warning DODGE NEON 1999 Service User Guide

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
BRAKE SYSTEM BASIC DIAGNOSIS GUIDE
SYMPTOMCHART 1
MISC.
COND.CHART 2
WARNING
LIGHTCHART 3
POWER
BRAKESCHART 4
BRAKE
NOISECHART 5
WHEEL
BRAKES
Brake Warning Light On X NO NO
Excessive Pedal Travel 6 X NO O
Pedal Goes To The Floor 6 X
Stop Light On Without Brakes 3
All Brakes Drag 5
Rear Brakes Drag 2 NO NO
Grabby Brakes O X
Spongy Brake Pedal X NO
Premature Rear Brake Lockup 4 NO NO O
Excessive Pedal Effort 1 O
Rough Engine Idle NO O
Brake Chatter (Rough) NO NO X
Surge During Braking NO NO X
Noise During Braking NO NO X
Rattle Or Clunking Noise NO NO X
Pedal Pulsates During Braking NO NO X
Pull To Right Or Left NO NO X
No: Not A Possible Cause X: Most Likely Cause O: Possible Cause
PLBRAKES 5 - 9

RED BRAKE WARNING LAMP FUNCTION
PLBRAKES 5 - 11
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING (Continued)

(7) With the aid of a helper, apply pressure to the
brake pedal until reading on proportioning valve
inlet gauge, is at the pressure shown on the following
chart. Then check the pressure reading on the pro-
portioning valve outlet gauge. If proportioning valve
outlet pressure does not agree with value shown on
the following chart, when inlet pressure shown on
chart is obtained, replace the proportioning valve. If
proportioning valve is within pressure specifications
do not replace proportioning valve.
(8) Check rear wheel brake shoe linings for con-
tamination or for replacement brake shoes not meet-
ing OEM brake lining material specifications. These
conditions can also be a possible cause for a prema-
ture rear wheel skid.
(9) Install proportioning valve in chassis brake
tube (Fig. 29). Tighten the proportioning valve to a
torque of 17 N´m (145 in. lbs.).
(10) Bleed the affected brake line. See Bleeding
Brake System in the Service Adjustments section of
the manual for proper bleeding procedure.
BRAKE FLUID CONTAMINATION
Indications of fluid contamination are swollen or
deteriorated rubber parts.
Swollen rubber parts indicate the presence of
petroleum in the brake fluid.
To test for contamination, put a small amount of
drained brake fluid in clear glass jar. If fluid sepa-
rates into layers, there is mineral oil or other fluid
contamination of the brake fluid.
If brake fluid is contaminated, drain and thor-
oughly flush system. Replace master cylinder, propor-
tioning valve, caliper seals, wheel cylinder seals,
Antilock Brakes hydraulic unit and all hydraulic
fluid hoses.
RED BRAKE WARNING LAMP TEST
For diagnosis of specific problems with the red
brake warning lamp system, refer to Brake System
Diagnostics Chart 2, located in the Diagnosis And
Testing section in this group of the service manual.
STOP LAMP SWITCH TEST PROCEDURE
The required procedure for testing the stop lamp
switch is covered in Group 8H, Vehicle Speed Control
System in this service manual. The electrical circuit
tests for stop lamps is covered in Group 8W Rear
Lighting in this service manual.
SERVICE PROCEDURES
BRAKE FLUID LEVEL CHECK
Check master cylinder reservoir brake fluid level a
minimum of twice a year.
Master cylinder reservoirs are marked with the
wordsFULL AND MINindicating proper range of
the master cylinder fluid level (Fig. 34).
Fig. 33 Pressure Gauges Installed On Pressure Test
Fittings
BRAKE PROPORTIONING VALVE APPLICATIONS AND PRESSURE SPECIFICATIONS
Sales CodeBrake
System
TypeSplit
PointSlopeIdentifi-
cationInlet
PressureOutlet
Pressure
BRA 149
Disc/Drum400 psi 0.43 Black
Band1000 psi 600-700
psi
BRD 149
Disc/Disc300 psi 0.34 Bar Code
Band1000 psi 550-650
psi
BRF 149
Disc/Disc
W/ABS300 psi 0.34 Bar Code
Band1000 psi 550-650
psi
PLBRAKES 5 - 19
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING (Continued)

