Need help diagnosing brake problem on 91 Cherokee
 

I have a 91 Cherokee 4L Auto. A few days ago, the front brakes started
smelling hot and the ABS light came on steady. I changed the pads and
cleaned and lubricated the rails with high temperature brake grease.
The light stayed on steady. No codes in the computer.

I took it out for a test drive and everything seemed fine. The wheels
were cool and were not dragging. I figured one of the ABS sensors on
the front might have a loose wire. I didn't have time to look at it
before work the next morning.

I drove it to work 20 miles. The ABS light was still on steady. The
brakes worked fine and did not feel or smell hot when I arrived. They
did not feel like they were dragging.

I drove it home after work. Again the ABS light stayed on. When I
arrived home the brakes were dragging and smoke was coming out of both
brakes as viewed from above and below the vehicle. Both wheels felt
hot. I pulled it into the garage and put a floor fan on both wheels to
cool them.

After the brakes and wheels were cool, I started it up and backed it
up and forward a few feet. The ABS light did NOT come on. The brakes
were not dragging. In fact, I could push it by hand when it was in
neutral.

Could the ABS system cause the two front brakes to partially apply or
drag? Why did the ABS light suddenly go out. I am thinking I am
dealing with a failing master cylinder. I have done many brakes in my
life so I am sure I didn't screw that up. Any help will be greatly
appreciated.

Re: Need help diagnosing brake problem on 91 Cherokee
 

Hi Gary,
The Chrysler calibers during that year and all the way back to the
seventies, used plastic pistons that swelled and jammed, new or rebuilt
are steel. I've never heard of both jamming at the same time, so maybe
you have Bendix ABS problem too, as they no longer make them, for cars.
It's time to remove them:
http://www.naxja.org/html/techarticl...ll_OEM_ABS.htm
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

Gary wrote:
>
> I have a 91 Cherokee 4L Auto. A few days ago, the front brakes started
> smelling hot and the ABS light came on steady. I changed the pads and
> cleaned and lubricated the rails with high temperature brake grease.
> The light stayed on steady. No codes in the computer.
>
> I took it out for a test drive and everything seemed fine. The wheels
> were cool and were not dragging. I figured one of the ABS sensors on
> the front might have a loose wire. I didn't have time to look at it
> before work the next morning.
>
> I drove it to work 20 miles. The ABS light was still on steady. The
> brakes worked fine and did not feel or smell hot when I arrived. They
> did not feel like they were dragging.
>
> I drove it home after work. Again the ABS light stayed on. When I
> arrived home the brakes were dragging and smoke was coming out of both
> brakes as viewed from above and below the vehicle. Both wheels felt
> hot. I pulled it into the garage and put a floor fan on both wheels to
> cool them.
>
> After the brakes and wheels were cool, I started it up and backed it
> up and forward a few feet. The ABS light did NOT come on. The brakes
> were not dragging. In fact, I could push it by hand when it was in
> neutral.
>
> Could the ABS system cause the two front brakes to partially apply or
> drag? Why did the ABS light suddenly go out. I am thinking I am
> dealing with a failing master cylinder. I have done many brakes in my
> life so I am sure I didn't screw that up. Any help will be greatly
> appreciated.

Re: Need help diagnosing brake problem on 91 Cherokee
 

Hi Gary,
The Chrysler calibers during that year and all the way back to the
seventies, used plastic pistons that swelled and jammed, new or rebuilt
are steel. I've never heard of both jamming at the same time, so maybe
you have Bendix ABS problem too, as they no longer make them, for cars.
It's time to remove them:
http://www.naxja.org/html/techarticl...ll_OEM_ABS.htm
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

Gary wrote:
>
> I have a 91 Cherokee 4L Auto. A few days ago, the front brakes started
> smelling hot and the ABS light came on steady. I changed the pads and
> cleaned and lubricated the rails with high temperature brake grease.
> The light stayed on steady. No codes in the computer.
>
> I took it out for a test drive and everything seemed fine. The wheels
> were cool and were not dragging. I figured one of the ABS sensors on
> the front might have a loose wire. I didn't have time to look at it
> before work the next morning.
>
> I drove it to work 20 miles. The ABS light was still on steady. The
> brakes worked fine and did not feel or smell hot when I arrived. They
> did not feel like they were dragging.
>
> I drove it home after work. Again the ABS light stayed on. When I
> arrived home the brakes were dragging and smoke was coming out of both
> brakes as viewed from above and below the vehicle. Both wheels felt
> hot. I pulled it into the garage and put a floor fan on both wheels to
> cool them.
>
> After the brakes and wheels were cool, I started it up and backed it
> up and forward a few feet. The ABS light did NOT come on. The brakes
> were not dragging. In fact, I could push it by hand when it was in
> neutral.
>
> Could the ABS system cause the two front brakes to partially apply or
> drag? Why did the ABS light suddenly go out. I am thinking I am
> dealing with a failing master cylinder. I have done many brakes in my
> life so I am sure I didn't screw that up. Any help will be greatly
> appreciated.

Re: Need help diagnosing brake problem on 91 Cherokee
 

Hi Gary,
The Chrysler calibers during that year and all the way back to the
seventies, used plastic pistons that swelled and jammed, new or rebuilt
are steel. I've never heard of both jamming at the same time, so maybe
you have Bendix ABS problem too, as they no longer make them, for cars.
It's time to remove them:
http://www.naxja.org/html/techarticl...ll_OEM_ABS.htm
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

Gary wrote:
>
> I have a 91 Cherokee 4L Auto. A few days ago, the front brakes started
> smelling hot and the ABS light came on steady. I changed the pads and
> cleaned and lubricated the rails with high temperature brake grease.
> The light stayed on steady. No codes in the computer.
>
> I took it out for a test drive and everything seemed fine. The wheels
> were cool and were not dragging. I figured one of the ABS sensors on
> the front might have a loose wire. I didn't have time to look at it
> before work the next morning.
>
> I drove it to work 20 miles. The ABS light was still on steady. The
> brakes worked fine and did not feel or smell hot when I arrived. They
> did not feel like they were dragging.
>
> I drove it home after work. Again the ABS light stayed on. When I
> arrived home the brakes were dragging and smoke was coming out of both
> brakes as viewed from above and below the vehicle. Both wheels felt
> hot. I pulled it into the garage and put a floor fan on both wheels to
> cool them.
>
> After the brakes and wheels were cool, I started it up and backed it
> up and forward a few feet. The ABS light did NOT come on. The brakes
> were not dragging. In fact, I could push it by hand when it was in
> neutral.
>
> Could the ABS system cause the two front brakes to partially apply or
> drag? Why did the ABS light suddenly go out. I am thinking I am
> dealing with a failing master cylinder. I have done many brakes in my
> life so I am sure I didn't screw that up. Any help will be greatly
> appreciated.