At my wits end with Brake, ABS Issues
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At my wits end with Brake, ABS Issues
I first like to say I'm impressed with the help given here from reading a lot of the topics, however I'm at my wits ends, so is my wallet on getting my Durango going again. I love my SUV, but hubby wants to get me a different brand of SUV if I don't get me baby fixed soon. I do 90 % of my own work by learning so if I don;t use the right terms, I'm sorry.
So the details, 98 Durango 4WD SLT. The issues,
1. My Brakes are not passing inspections. When the car is off, pedal is hard when lighty pressed. Pushing hard goes to the floor. Start engine and the pedal sinks to about an inche above floor. When stopping i have to pump to get it to stop and pushing hard feels like I'm barely going to stop in time.
What i have done:
Primed and Replace the Master Cylinder, checked for leaks around MC, Brake booster and along hoses. Bled 2 gallons worth of brake fluid by the old fashion 2 person way. Starting at shortest line to longest. Clear fluid , no bubbles. When I first started Brake fluid was a Dark green with tiny bits or occasional black particles.
Checked vaccum lines for leaks.
Brake light and ABS light are off when ABS cable plugged in. Explanation below.
2. Problem # 2 ~ I have been driving my Durango with the ABS cable unplugged for long as I have had it ( 5 years) thus the ABS and Brake light are on. When plugged in lights go off. It came this way to me. The previous owner said it was a bad sensor in one of the wheels.
Well now I have to get it fixed to pass inspections ( passed every other year). What the problem is, when the cable is plugged in ABS/ Brake lights are off, however when driving I hit my brakes and starts to make a chattering noise. IT only does this when the ABS cable is plugged in. Also when it is plugged in turning the key on, I can here a "thud" from somewhere in the front.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
So the details, 98 Durango 4WD SLT. The issues,
1. My Brakes are not passing inspections. When the car is off, pedal is hard when lighty pressed. Pushing hard goes to the floor. Start engine and the pedal sinks to about an inche above floor. When stopping i have to pump to get it to stop and pushing hard feels like I'm barely going to stop in time.
What i have done:
Primed and Replace the Master Cylinder, checked for leaks around MC, Brake booster and along hoses. Bled 2 gallons worth of brake fluid by the old fashion 2 person way. Starting at shortest line to longest. Clear fluid , no bubbles. When I first started Brake fluid was a Dark green with tiny bits or occasional black particles.
Checked vaccum lines for leaks.
Brake light and ABS light are off when ABS cable plugged in. Explanation below.
2. Problem # 2 ~ I have been driving my Durango with the ABS cable unplugged for long as I have had it ( 5 years) thus the ABS and Brake light are on. When plugged in lights go off. It came this way to me. The previous owner said it was a bad sensor in one of the wheels.
Well now I have to get it fixed to pass inspections ( passed every other year). What the problem is, when the cable is plugged in ABS/ Brake lights are off, however when driving I hit my brakes and starts to make a chattering noise. IT only does this when the ABS cable is plugged in. Also when it is plugged in turning the key on, I can here a "thud" from somewhere in the front.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
+1 there is air somewhere in the system.
I was always told that when bleeding brakes to start at the farthest point from the master cyl and work your way to the closet point. It may or may not matter, just how i was told.
If i where you i would just take it into the dealer and have them bleed the ABS module and tell the why they are at it to bleed all the brake calipers too. Might be a little steep price wise but, is alot cheaper than a whole new truck.
I was always told that when bleeding brakes to start at the farthest point from the master cyl and work your way to the closet point. It may or may not matter, just how i was told.
If i where you i would just take it into the dealer and have them bleed the ABS module and tell the why they are at it to bleed all the brake calipers too. Might be a little steep price wise but, is alot cheaper than a whole new truck.
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Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Claremont NC
If you let the brake fluid reservoir get empty at anytime during the time you were bleeding the brakes I'll just about guarantee you have air in the ABS module. With an ABS system NEVER but NEVER let the reservoir get empty while bleeding the brakes.
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I was afraid it was that. Kept the reservoir full the whole time, so not sure how it got air in there. The brakes where fine one day and the next day when I took into inspections, the pedal dropped to the floor as I pulled into the shop. They said it was the MC so changed that now still crappy brakes. Any suggestions as for the ABS chattering.