The use of a double straddle cutter (Fig. 41) that
machines both sides of the rotor at the same time is
highly recommended.
RESURFACNG BRAKE ROTOR
This operation can be used when rotor surface is
rusty, has lining deposits or excessive lateral runout
or thickness variation is evident.
A sanding rotor attachment will remove surface
contamination without removing much rotor mate-
rial.
It will generally follow variations in thickness that
are in the rotor.
BRAKE DRUM MACHINING
Measure drum runout and diameter. If not to spec-
ification, reface drum. (Runout should not exceed
0.1524 mm or 0.006 inch). The diameter variation
(oval shape) of the drum braking surface must not
exceed either 0.0635 mm (0.0025 inch) in 30É or
0.0889 mm (0.0035 inch) in 360É.All brake drums are marked with the maximum
allowable brake drum diameter (Fig. 44).
PARK BRAKE LEVER AUTO ADJUSTER
MECHANISM
WARNING: THE AUTO ADJUSTING FEATURE OF
THIS PARKING BRAKE LEVER CONTAINS A CLOCK
SPRING LOADED TO APPROXIMATELY 20 POUNDS.
DO NOT RELEASE THE AUTO ADJUSTER LOCK-
OUT DEVICE BEFORE INSTALLING CABLES INTO
THE EQUALIZER. KEEP HANDS OUT OF AUTO
ADJUSTER SECTOR AND PAWL AREA. FAILURE TO
OBSERVE CAUTION IN HANDLING THIS MECHA-
NISM COULD LEAD TO SERIOUS INJURY.
WARNING: WHEN REPAIRS TO THE PARK BRAKE
LEVER OR CABLES IS REQUIRED, THE AUTO
ADJUSTER MUST BE RELOADED AND LOCKED
OUT.
Fig. 43 Minimum Brake Rotor Thickness Markings
(Typical)
BRAKE ROTOR REFINISHING LIMITS
Braking RotorRotor
ThicknessMinimum
Rotor
ThicknessRotor
Thickness
VariationRotor Run
Out*Rotor Micro
Finish
All Front Disc Brakes 20.13-19.87
mm
.792 -.782
in.18.4 mm
.724 in.0.013 mm
0.0005 in.0.13 mm
0.005 in.15-80 RMS
All Rear Disc Brakes 9.25-8.75
mm.364
-.344 in.7.25 mm
.285 in.0.013 mm
0.0005 in.0.13 mm
0.005 in.15-80 RMS
*
TIR Total Indicator Reading (Measured On Vehicle)
Fig. 44 Brake Drum Maximum Diameter
Identification
PLBRAKES 5 - 23
SERVICE PROCEDURES (Continued)

