Hi all. I'm new here. I hope some of you can help me out.

I have a 97 Neon DOHC that I picked up about 8 months ago. Recently my front left brake has started acting up.

Symptom - caliper releasing slowly and dragging often
Temp fix - slamming on the brakes a fews time helps to get the fluid flowing properly

My bro and I thought it might be the caliper so we replaced it. The problem still existed. My brother tried locking the brakes which had a positive affect of allowing the caliper to release properly (noted above). This was okay for a few days then the slow release problem came back.

I noticed the fluid was quite dirty and had not been changed in a a long time. I took it to a shop for a power flush. Once again the problem disappeared and I hoped it would not come back. But it has happened again.

I am thinking it may be the proportioning valve that is the problem but not sure. A tech said he would replace the brake hose as the next step thinking it could collapsed inside. But, if this were the case would the problem be intermittent? Sounds liek a collapsed hose would keep the release problem a permanent thing.

Has anyone run into a problem like this? Any advice you can offer would be appreciated.

 

I haven't had this problem before, but it could be the hose. It's the easiest fix also. Check for any kinks in the hard lines. I am more for your idea, that it's the proportioning valve. It could be as simple as a particle that is stuck in it not allowing it to bleed off properly.

 

thanks for the reply 71RoadRunner.. I think I'll try pulling out and cleaning the proportioning valve first (despite it being more work).. I'll save the brake hose replacement for now thinking that a collapsed hose would inhibit fluid flow in both directions completely until replaced.. it just seems like the back flow is disturbed temporarily and a power braknig session clears it up.. I'll let you know how it goes..

 

Thats how I figure it, a problem in it. We'll be waiting to hear from ya'.

 

Get the LF wheel off the car
push the brake pedal down and release
can you turn the rotor????
if NO open the brake bleeder
If a little fluid came out and/or you can now turn the rotor REPLACE THAT HOSE!!!!
It's like a $12.00 hose that's easy to install
Let me know how that turns out!!

 

Yep, you called it.. replaced the brake hose and all is well.. never run into this before but it all makes sense now.. thanks for your help guys...