1997 Dodge Caravan Brakes Tighten, overheat and crack Rotor

d.boulton · Posted at Sat Nov 21, 2009 11:11 am

Brakes problem
1997 Dodge Caravan Two Wheel Drive Automatic

We purchased the used 1997 Grand Caravan 3.8 V6 over a year ago. The brakes seemed to work perfect at first. We then started to hear grinding on the front brakes. We got new front pads. The mechanic also said the rear brake cylinders needed to be replaced as well as the leaking master cylyinder and proportioning valve.

After getting all of this service done, new problems occurred. Symptoms included the following ( all at different times): Smoking brakes, Brake pedal very tight, without applying the brakes the van would brake itself, forcing us to pull over and let the brakes cool down. After visiting 3 mechanics and no one knowing the solution the front passenger rotor cracked. The mechanics who replaced the rotor thought it may be a faulty caliper. We replaced both front rotors and calipers. All of these repairs were made from March - July 2009. Today we still drive the van carefully and still get these random problems. Even dodge didn't find the problem and we paid $200 to bleed the lines, which did not help at all. We are in dire need of help. We are single income family and we purchased this van used to save money, now we are going broke over it. Any suggestions are welcome. Please contact me for me details at dustin.boulton@yahoo.com

merlin2021 · Posted at Sat Nov 21, 2009 12:34 pm

Just one question, have the flex hoses been replaced yet? Common problem is the inside of the hose collapses, this acts like a one way valve, fluid can get to caliper, but not out...when the brakes lock up, open a bleeder on the caliper, if the wheel spins freely, replace the hose. Also have the pushrod on the booster checked for the right adjustment. Last, if the brakes had a contaminating fluid like oil or tranny fluid put into the master, it would require a replacement of all rubber parts, and a wash out of the steel lines.