Tires and brakes are two things I don't trust to anyone except the pros.....

 

You think I should have a brake specialist look at it, Jim?

 

I'd let the dealer try to fix it first. If they can't or won't then I'd get a written estimate from a brake shop (should be free) and take it in to the dealer/district manager...

 

Looks to me with you saying you smell a burning ordor that either a front or rear caliper is hanging up...but then you say when you press the brake it feels spongy then gets really hard...that i think is something with the vacum going to the brake booster...but then again you say the rear end locks up and hops around..all our cars do this they are notirous for it..and ABS makes it even worse..thats what causes the hop, the pulsating of the rear brake capilers..and out cars being so lite in the rear adds to that....back on subject that problem sounds like its the porporting valve..it makes sure you have a balanced brake application on all four wheels...with out it the rear brakes would lock up before the fronts and vice versa...i would have the dealer drain the fluid, complety evacuate the entire brake system, dissamble and clean all calipers and start from scratch...to me it sounds like there is trash, or something contaminating the brake fluid and has caused all your troubles.

 

Don't think it's a hanging caliper. check valve ebd or prop. valve is my thought.
BTW - thanks for trying to help. I know I've given you some sh_t here so I appreciate an honest attempt at helping. I'll let y'all know what happens next.

Off to see the dealer.

[:'(]

 

MY dad had the same problem with his 1500 dodge ram 97 and the problem was that wheel bareing was worn out and the roater was moving back and forth because the wheel baring was lose , it cause a brake pull , try lifting the car up a little and try moving the wheels to see if it moves and if it does its your wheel baring. Hope that helps , and hope you fix it

 

IT SOUNDS STUPID! but check it , my dads a mechanic and had the same problem , he just read your post and said his truck was doing the exact same thing.

 

Hey , if you ever find out the problem and it was the problem that i just gave you and you fixed it please tell me.

 

Got the car back yesterday afternoon - they purged and cleaned all wheels, flushed and refilled, checked system thoroughly and sampled fluids. No resolution yet but they are at least meking an attempt. One note of solstice, on the repair receipt - everything I said was noted and the dealer indicated that "samples were taken for testing - further repairs may be needed".

I spoke to Karen @ DCX and she said that she would make sure that I didn't have to call her again to complain, that she would make sure that they responded more accordingly. She seems to have really lit a fire under their asses. Karen is temporarily my new hero.

I patiently await the response on the testing they are doing. The svc. mgr. at the dealer assured me that he would be on top of the whole process and has followed through so far.

We'll see.

 

Is this a "five star" dealer???