1998 Dodge Intrepid stiff breaks

STEPHEN1907

MEMBER
1998 DODGE INTREPID
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
83,000 MILES

I have a very well maintained Intrepid and I have had a problem with the breaks. I changed both R and L calipers and the rotors as well as the rubber hoses going to the break block in the front of the car. I also got an Hayes Manual to bleed the breaks in the proper sequence. I am still having a very intermittent pressure problem. The break will tighten up while I am driving while I am sitting at idle. The breaks get really stiff and wont let go. But after a while it goes away. I seems to have 2 common factors, heat and angel, what I mean by this is if the car is parked at an angel it will tighten up the calipers, and if it is warm out side it will do the same thing. I am out of Ideas and have taken it to 5 different break experts, they all tell me the same thing. They dont know they have never heard of such a thing. PLEASE HELP ME SOLVE THIS PROBLEM

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,871 POSTS

Hi stephen1907. Welcome to the forum. You obviously know more about this system then most people, and you've already replaced the two most likely suspects, the hoses and calipers. Next, check the rubber bladder seals under the reservoir caps. If they are blown up and mushy, the fluid is contaminated with petroleum product. If the cap seals appear ok, when the brakes lock up again, stop on a slight incline, put a block a few inches downhill from one of the tires, then open the bleeder screws and see if one of the calipers releases. If it does, try that again by loosening the steel lines at the master cylinder. Where the pressure will or will not release will provide the clue. To solving the mystery of the locking brake.

Caradiodoc