2000 Dodge Caravan - Brakes do not stop well in panic stops.?
I've had this van since about 17,000 miles (90,000 now). I've changed the brakes pads and shoes several times. I changed the rotors once. There is no noise or pulling. No warning lights or computer codes. I'm using mopar brake parts.
Brakes seem fine for normal stops, but when I have to "slam" on the brakes, it seems that it just sort of slows down and eventually stops when it wants to. 2 different mechanics say there is nothing wrong.
I know it has ABS, and I've driven many other cars with ABS. The wheels certainly do not lock up. I do not detect any pulsing during hard stops. This van is just scarry to drive because if this situation.
Any ideas?
bobweb2007-06-06T15:08:58Z
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I sympathize with your plight. I'm thinking that your brake pads and rotors are "glazed" over and not having the friction characteristics they should have. If it were my car (since I do my own brake work cheaply), I'd remove the front pads and rotors. Then I'd have the front rotors machined and finished with a non directional finish. I'd select a high quality ceramic brake pad and reinstall the front brakes after washing down the newly machined front rotors in soap and water to remove all the oils and metal on the rotors. Finally I'd make sure that the front to rear brake proportioning valve was working correctly so that the rear brakes were doing their share of the braking and that the front brakes weren't doing all the work alone.
ABS system won't let the wheels lock up so it may feel like it's taking longer to brake when actually it's stopping shorter and more controlled to still steer with than with locked up brakes. You could disable the ABS system by pulling the fuses for it and see how it brakes without ABS--probably have to reset the system afterwards though. Try braking hard on a wet surface after a rain and see if the pedal "buzzes or pulses" --if it does, then the ABS seems to be working properly. May be something to adjust your driving habits too. Or test another similiar van at a used car lot. Different ABS systems will brake and feel somewhat different from one model, system or year to another. http://www.abs-education.org/faqs/faqindex.htm
Can You feel the brakes pulsate when you push the pedal? Might be brake booster or master cylinder, or just a vacuum leak. Have a mech check for codes . Make sure you go to reputable mech not mom and pop shop.
Maybe you drive a little more sensibly. Plan your stops a little sooner and don't tailgate. Get off your cell phone and pay attention to the road conditions ahead of you.
I have NEVER had to "slam on the brakes" as you say.