1995 Dodge Van Brake hose fixed problem?

DEDWARDS_2000

MEMBER
1995 DODGE VAN
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
140,000 MILES

I've replace my own brakes on cars for years but first time on this G Caravan. Was aware brake pads just about used up. Brakes worked normally to end.
- changed rotors & pads. Noted one thing: left side piston would not retract unless bleeder valve openned, right side would retract.
- noted left side running hot (rotor temp twice that of right side using a laser temperature gauge, aluminum wheel hub getting too hot). However van was not pulling to side and seemed to coast fine with no obvious drag. Took wheel off and noted rotor not too extremely tight. Still way too hot on left side. Changed both calipers as was guessing left caliper sticking. - Still very hot. All I could think of was the master cylinder needed replacing. Took to repair shop. They replaced the left brake flex cable. Problem gone away but mechanic could not explain how flex hose could cause or solve the problem and got defensive. Got parts returned. Brake flex hose in very good condition, no leaks, no damage, no signs of bulging what so every. Front desk Service personal could not explain. Went to a well know brake specialist company to see if they had any idea. Their front desk person had no idea.

Anyone have any guesses as to what happened here?

3 Replies

DOCFIXIT

MECHANIC
18,828 POSTS

Flex brake hoses internaly rupture they appear fine. Hose made up of sevaerl layers inner layer splits will allow fluid past to caliper but will check pressure from returning to master thus your not being able to retract piston without opening bleeder. Need to have faith in your fellow man

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Wednesday, August 11th, 2010 AT 12:57 PM

DEDWARDS_2000

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Thanks for insight. What made it particularly puzzling was the problem did not (seem to) exist before I changed the brakes. All I can think of is something must have happened to the flex cable internally while I had the caliper off to change the brakes. But on the other side of it, maybe the problem had already started as evidenced by not being able to retract the piston (unless the bleed screw was used) when the new pads were installed. If that was the case, then I guess I got bad advice from someone on the internet who said don't be concerned the piston wouldn't retract to accomodate new pads unless using the bleed screw.

Just so you know I got a $460 bill to replace the $30 hose as they felt they had to replace my one hour old pads and rotors and do a complete brake fluid replacement (even though I had replaced most it the day before). One rotor had a tiny bit of blue but was not warped. But my real complaint was brake guy and two service managers could explain how my $460 hose had solved the problem.

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Wednesday, August 11th, 2010 AT 2:53 PM

DOCFIXIT

MECHANIC
18,828 POSTS

You are right caliper removal is all it takews to damage hose when I quote Brake work on older high milage vehicles add the flex hoses been burnt before. But they certanily got next to you for a hose replacement there was no need to replace pads and rotor these kind of places make it hard for honest shops to have only a bad light cast upon them. All I can say from the vast number of honest Tech I'm sorry. Would consider complaint to BBB

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Wednesday, August 11th, 2010 AT 3:00 PM