2002 Venture and Brakes

[baby141]

I have a 2002 venture. LAtely, when I press the brake pedal, I'm getting a "jerking" or back and forth feeling coming from the van itself. I don't feel any pulsating or anything abormal on the actual brake pedal. It is not a smooth braking when I apply the brake. It is choppy and jerky.
what can this be?

[pastaben]

I used to think that warped rotors meant pulsating, or shimmying steering wheel, but my 99 venture, two times already in 50K when I had the back and forth sensation with braking, I replaced the front rotors and problem went away.

I also found that my rear brakes were not really "braking". The shoes were binding, I think, and required cleaning and adjustment. So, apparently, the fronts were carrying more than their share of the braking function.

That's what did it for me.

[cjstew4]

Originally Posted by baby141

I have a 2002 venture. LAtely, when I press the brake pedal, I'm getting a "jerking" or back and forth feeling coming from the van itself. I don't feel any pulsating or anything abormal on the actual brake pedal. It is not a smooth braking when I apply the brake. It is choppy and jerky.
what can this be?

These van's rear shoe supposed self-adjusting mechanism if it has not been taken apart and lubed and then readjusted when replacing shoes in the back shoes will not self-adjust and therefore causes excessive front disc wear and warping of front rotors. Also, check the rear wheel cyclinders that leaked on mine recently causing the fronts to wear very quickly and unvevenly. Ensure rear drums are turned and checked for minimum thickness. I personally adjust my rear shoes so that I only get 3-4 clicks when I engage my emergency brake. If it goes beyond that, I know my self-adjuster may not be doing it's job.

Let us know what solved your issue.

[base11]

thanks for the tip. I also adjusted my rear brakes and will continue to do this in the future.

As for pulsating, if your front discs are warped you will really feel this when stopping on the highway. In general you will not notice this in the city due to the warped rotors.

ABS can be a pain also if not working right.

[rockwood84]

also the pads and shoes that are made today create more dust it can get out of the front usually on the front rims. but on the rear it can't go anywhere so it can roll in between the shoes and drum causing jerking and uneven braking.