Stratus Brake Problem, Help Needed

[Disturbed_One]

Hey all, our '96, 4 door, 2.4 liter Stratus has this weird brake problem that just occured out of no where

While driving, everything runs smooth (other then it needs a new cat)
anyways, when you apply brake its all good at first, then it has a sudden loss of pressure and continues to press for another inch or so, rebuilding pressure, and stops
then sometimes does it again, just to where its damn near floored

Luckily its still driveable, if needed the pedal can just be mashed to the floor to stop the car, but its not supposed to do that


We replaced the rear brake shoes, those were worn down a bit, front brakes and discs are fine
checked all over for any leak(s), none found
bled the brakes several times, all with the same result of mysterious pressure loss still

anyone know what could be wrong? is the fluid being redirected or something?

thanks for any help

-Disturbed_One

[jeep_fan]

It could be the brake booster. Right now i'm having a prob with my rear passenger brake. So i replaced brake lines and everything, and when you almost come to a complete stop the ABS comes on and pumps. I have no idea what is causing that. Does anyone have a clue?

[Disturbed_One]

The brake booster shouldn't affect it this way, if it was bad it would just be harder to brake since you dont have the assist of the booster

[vali31]

You need to take it to a shop and get an estimate on whats going on with you brakes. Once you get your brakes checked take it to another shop to have it checked again just to see if another shops evaluation of your brake problems is similar. 2 or 3 brake evaluations is always better than one.

[rhandwor]

For the dodge with normal brakes this is the way the master cylinder goes bad.
Buy a rebuilt master cylinder at a parts store bench bleed it. They have plastic lines that connect and puts the fluid back in. After it is bleed install it and bleed it at the lines. Then bleed all four wheels.
The master cylinder has two pistons this is why the problem with only part of the brakes. Just replace the complete unit with a rebuilt master cylinder.
This is a normal brake repair if you ever have bleed brakes. The fluid leaks past the piston and drips between the vacuum booster and master cylinder.