Chrysler Repair: brake system, disc brake pads, chrysler concorde

Question
Type of a car: Chrysler Concorde 95 24V, V8
I took my to a body shop to change rotors and put a new brakes pads (in Texas). Now I am in Iowa City, bad news I cannot go back. To make the story short. My brake ever since has been too loose; I mean the paddle is too soft when I push. When I check it I discovered that the brakes pads where not placed Ok, and the fluid was not getting out. I try to adjust it by pumping the brake, it is not working, I open the brake fluid line to see if there is a fluid actual coming out, it was coming with bubbles and keeps breaking, I put everything back, but now the brake is not working and I cannot drive the car. What shall I do to resolve this issue before I go to a mechanic again if I can do the job by my self. Please help

Thanks

Lemi Nyoma


Answer
Hi Lemi,
If you have experience with brake systems then I believe I would start by making sure that the disc brake pads are installed properly. Then I would look around at all four tires to see it there are any signs of leaking brake fluid which would, if present require that the caliper or wheel cylinder that was leaking be replaced. Once you believe that the system is free of leaks and mechanically correct you then need to bleed the entire system, usually with the help of a friend to operate the brake pedal while you collect the fluid at each wheel until it clears all the air from the lines (and if you can't get a helper there are accessory tubing with a check valve unit that will allow you to do the job by yourself). If you don't have an instruction sheet on bleeding I would recommend that you get such a sheet from the parts store where you buy the brake fluid because they often have such repair sheets to aid do-it-yourself mechanics. If you can't get such an instruction sheet then you might want to buy the Haynes Repair Manual for your car (#25025) at a parts store which has a very good chapter on the brake system of your car. Or I can xerox and postal mail you a copy of the pages from the manual that show how to bleed the system of the trapped air so as to get you a firm pedal again which may be all that you need to do. So if you can wait until maybe Thursday I would copy and mail these pages to you. Just send me back a response with you mailing address using the "thank and rate the answer" tab at the bottom of this response. To do the bleeding you have to bleed one wheel at a time starting at the right rear, left rear, right front, left front always bleeding until no more bubbles come out of the bleeder hose opening and using a tight-fitting hose with its end emersed in a transparent brake fluid container tos you can look for bubbles and so air cannot be sucked back into the system. You open the bleeder as the helper begins to steps on the pedal and then he pushes it to the floor and hold it there, then you close the bleeder, then the helper lets the pedal return to the top. You need to check the master cylinder and refill it after bleeding enough fluid as to significantly lower the fluid level in the master cylinder reservoir. You MUST NOT allow the fluid to run out in the master cylinder or you will get new air bubbles in the system and you will have to repeat the process again, starting at the left rear, etc.
Roland