What's up with my '99 ABS system?!

venus14351 · #1 06-19-2005, 08:45 PM

Hello all - new here, skimmed some of the many posts - sorry if this has been asked already:

Took my '99 in at least three times because my rear breaks kept sticking to the point where I could feel and hear it. They still do it occasionally, but since I am female, I just get the old "another woman hearing noises" look from the service guys who "can't find anything wrong with it."

Well today, my husband almost killed himself when the damn things completely locked up at 60 miles an hour! He was following behind me one minute, then swerving down the road sideways the next till he finally stopped in a ditch facing the wrong way. How he didn't flip I will never know!

Eventually they unstuck enough for him to creep along but now there is this clanking noise in forward and reverse like something broke off and is hitting something it shouldn't.

Has anyone heard of break problems like this? I am calling the D-C HQ tomorrow! ARGH!

Sorry for the wordiness...

CanaMark · #2 06-20-2005, 05:44 AM

Get you husband or male friend to take it in. Raise some hell, get mad. If its still under warranty (being 6 years old now) keep all records. Personally I would put it up on jacks, take the wheels off, and take a look at the brake pads, rotors, fluid, hoses and sensors. Take pictures. Get a safety inspection from an independant mechanic, preferably nothing to do with manufacturer or dealer.

o|||||||o · #3 06-20-2005, 10:31 AM

The rear (drum) brakes on TJs are known to have this problem. It is typically worse when there is moisture in the air (rain / snow) or the Jeep has sat for a day or more.

There is no real cure. Just another quirk associated with Wrangler ownership. If you really hate it that much you can upgrade to the rear disc brake set up on the newer models.

venus14351 · #4 06-20-2005, 04:16 PM

Thanks for the help but I am very concerned about how safe it would be to drive this car at all now!

It is definitely past warranty but I checked and I have FOUR documented dates of when I took it in for the same problem while it WAS under warranty! I am pissed that this could have caused a serious accident and also that there is probably significant damage since the original problem was not fixed. Sheesh!

~Venus

CanaMark · #5 06-20-2005, 09:35 PM

Take it to different people, dont keep going to the same person.

venus14351 · #6 06-20-2005, 09:46 PM

Yup - been there, done that - three different places - no luck. I'll keep trying - I do love my jeep but I really am concerned about safety now.

Thanks to all who offered suggestions! It is appreciated!

~Venus

fredjacksonsan · #7 06-21-2005, 08:43 AM

Since you took it in UNDER WARRANTY a few times for the same problem, I'd say you have a leg to stand on. Your idea about contacting DC is a good one, I'd follow through with that. Hold on to your original service tickets, but definitely send them some copies.

venus14351 · #8 06-21-2005, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fredjacksonsan

Since you took it in UNDER WARRANTY a few times for the same problem, I'd say you have a leg to stand on. Your idea about contacting DC is a good one, I'd follow through with that. Hold on to your original service tickets, but definitely send them some copies.

Hmmm...That was what I thought until I talked to someone in the freakin' MI HQ today. He said that there's nothing he can do because my warranty is up and "you've been driving the car for 50,000 miles, m'am." I said, yes, but what would you do if you took the car in 4 times and the "Jeep certified" techs could not find / fix the problem, but told you everything was fine?

I am pissed. Now the problem is exacerbated and I am supposed to just bend over and say thank you, may I have another.

Oh well...enough complaining for tonight. I will just have to be persistent and talk to someone else about it. At least venting feels good for now...

fredjacksonsan · #9 06-21-2005, 08:15 PM

Send a couple of letters, and advise you intend to have your attorney contact them. Be concise, but advise that you have been in several times and been told that nothing was wrong. Send in copies of the service receipts with your letter.

They get thousands of phone calls a day, I'm not surprised they told you to go away. A well written letter may get you further.

CanaMark · #10 06-25-2005, 03:12 AM

Good ideas. Be stern, strict, but dont go over-board. Once you start running your mouth, so to speak, they will be glad to make it hard for you. I think you know what I mean here.

venus14351 · #11 06-25-2005, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanaMark

Good ideas. Be stern, strict, but dont go over-board. Once you start running your mouth, so to speak, they will be glad to make it hard for you. I think you know what I mean here.

Yes - I know! I spoke with a non-jeep mechanic and told him all the symptoms and the latest problem with the locking of the rear wheels. He said it probably isn't the brakes at all but a problem with the rear end - axles maybe? The customer service rep at Jeep HQ also suggested it might not be the brakes that are causing the problem. Hmmm...if jeep techs couldn't find anything wrong with the brakes four different times, why wouldn't they look for the problem elsewhere? Argh....Has anyone ever had rear end problems where they had to replace parts for normal function?

Thanks!
~Venus

CanaMark · #12 06-26-2005, 05:43 PM

Yes it could be a larger issue, bent axles or something. This is a common problem in general life. People tend to look at the specific problem (Tunnel Vision), and not the whole view on the matter. I don't know how to do the quote thing, like you did. But a mechanic is a mechanic, until you get into the expensive vehicles, with more specific diagnosis tools. That is just my opinion however I am known to be wrong, not often.

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