Standard Procedure - Base Brake Bleeding - Chrysler PT Cruiser Service & Repair Manual

5 - 6 BRAKES - BASE
BRAKES - BASE (Continued)
CONDITION
EXCESSIVE PEDAL
TRAVEL (ONE FRONT
WHEEL LOCKS UP
DURING HARD BRAKING)
PEDAL PULSATES/
SURGES DURING
BRAKING
PEDAL IS SPONGY
PREMATURE REAR
WHEEL LOCKUP
STOP LAMPS STAY ON
VEHICLE PULLS TO
RIGHT OR LEFT ON
BRAKING
PARKING BRAKE -
EXCESSIVE HANDLE
TRAVEL
STANDARD PROCEDURE - BASE BRAKE
BLEEDING
NOTE: For bleeding the ABS hydraulic system, refer
to Antilock Brake System Bleeding in the Antilock
Brake System section.
CAUTION: Before removing the master cylinder cap,
wipe it clean to prevent dirt and other foreign mat-
ter from dropping into the master cylinder reservoir.
POSSIBLE CAUSES
1. One of the two hydraulic circuits is
malfunctioning.
1. Rear brake drum out of round or
disc brake rotor has excessive
thickness variation.
1. Air in brake lines.
1. Contaminated brake shoe linings.
2. Inoperative proportioning valve
(non-ABS vehicles only).
3. ABS EVBP not functioning.
1. Brake lamp switch out of
adjustment.
2. Brake pedal binding.
3. Power brake booster not allowing
pedal to return completely.
1. Frozen brake caliper piston.
2. Contaminated brake shoe lining
(most likely front lining).
3. Pinched brake lines.
4. Leaking piston seal.
5. Suspension problem.
1. Rear brakes out of adjustment.
1. Inspect system for leaks. Check
master cylinder for internal malfunction.
1. Isolate condition as rear or front.
Reface or replace brake drums or
rotors as necessary.
1. Bleed brakes.
1. Inspect and clean, or replace shoes.
Repair source of contamination.
2. Test proportioning valves following
diagnosis and testing procedure. Refer
to Proportioning Valve. Replace valves
as necessary.
3. Refer to the ABS section and
Appropriate Diagnostic Information.
1. Replace brake lamp switch. (Refer to
8 - ELECTRICAL/LAMPS/LIGHTING -
EXTERIOR/BRAKE LAMP SWITCH -
REMOVAL)
2. Inspect and replace as necessary.
3. Replace power brake booster.
1. Replace frozen piston or caliper.
Bleed brakes.
2. Inspect and clean, or replace shoes.
Repair source of contamination.
3. Replace pinched line.
4. Replace piston seal or brake caliper.
5. Refer to the Suspension section.
1. Adjust rear drum brake shoes, or
rear parking brake shoes on vehicles
with rear disc brakes.
CAUTION: Use only Mopar brake fluid or an equiv-
alent from a fresh, tightly sealed container. Brake
fluid must conform to DOT 3 specifications.
Do not pump the brake pedal at any time while
having a bleeder screw open during the bleeding pro-
cess. This will only increase the amount of air in the
system and make additional bleeding necessary.
CORRECTION
PT