FRONT DISC BRAKE SHOES
WARNING: ALTHOUGH FACTORY INSTALLED
BRAKELININGS ARE MADE FROM ASBESTOS
FREE MATERIALS, SOME AFTER MARKET BRAKE-
LINING MAY CONTAIN ASBESTOS. THIS SHOULD
BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT WHEN SERVICING A
VEHICLE'S BRAKE SYSTEM, WHEN AFTERMARKET
BRAKELININGS MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ON
THE VEHICLE. ALWAYS WEAR A RESPIRATOR
WHEN CLEANING BRAKE COMPONENTS AS
ASBESTOS CAN CAUSE SERIOUS BODILY HARM
SUCH AS ASBESTOSIS AND OR CANCER. NEVER
CLEAN BRAKE COMPONENTS BY USING COM-
PRESSED AIR, USE ONLY A VACUUM CLEANER
SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR THE REMOVAL OF
BRAKE DUST. IF A VACUUM CLEANER IS NOT
AVAILABLE, CLEAN BRAKE PARTS USING ONLY
WATER DAMPENED SHOP TOWELS. DO NOT CRE-
ATE BRAKELINING DUST BY SANDING BRAKE LIN-
INGS WHEN SERVICING A VEHICLE. DISPOSE OF
ALL DUST AND DIRT SUSPECTED OF CONTAINING
ASBESTOS FIBERS USING ONLY SEALED AIR-
TIGHT BAGS OR CONTAINERS. FOLLOW ALL REC-
OMMENDED SAFETY PRACTICES PRESCRIBED BY
THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMIN-
ISTRATION (OSHA) AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA), FOR HANDLING AND
DISPOSAL OF PRODUCTS CONTAINING ASBES-
TOS.
During service procedures, grease or any other for-
eign material must be kept off caliper assembly, sur-
faces of braking rotor and external surfaces of hub.
Handling of the brake rotor and caliper should be
done in such a way as to avoid deformation of the
rotor and scratching or nicking of the brake linings.
If inspection reveals that the square sectioned cal-
iper piston seal is worn or damaged, it should be
replaced immediately.
During removal and installation of a wheel and
tire, use care not to strike the caliper.
NOTE: Before vehicle is moved after any brake
service work, pump the brake pedal several times
to insure the vehicle has a firm brake pedal.
NOTE: Starting with the 1998 model year, different
lining material is used on the disc brake shoes
depending on the type of brake system the vehicle
is equipped with. Vehicles equipped with standard
front disc and rear drum brakes use a new lining
material on the front disc brake shoes. Vehicles that
are equipped with optional 4 wheel disc brakes use
a new lining material on both the front and rear disc
brake shoes. When new brake shoes are installed,be sure brake shoes for the correct model year and
type of brake system the vehicle is equipped with
are used.
REMOVE
(1) Raise vehicle on jackstands or centered on a
hoist. See Hoisting in the Lubrication and Mainte-
nance section of this manual.
(2) Remove the front wheel and tire assemblies
from vehicle.
(3) Remove the 2 guide pin bolts (Fig. 60) mount-
ing the caliper to the steering knuckle.
(4) Remove brake caliper from steering knuckle, by
first rotating free end of caliper away from steering
knuckle. Then slide opposite end of caliper out from
under machined abutment on steering knuckle (Fig.
61).
(5) Support caliper firmly to prevent weight of cal-
iper from damaging the flexible brake hose (Fig. 62).
Fig. 60 Caliper Guide Pin Bolts
Fig. 61 Removing Caliper From Steering Knuckle
5 - 28 BRAKESPL
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

(4) Carefully lower caliper and brake shoe assem-
blies over braking disc (rotor) reversing the required
removal procedure (Fig. 71). Make sure that the cal-
iper guide pin bolts, bushings and sleeves are clear of
the adapter bosses.
CAUTION: Extreme caution should be taken not to
cross thread the caliper guide pin bolts when they
are installed.
(5) Install caliper assembly guide pin bolts into
adapter and tighten (Fig. 70). Then torque both guide
pin bolts to 22 N´m (192 in. lbs.).
(6) Install the wheel and tire assembly.
(7) Tighten the wheel mounting stud nuts in
proper sequence until all nuts are torqued to half
specification. Then repeat the tightening sequence to
the full specified torque of 135 N´m (100 ft. lbs.).
(8) Remove jackstands or lower hoist.Before
moving vehicle, pump the brake pedal several
times to insure the vehicle has a firm brake
pedal.
(9) Road test the vehicle and make several stops to
wear off any foreign material on the brakes and to
seat the brake pads.
REAR DISC BRAKE SHOES
WARNING: ALTHOUGH FACTORY INSTALLED
BRAKELININGS ARE MADE FROM ASBESTOS
FREE MATERIALS, SOME AFTER MARKET BRAKE-
LINING MAY CONTAIN ASBESTOS. THIS SHOULD
BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT WHEN SERVICING A
VEHICLE'S BRAKE SYSTEM, WHEN AFTERMARKET
BRAKELININGS MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ON
THE VEHICLE. ALWAYS WEAR A RESPIRATOR
WHEN CLEANING BRAKE COMPONENTS AS
ASBESTOS CAN CAUSE SERIOUS BODILY HARM
SUCH AS ASBESTOSIS AND OR CANCER. NEVER
CLEAN BRAKE COMPONENTS BY USING COM-
PRESSED AIR, USE ONLY A VACUUM CLEANER
SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR THE REMOVAL OF
BRAKE DUST. IF A VACUUM CLEANER IS NOT
AVAILABLE, CLEAN BRAKE PARTS USING ONLY
WATER DAMPENED SHOP TOWELS. DO NOT CRE-
ATE BRAKELINING DUST BY SANDING BRAKE LIN-
INGS WHEN SERVICING A VEHICLE. DISPOSE OF
ALL DUST AND DIRT SUSPECTED OF CONTAINING
ASBESTOS FIBERS USING ONLY SEALED AIR-
TIGHT BAGS OR CONTAINERS. FOLLOW ALL REC-
OMMENDED SAFETY PRACTICES PRESCRIBED BY
THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMIN-
ISTRATION (OSHA) AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA), FOR HANDLING AND
DISPOSAL OF PRODUCTS CONTAINING ASBES-
TOS.During service procedures, grease or any other for-
eign material must be kept off caliper assembly, sur-
faces of braking rotor and external surfaces of hub.
Handling of the braking rotor and caliper should
be done in such a way as to avoid deformation of the
rotor and scratching or nicking of the brake linings.
If inspection reveals that the square sectioned cal-
iper piston seal is worn or damaged, it should be
replaced immediately.
During removal and installation of a wheel and
tire assembly, use care not to strike the caliper.
NOTE: Before vehicle is moved after any brake
service work, pump the brake pedal several times
to insure the vehicle has a firm brake pedal.
NOTE: Starting with the 1998 model year, different
lining material is used on the rear disc brake shoes.
Vehicles equipped with optional 4 wheel disc
brakes use a new lining material on the rear disc
brake shoes than prior model year vehicles
equipped with this brake system. When new brake
shoes are installed, be sure brake shoes for the
correct model year and type of brake system the
vehicle is equipped with are used.REMOVE
(1) Raise vehicle on jackstands or centered on a
hoist. See Hoisting in the Lubrication and Mainte-
nance section of this manual.
(2) Remove rear wheel and tire assemblies from
vehicle.
(3) Remove the 2 caliper assembly to adapter
guide pin bolts (Fig. 74).
(4) Remove caliper assembly from adapter and
rotor by first rotating top of caliper assembly away
Fig. 74 Caliper Assembly Guide Pin Bolts
5 - 32 BRAKESPL
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

