The brakes on my parents 96 jeep Cherokee are going to the floor. What should I try next?

Question

This happened suddenly and supposedly there was brake work done last year sometime but, I replaced the front pads, which were barely there, and the master cylinder and the brakes are still going to the floor. I will check the back ones tomorrow but I am at a loss...I need to try and fix this P.O.C before Monday. Any ideas what could be the problem before I waste any more time fixing the wrong things? Even though it needs to be done.

Yes, the brakes have been bled....and it needs new rotors but, like I said, it's not mine. I work on my own cars. For the brakes "supposedly" being done las year..they are extremely worn. Calipers are working fine too....no fluid leaking.

I DID change the master cyl and I do work on cars for a living. I also work in the auto parts industry. I repl master cylinder and pads...tomorrow I will ck the back brakes to see if they need adjusting.

Answer 1

check to see if you have any fluid left in your master cylinder, if not fill it and see if that works,l if its empty and that doesn't work get a second person and check for a leak in a brake line (pump the brake with the car off any the other person see if there is a leak you should be able to hear it too.... if you have fluid and no leak then you have a lot of air in the lines and they need bleed... good luck!!!

Answer 2

I've come across this before. Either you have tripped the height sensing proportioning valve or the regular prop. valve is tripped. Chrysler products have a valve attached to the rear axle for the brake proportioning. if the vehicle has been lifted to bleed, you will probably never getr the fluid out of your rear lines. It will flow very slowly and you'll think they're bled. Try bleeding them with the jeep backed up on a set of ramps so you can see the bleeders, but still keep the axle at it's proper position. If that doesn't help, look for the standard prop. valve on the frame somewhere close to the master cyl.

Did you bench bleed the master before replacing it? If not, that is a VERY important step in replacing a master. If you don't do that, there's most likely still air in your master.

my e-mail's open if you need more help

Answer 3

Priority Action Part Type Cause
4 Inspect Wheel Cylinder Worn or leaking wheel cylinder(s).
6 Inspect Brake Fluid Type Brake fluid loss or contamination
7 Inspect Master Cylinder Gasket Leaking master cylinder gasket.
8 Inspect Master Cylinder (Brake System) Worn or leaking brake master cylinder.
9 Inspect Brake Power Booster Damaged booster vacuum line/check valve, or diaphram

Get a Haynes Repair Manual at the local Auto Zone or auto parts store in your area. It will troubleshoot and show you how to fix your vehicle. Also on the Auto Zone site has a section for vehicle maintenance

Answer 4

don't drive it! You should have it in the shop and have them repair it. You can do a cursory inspection yourself, check around on the ground where the vehicle is parked, look for brake fluid on the ground and where it is located, Like right rear this is so that you can tell the repair person and that will give them a little heads up, they will still check the rest of your system but at least they have an idea that it might be located there. Another thing that you can do is to check to see if there is any fluid in the master cylinder reservoir. It is easy for some one to tell you that you can do these things your self but this is how that vehicle stops and for your protection and even more so for any one that rides with you or meets you on the street. Now go to the pro.

Answer 5

Although the brakes were worked on sometime last year, doesn't mean that they were done correctly or the parts didn't malfunction. Change the brakes again, you should have gotten a life-time warranty. You can exchange them. Also try bleeding your brakes. There could be air in the break line.
Good Luck!

Answer 6

since you replaced the master cylinder and bled the lines by any chance does this vehicle have abs if so thats the problem there is a certain way an abs system has to be bled which is different from non abs system. if the vehicle in question is not abs i dont know without looking at it. check for leaks.

Answer 7

have to bleed the brakes ask for help if that don't owrk the master cylinder is bad and needs to the replace
about $50.00 and 2 hours of work

Answer 8

This one is undemanding. The connector is located at the back of the plastic panel. located interior the shipment compartment. check out the link under. that's for a 2003, however the wiring is interior an identical place. P.S. the section # is15349

Answer 9

Dont drive the car till you get fixed.You have air in your brake lines or are out of brake fluid

Answer 10

check if the rod from the brake pedal to the master cylinder is the right one because they need to be thr right length for it to work properly