just need to get the wiring fixed first by tomorrow lol so my daughter can drive me there without incident. As for the brakes, weve both had combat driving in OIF/OEF so she should be fine! I'll post up soon on the brakes...
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Seasoned Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 448
Likes: 0
From: Charleston, SC
Year: 1990 - 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Thanks to all of the replies, I'll be having surgery in the morning so this is on the back burner til late next week earliest. I just need to get the wiring fixed first by tomorrow lol so my daughter can drive me there without incident. As for the brakes, weve both had combat driving in OIF/OEF so she should be fine! I'll post up soon on the brakes...
PM me here (I am occasionally on) or contact me @ notop46@yahoo.com or david.halbig@us.bosch.com if you do not find the problem.
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