PARK BRAKE LEVER ASSEMBLY
WARNING: THE AUTO ADJUSTING FEATURE OF
THIS PARKING BRAKE LEVER ASSEMBLY CON-
TAINS A CLOCK SPRING LOADED TO APPROXI-
MATELY 20 POUNDS. DO NOT RELEASE THE AUTO
ADJUSTER LOCKOUT DEVICE BEFORE INSTALL-
ING CABLES INTO THE EQUALIZER. KEEP HANDS
OUT OF AUTO ADJUSTER SECTOR AND PAWL
AREA. FAILURE TO OBSERVE CAUTION IN HAN-
DLING THIS MECHANISM COULD LEAD TO SERI-
OUS INJURY.
REMOVE
(1) Remove the screws attaching the rear of the
center console assembly to console bracket (Fig. 127)
or (Fig. 128).(2) Remove the 2 screws located in cup holders
(Fig. 129), attaching front of center console assembly
to console bracket.
(3) Raise park brake hand lever as high as it will
go to get the required clearance to remove the center
console.
(4) Remove center console assembly.
WARNING: WHEN REPAIRS TO THE PARK BRAKE
HAND LEVER ASSEMBLY OR CABLES IS
REQUIRED, THE AUTO ADJUSTER MUST BE
RELOADED AND LOCKED OUT.
(5) Lower park brake lever handle.
(6) Grasp park brake lever output cable by hand
and pull rearward (Fig. 130). Continue pulling on
cable until a 3/16 in. drill bit can be inserted into
handle and sector gear of park brake mechanism
(Fig. 130). This will lock the park brake mechanism
and take tension off park brake cables.
Fig. 126 Non-ABS Proportioning Valve Locations On
Master Cylinder
Fig. 127 Center Console Rear Attaching Screws W/O
Arm Rest
Fig. 128 Center Console Rear Attaching Screws
With Arm Rest
Fig. 129 Attaching Screws At Front Of Center
Console
5 - 48 BRAKESPL
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

