Brake question '03 Liberty Sport

Video Guy · **Posted:** Thu Jul 05, 2007 10:15 am

For the last few weeks, my brakes have started acting weird. Sometimes, while coming to a stop at low speeds (around 5-10 mph), the amount of pressure I feel in the pedal decreases and the breaks get -- pardon the technical terms -- squishy and gritty, sometimes making a quiet, low-pitched scratching sound. I still seem to have stopping power, but it's a little disconcerting to be coming to a stop and then feeling, just before I'm at a complete stop, that the brake pedal's about to hit the floor. I experienced the weirdness yesterday, but had no luck trying to get the brakes to soften up again this morning. I just don't want my brakes to fail suddenly. I haven't found any break fluid (or any fluid) on my garage floor, so I don't think I have a bad brake line. The strange behavior happens at random, but I've noticed it more in the last 7-10 days.

I had the brakes inspected while getting an oil change at Midas, and they gave the brakes themsevles a clean bill of health. They said to bring it back if the problem occurs again, that my master cyllinder could be worn out. Is there any validity to that claim, or are they trying to rip me off? I take our Jeep and Mazda6 to this Midas store for service quite often, and they seem to be an honest group of guys (and lady). If the master cyllinder is shot, I believe it will be covered by my 7/70 extended warranty.

LiLredLibby · **Posted:** Thu Jul 05, 2007 10:09 pm

Video Guy wrote:

For the last few weeks, my brakes have started acting weird. Sometimes, while coming to a stop at low speeds (around 5-10 mph), the amount of pressure I feel in the pedal decreases and the breaks get -- pardon the technical terms -- squishy and gritty, sometimes making a quiet, low-pitched scratching sound. I still seem to have stopping power, but it's a little disconcerting to be coming to a stop and then feeling, just before I'm at a complete stop, that the brake pedal's about to hit the floor. I experienced the weirdness yesterday, but had no luck trying to get the brakes to soften up again this morning. I just don't want my brakes to fail suddenly. I haven't found any break fluid (or any fluid) on my garage floor, so I don't think I have a bad brake line. The strange behavior happens at random, but I've noticed it more in the last 7-10 days.

I had the brakes inspected while getting an oil change at Midas, and they gave the brakes themsevles a clean bill of health. They said to bring it back if the problem occurs again, that my master cyllinder could be worn out. Is there any validity to that claim, or are they trying to rip me off? I take our Jeep and Mazda6 to this Midas store for service quite often, and they seem to be an honest group of guys (and lady). If the master cyllinder is shot, I believe it will be covered by my 7/70 extended warranty.

If your pads are good ,and all calipers are expanding and releasing, and your not loosing fluid,It's very probable that your master cylinder is by-passing internaly.Do you notice the pedal slowly sinking at times? If not,you may want to raise up the rear and make sure they are working freely.I've heard others having rear brake problems,just can't remember who.

Ron

Video Guy · **Posted:** Fri Jul 06, 2007 10:01 am

After reading this article (http://www.babcox.com/editorial/tr/tr502b.htm), I made an appointment to have the Liberty checked out Monday morning. This was all I needed to read:

"Regardless of how slowly the pedal sinks to the floor, a master cylinder that can't maintain a firm full pedal is an accident waiting to happen. If it can't hold pressure, it needs to be replaced -- the sooner the better."

:shock:

I don't feel like playing Russian roulette with my life. Unfortunately, while the KJ sits on my father-in-law's driveway, I'm stuck driving his smelly Buick. Yes, it smells. I don't know what he does in that car, but it took about a dozen squirts of Febreze to kill the odor. Definitely driving home with the windows down!

LiLredLibby · **Posted:** Fri Jul 06, 2007 11:19 am

Video Guy wrote:

After reading this article (http://www.babcox.com/editorial/tr/tr502b.htm), I made an appointment to have the Liberty checked out Monday morning. This was all I needed to read:

"Regardless of how slowly the pedal sinks to the floor, a master cylinder that can't maintain a firm full pedal is an accident waiting to happen. If it can't hold pressure, it needs to be replaced -- the sooner the better."

:shock:

I don't feel like playing Russian roulette with my life. Unfortunately, while the KJ sits on my father-in-law's driveway, I'm stuck driving his smelly Buick. Yes, it smells. I don't know what he does in that car, but it took about a dozen squirts of Febreze to kill the odor. Definitely driving home with the windows down!

Totaly agreed on your saftey as well as others.
As far as oders go.....I can't stand them either.My wife buys these boxes of Arm and Hammer that has a window on the front of the box so you can just peel of the display cover to the mesh window and lay them under our seats.They are spill proof and are very effective at removing oders! :wink:

Ron

Video Guy · **Posted:** Mon Jul 09, 2007 12:12 pm

LiLredLibby wrote:

Video Guy wrote:

After reading this article (http://www.babcox.com/editorial/tr/tr502b.htm), I made an appointment to have the Liberty checked out Monday morning. This was all I needed to read:

"Regardless of how slowly the pedal sinks to the floor, a master cylinder that can't maintain a firm full pedal is an accident waiting to happen. If it can't hold pressure, it needs to be replaced -- the sooner the better."

:shock:

I don't feel like playing Russian roulette with my life. Unfortunately, while the KJ sits on my father-in-law's driveway, I'm stuck driving his smelly Buick. Yes, it smells. I don't know what he does in that car, but it took about a dozen squirts of Febreze to kill the odor. Definitely driving home with the windows down!

Totaly agreed on your saftey as well as others.
As far as oders go.....I can't stand them either.My wife buys these boxes of Arm and Hammer that has a window on the front of the box so you can just peel of the display cover to the mesh window and lay them under our seats.They are spill proof and are very effective at removing oders! :wink:

Ron

Took the KJ into the dealership this morning. They've had it three hours. I couldn't get the brakes to fade this morning; I hope they have better luck duplicating the problem! Let's hope it's the master cylinder so I'm not stuck paying anything more than the $100 deductible.

CaKJFreedom · **Posted:** Mon Jul 09, 2007 12:27 pm

My 03 is on it's third master cylinder. First one went out under warranty at around 20k, second one out of warranty somewhere in the 70's. I'm curious as to how long this one will last. Sorry to say that it sounds like you're in my boat. Good luck.

Video Guy · **Posted:** Mon Jul 09, 2007 4:49 pm

CaKJFreedom wrote:

My 03 is on it's third master cylinder. First one went out under warranty at around 20k, second one out of warranty somewhere in the 70's. I'm curious as to how long this one will last. Sorry to say that it sounds like you're in my boat. Good luck.

The dealership couldn't duplicate the problem. I was afraid of that. They're saying that it could just be water boiling in there due to normal breakdown of the brake fluid. I'll get the brake fluid changed elsewhere at 60,000 miles for a lot less $, unless it gets dramatically worse and happens on a regular basis. I'm glad it was nothig major and the KJ is still safe to drive.

Nanette, I can't believe you're on your third master cylinder. That's crazy! Sorry to hear about your troubles. You must have a heavy foot. :wink:

Brake question '03 Liberty Sport

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