98 Stratus rear brake issue

[coltsfan1975]

I have replace my rear drum brakes twice in the past few months due to constent grinding. After I just replaced them again noticed that the driver side rear wheel would lock up after pressing on the brake and would not free up unless I bleed the brakes. Any ideas on what might be the issue!!!

[rhandwor]

Did you clean the brake adjusters and back off both sides. Have you cleaned the wheel cylinders on both sides. Their is a pressure differential valve for the rear brakes you could try a scrap yard unit. Are the brake springs the same on both sides. The master cylinder can cause problems. Try loosening a bleed screw at the master cylinder does it have pressure. Normally each side of the master cylinder will feed one front and one rear wheel. This is the line to check for pressure for the drivers side. Is a caliper also hanging up.

[coltsfan1975]

I have cleaned the adjusters, replaced all springs around and also even replaced both wheel cylinders. No problems with any front brakes. Where is this differential valve? If the master cylinder was causing the problem would it not be a problem with more than one wheel? Thanks for any more help!!

[rhandwor]

I would think the master cylinder would affect two brakes. Usually the distribution valve is in front of the rear axle. It is also affected if you added spring stiffners. It normally acts on both rear axles. I would try bleeding one side on this item. The dealer sells new ones and some aftermarket items are adjustable. Are you getting a brake light from this.

[coltsfan1975]

No brake light at all. Not sure what you mean by spring stiffners? So you are saying try bleeding the diff. valve? The pass. side rear brake are fine the only issue is my driver side rear no other brake issue. Do you think the brake line right before the whl cyl is only allowing fluid to flow one way?

[rhandwor]

Sorry about the spring stiffners I used to do Caravans and if I remember correctly they had an adjustment I had to adjust when adding springs. This had a switch that lights a lite if the pressure was wrong. If pressure was unequal between front and back it turned on a light in the dash.
If only one side I would check the emergency brake cable as it could be corroded pulling on one side. If you have a hose to a wheel like a caliber on the front I would think it may be internally collapsed.
I thought your post originally said both brakes, but I would use a flashlight and look over the tubing going to each wheel for dented lines.

[coltsfan1975]

Not your fault, I should have said issue was only one side. thanks I will look at these items as soon as I can this week.

[coltsfan1975]

Any Ideas if needed how to shut off that side of the brakes if I need to drive to a shop?

[rhandwor]

Go to a hardware and buy a coupling for these type of connections. Then buy a brass plug. This is for the fitting for the wheel cylinder. Unless you are in a big hurry I think you will find the problem.
Look at the two front calipers and make sure that both bleed screws are on top. If you have air it could be not allowing the fluid to release. Also look for low spots in the line where air could be laying.

[stratusoutlaw]

I think rhandwor is right with the collapsed brake hose. I also just did my rear brakes, but the pass side was the issue. We thought it was the parking brake because I use it a lot and the cable had cracked and rusted through. After replacing the cable, it started doing it again. When we were bleeding the brakes, I would pump up the peddle and the drum would not move. Open the bleeder and close it, it was fine. Replaced the hose and I am driving good as new. You really can't shut it off.

Good Luck and hope you fixed it.