(7) Remove both rear park brake cables from the
park brake cable equalizer (Fig. 131).
(8) Remove wiring harness electrical connector for
brake warning light ground from the park brake
lever (Fig. 132).
(9) Remove the 2 nuts (Fig. 133) attaching the
park brake lever to the console bracket. Remove park
brake lever mechanism from vehicle.
INSTALL
(1) Place park brake lever on console bracket.
Install and securely tighten the 2 attaching nuts
(Fig. 133).
(2) Install both rear park brake cables into equal-
izer on park brake lever output cable (Fig. 131).
(3) Ensure that park brake cable is correctly
installed and aligned with cable track on park brake
lever.
(4) Firmly grasp park brake lever locking pin (Fig.
134) and quickly remove it from the park brake levermechanism. This will allow the park brake lever
mechanism to correctly adjust the park brake cables.
(5) Connect electrical connector for brake warning
lamp onto terminal on park brake lever assembly
(Fig. 132).
(6) Cycle park brake lever once to position park
brake cables. Then return the park brake lever its
released position. Check the rear wheels of the vehi-
cle. They should rotate freely without dragging.
(7) Raise park brake lever to its fully engaged
position. This is necessary to allow installation of the
center console.
(8) Install center console assembly.
(9) Install the 4 center console assembly attaching
screws (Fig. 127), (Fig. 128) and (Fig. 129).
PARK BRAKE LEVER OUTPUT CABLE
On this vehicle, the park brake lever output cable
(Fig. 135), is not replaceable as a separate component
Fig. 130 Locking Pin Installed In Park Brake
Mechanism
Fig. 131 Park Brake Cables At Equalizer
Fig. 132 Brake Warning Lamp Connection To Park
Brake Lever
Fig. 133 Park Brake Lever Attachment To Console
Bracket
PLBRAKES 5 - 49
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

of the park brake lever. The park brake lever output
cable (Fig. 135) should never be attempted to be
repaired in any manner. Follow the require proce-
dures under park brake lever removal and replace-
ment when servicing a park brake lever output cable.
PARK BRAKE CABLES
NOTE: Note: Remove only one rear park brake
cable from rear brakes at a time. Failure to do so
will result in high efforts required to connect park
brake cables to equalizer or park brake lever at rear
wheel brakes.
For installation of the rear park brake cables fol-
low the procedure as listed below.
REMOVE
(1) Remove screws attaching rear of center console
assembly to floor pan of vehicle (Fig. 136) or (Fig.
137).(2) Remove the 2 screws located in cup holders
(Fig. 138) attaching front of center console to console
bracket.
(3) Raise park brake lever as high as it will go for
the clearance required to remove the center console.
(4) Remove center console assembly from vehicle.
WARNING: WHEN REPAIRS TO THE PARK BRAKE
HAND LEVER ASSEMBLY OR CABLES IS
REQUIRED, THE AUTO ADJUSTER MUST BE
RELOADED AND LOCKED OUT.
(5) Lower park brake lever handle.
(6) Grasp park lever output cable by hand and pull
rearward (Fig. 139). Continue pulling on cable until a
3/16 in. drill bit can be inserted into handle and sec-
tor gear of park brake mechanism (Fig. 139). This
will lock the park brake mechanism and take tension
off park brake cables.
Fig. 134 Removing Lockout Pin From Park Brake
Lever Assembly
Fig. 135 Brake Lever Assembly And Output Cable
Fig. 136 Center Console W/O Arm Rest Rear
Attaching Screws
Fig. 137 Center Console With Arm Rest Rear
Attaching Screws
5 - 50 BRAKESPL
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

sleeve (Fig. 176). Be sure other end of bushing did
not come out of seal grove in sleeve.
(8) When the sleeve is seated properly into the
bushing, the sealed for life sleeve/bushing can be
held between your fingers and easily slid back and
forth without the bushing unseating from the sleeve
groove.CALIPER DISASSEMBLY
WARNING: UNDER NO CONDITION SHOULD AIR
PRESSURE EVER BE USED TO REMOVE A PISTON
FROM A CALIPER BORE. PERSONAL INJURY
COULD RESULT FROM SUCH A PRACTICE.
(1) Remove caliper from brake rotor (See Brake
Shoe Removal). Hang assembly on a wire hook away
Fig. 173 Installing Caliper Guide Pin Bushing
Fig. 174 Bushing Correctly Installed In Caliper
Fig. 175 Installing Sleeve In Bushing
Fig. 176 Correctly Installed Caliper Sleeve And
Bushing
5 - 60 BRAKESPL
DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY (Continued)