i have a 1997 jeep grand cherokee that brakes on its own even when the abs is unplugged what could this be?

Question

while driving the jeep comes to a screeching halt and pulls a little to the right

Answer 1

I had a 97 do exactly the same thing, the master cylinder is shot (sticking) the bad news is as far as I remember these are one unit with the ABS controller so the part is very expensive, and of course all wheel cylinders, brake pads and rotors had to be replaced as well on mine as they were damaged from the heat. The final bill was over $2000.00

Answer 2

Does it do this most of the time, or seems to be ok when you start out, - till after you apply the brakes once? You could have a caliper hanging up and not fully releasing.. If so it will be sluggish on takeof, and if you drive very far the wheel will be emitting "smoke" out through the hubcap or holes in the hub! It also wears out brake pads very quickly! I have an 81 Ford F100 that does this regularly (about every 2 years), - which requires getting a new caliper and installing it (and new pads) - then it is fine for a while! Hopefully I get it done before it ruins the brake disk too! If it is really bad, it starts bouncing like it has a flat tire on that side at about 35-40 mph! At first you can stop it from dragging, if you Jab" the brakes real hard and then get off quickly, but as it progresses it gets worse and finally there is no remedy short of getting new (or rebuilt) caliper and putting it on!

Answer 3

Unfortunately the Jeep Grand Cherokee is famous for problems with the brakes. My 2002 had issues and spent a lot of time at the dealer's getting repaired over and over cause they couldn't get it right. They tell me there is a factory defect in the rotors, so duh,,,,,,they basically kept replacing the defective part with more defective parts ! They got on my last nerve,,,but eventually I got a fix that lasted,

Answer 4

Sounds like air in your brake system. Air will expand when heated and will apply your brakes with no help from you. Check the fluid level in your master cylinder and bleed your brakes. All 4 wheels. ABS is better when unplugged as it serves no useful purpose.

Answer 5

sound like your brakes is locking up something bad there check the right front maybe why not take it to a shop and have it check out could be a wheel bearing or a axle problem or just bad brake caliber

Answer 6

SUV's generally don't have the terrific gas mileage yet some do greater advantageous then maximum others. i'm taking a wager based on my old ninety seven Cherokee is any the place from 15 to twenty. supply or take some based on what you have accomplished to the engine, up grade? or tough ridding on the engine? mileage on the engine?. Hills or end and pass site visitors kill the gas too.

Answer 7

This problem may not be your brakes at all. It could be that your wheel bearings on the right front need to be repacked. Also if your mechanically inclined you might remove the right front tire and check the calipers on the front disk to see if they are free or not. If they are free I would look at the bearings.

Answer 8

You may have trapped air in your brake lines that maybe looking for an escape route. Have all your brake lines flushed and introduce new brake fluid. Check your brake booster it may have a defective diaphragm .

Answer 9

Rotor is warped and caliper is sticking.
Replace rotor and rebuild caliper. Replace Hardware such as shims, any springs (for brake pads), clean out and relube slider tubes.

Answer 10

my ford done that and it was the wheel bearings. also, it could be a loose brake pad/shoe or the assembly pieces have fallen out, brake booster may need replacing, caliber could be sticking.