STRANGE brake problem...

[Viper Specialty]

I had a very strange braking experience tonight... something worth looking into. basically, I drove from my house to a friends, about 1/2 mile and let the car idle out front for about 5-10 minutes. After I left, I was driving to another friends house, about 1 miles from the first friends. Driving along normal, I did about a 60 MPH to Zero stop fairly quickly, (not an emergency stop by any means). I then turned onto my friends street, as I went down his street, and stopped at the stop signs, (4 signs, 30 MPH area) I noticed the brake pedal getting stiffer. By the time I reached his house, it was obvious that the brakes were dragging! I stopped in the street, and you could tell if you lurched the car forward and let off in neutral, the brakes dragged the car to a stop pretty quick. I hopped out, and checked all rotors. none were red, or overheated by any means- I could touch them and not get instantly cooked. I tried to roll the car by its wheel, and it felt just like the parking brake was on- and it sure wasnt. I pulled into my friends driveway, and the "drag" was enough to keep the car from rolling down, so it was about a 3 on a 1-10 scale, the car could still be driven though. I then let the car cool, and you could tell, as it cooled the brake pedal went back to normal. I went home ASAP, and pulled my whole brake system apart. everything was free- nothing jammed/warped, and no more dragging. I bled the system, and I got nothing more than a couple small air bubbles.

This is the second time it has done this, though the first time it only did it for a minute, and then stopped. (or it may have been as I was parking the car, and thought nothing of it as it didnt repeat by the time I got back)


Anyone have any ideas...? I am at a loss at this point. I took it out for a ride, and it didnt do it again after I put it back together... but then again, it didnt do it earlier today on a LONG cruise I went on either.

I am fairly certain that is a full system issue, not just fronts or rears. Outside temp was about 40.

Thanks!


PS- I am still learning the SRT, and I must say... the more I dig into it, the more I like it. I must give the car a full 2 thumbs up at this point, regaurdless of this little hiccup. I have noticed NO lack of rubber-neckers compared to my GTS, whatsoever.

 

[Tom F&L GoR]

Something with the power brake booster diaphragm or vacuum line check valve? If it somehow leaked, it would make for a harder pedal (no boost) and all brakes on... Long idles at high manifold vacuum might make it worse.

 

[Steve-Indy]

Have heard this story concerning another 04...and, in fact, could see blue discoloration on the rotors...all within the first few miles of ownership...tech could NOT find the problem, and could not reproduce the situation...and, the one inch band of blue cleared with futher usage. No long term followup known.

Have also heard of a brake booster problem with similar story...no details.

Sure would like to know the answer (other than "big feet" and brake pedal being closer to accererator pedal).

 

[kverges]

My '03 did this the 3rd day I owned it, just started dragging brakes. Turned out to be the brake booster. YOu are the first other person I have heard having this problem, don't know if it is widespread in any way, but do have the booster checked.

PS it only happended with the car warm, after operating for at least 10-15 minutes, sot it was difficult to diagnose.

 

[Viper Specialty]

The booster was definatly on my list of "possibles"... figures.

Anyone know WHAT fails on them...? Be it the valve, the diaphram, linkage, something jamming...?

 

[Gary C (GaryCSilver04)]

Mine did the same deal, right Steve? LOL Woodhouse/Bill was very concerned and ready to do anything...thanks again...

It went away as mysteriously as it started... the car was pretty locked up... if I braked hard it dragged if I braked easy no problems,,,go figured...never did it again after 200 miles,,,mile 71 was the mileage when she was dragging her feet,,, we never figures it out,,, I have big feet but they do still have some feeling in them, LOL Steve...

OOOooppppsss,,,, Congrats on the Great White...

 

[Viper Specialty]

Thanks guys!

I had my dealer order me in a booster, just in case... even though it wont do it anymore!

I think I am just going to replace the booster "just in case"... and then take apart the old one and see if I can find the initial cause...could be good information to at least KNOW. Oh well, curiosity is gonna cost me $364.00!

 

[2BADD 4U]

Daniel, could there be something acting up with the ABS?

Dave

 

[Viper Specialty]

Dont think so, no codes, and didnt matter if I turned the key forward/back and the ABS reset.

 

[Viper Specialty]

Just an update;

Since the problem occured at about 50-75 miles from the car being new, I am now at 1000 miles and it has not reoccured in any way, shape, or form.

In my opinion, I feel that this "problem" may be due to assembly lube used on some of the O-rings in the boosters, which causes them to sometimes stick when new. As soon as the problem occured, I took it back to my place and bled all of the brakes- this may have kept it from reoccuring as it really gave the booster quite a break-in with long travels.

Anyone else that experiences this problem, I advise you do do the following:

-Stop driving the car ASAP to keep the brakes from overheating
-Allow the car to cool, this should free up the brakes.
-Drive slowly back home/to repair shop and bleed all the brakes thoroughly.
-Test brakes over the next 100 miles or so, and TRY to give them a good workout. If you sense the pedal getting stiff and brakes dragging, follow above directions again, but insist on a new boster from dealer...that should solve your problems for good.