Chrysler Concorde 2004 Service Manual page 1469

LH
BRAKES - BASE BRAKE
SYSTEM
DESCRIPTION - BASE BRAKES
The base brake system consists of the following
components:
• Brake pedal
• Master cylinder
• Power brake booster
• Brake tubes and hoses
• Proportioning valves (2)
• Disc brakes (front and rear)
• Brake lamp switch
• Brake fluid level switch
• Parking brake
All brakes are power assist type through the use of
a vacuum operated power brake booster.
The hydraulic brake system is diagonally split on
both the non-antilock and antilock braking systems.
This means the left front and right rear brakes are
on one hydraulic circuit from the master cylinder and
the right front and left rear are on the other.
Front disc brakes control the braking of the front
wheels; rear braking is controlled by rear disc
brakes.
Vehicles equipped with the optional antilock brake
system (ABS) (with and without traction control) use
a system designated Mark 20i. This system shares
most base brake hardware used on vehicles without
ABS. All components differing from the base brake
hardware are described in detail in the Antilock
Brake System section.
The parking brake on this vehicle is pedal-oper-
ated.
For more information on the description of any
individual base brake component, refer to that com-
ponent elsewhere in this section. For information on
the brake lamp switch, (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/
LAMPS/LIGHTING -
SWITCH - DESCRIPTION)
OPERATION - BASE BRAKES
When a vehicle needs to be stopped, the driver
applies the brake pedal. The brake pedal pushes the
input rod of the power brake booster into the booster.
The booster uses vacuum to ease pedal effort as force
is transferred through the booster to the master cyl-
inder. The booster's output rod pushes in the master
cylinder's primary and secondary pistons applying
hydraulic pressure through the chassis brake tubes,
junction block, and proportioning valves to the
brakes at each tire and wheel assembly.
The pedal-operated parking brake operates in the
following manner. When applied, the parking brake
EXTERIOR/BRAKE
BRAKES - BASE BRAKE SYSTEM 5 - 3
lever pulls on cables that actuate parking brake
shoes at each rear wheel.
For more information on the operation of any indi-
vidual base brake component, refer to that compo-
nent elsewhere in this section.
WARNING
WARNING: DUST AND DIRT ACCUMULATING ON
BRAKE PARTS DURING NORMAL USE MAY CON-
TAIN ASBESTOS FIBERS FROM PRODUCTION OR
AFTERMARKET
EXCESSIVE
FIBERS CAN CAUSE SERIOUS BODILY HARM.
EXERCISE
PARTS. DO NOT SAND OR GRIND BRAKE LINING
UNLESS EQUIPMENT USED IS DESIGNED TO CON-
TAIN THE DUST RESIDUE. DO NOT CLEAN BRAKE
PARTS WITH COMPRESSED AIR OR BY DRY
BRUSHING. CLEANING SHOULD BE DONE BY
DAMPENING THE BRAKE COMPONENTS WITH A
FINE MIST OF WATER, THEN WIPING THE BRAKE
COMPONENTS CLEAN WITH A DAMPENED CLOTH.
DISPOSE OF CLOTH AND ALL RESIDUE CONTAIN-
ING ASBESTOS FIBERS IN AN IMPERMEABLE
CONTAINER WITH THE APPROPRIATE LABEL. FOL-
LOW PRACTICES PRESCRIBED BY THE OCCUPA-
TIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
(OSHA) AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY (EPA) FOR THE HANDLING, PROCESSING,
AND DISPOSING OF DUST OR DEBRIS THAT MAY
CONTAIN ASBESTOS FIBERS.
CAUTION
CAUTION: Use only Mopar brake fluid or an equiv-
alent from a tightly sealed container. Brake fluid
must conform to DOT 3 specifications. Do not use
petroleum-based fluid because seal damage in the
LAMP
brake system will result.
CAUTION: Brake fluid will damage painted surfaces.
If brake fluid is spilled on any painted surfaces,
wash it off immediately with water.
CAUTION: Never use gasoline, kerosene, alcohol,
motor oil, transmission fluid, or any fluid containing
mineral oil to clean system components. These flu-
ids damage rubber cups and seals.
CAUTION: During service procedures, grease or
any other foreign material must be kept off the cal-
iper assembly, brake linings, brake rotor and exter-
nal surfaces of the hub.
BRAKE LININGS.
CONCENTRATIONS
CARE WHEN SERVICING
BREATHING
OF ASBESTOS
BRAKE