Braking Issue

[Jim McClain]

I'm asking about this because I'm not sure it's normal. In previously driven automobiles, when I apply my brakes as I come upon a stop light, I generally apply steady, gentle pressure to the pedal and the car slows in direct relation to my foot pressure. As I get closer to the light or back of a car, I apply just enough more pressure to come to a complete stop. I don't do quick stops.

Since I got the 2005 KJ Limited, the braking is much different. I want to stop in the same manner, but the brake seems to have a mind of its own. I apply gentle pressure to slow, and the Jeep does, but soon the brake calipers seem to grip tighter on their own and I have to release pressure to slow the stop. It's as if some other force was applying the brakes harder, against my will.

Is this normal?

Jim

 

[dude1116]

You could be feeling the transmission downshifting to compensate for the reduced speed.

 

[Jim McClain]

I don't think that's what it is, but I'll pay particular attention to that as I drive it today. I do know it does it even when I am coming to a stop at the corner just 50 yards from my own driveway - that distance shouldn't be enough for the Jeep to up-shift, therefore no down-shift necessary.

Thanks,

Jim

 

[LibertyTC]

Do you have ABS? Rotors clean/no grooves? What pads?
All I know is my heavy KJ had all slip and no grip depending on what material the pads were.
Dealer used organic when i first bought Jeep, then changed to ceramic, and finally to semi-metallic & turned rotors, which work well.

 

[Jim McClain]

Do you have ABS? Rotors clean/no grooves?

Yes and yes.

What pads?

Wouldn't know the answer to that. All servicing by previous owner was done at a Chrysler dealership.


Jim

 

[M38 Bob]

I drive a dozen or so customer cars per day. No two of em have the same "feel".

Bob

 

[CactusJacked]

My brakes grab gradually in conjunction to foot pressure, without over-grabbing like a mind of it's own. I consider myself to be "normal" so no, I'd say what you're getting isn't normal.
You could have a caliper that's hanging up.

 

[renegade 04]

I just had to replace a caliper that was completely seized to the point that when I went to replace it, I had the pry it off.

 

[Jim McClain]

I drive a dozen or so customer cars per day. No two of em have the same "feel".

Bob

And this may be my problem. Ten years ago I had multiple vehicles and drove most of them (had a flooring business and supplied the vans for installation crews), so I understand this. But for the last 10 years, I've only driven one minivan and nothing else. Now I have a new ride and it's a lot different than my minivan and I'm just having trouble getting used to it.

So far today, the brakes don't feel like they are as much the problem as I am. The calipers all grip about the same (the fronts have a bit more power than the rears, as they should). There's no pull left or right. I did notice that the drop to a lower gear has much more compression behind it than my minivan did, so this may have been part of what I was experiencing. The stop sign near my driveway doesn't display this gradual increase in braking that I thought it did.

I wouldn't go so far as to say this is a false alarm, but what I seem to be experiencing is apparently normal. The brakes on the KJ are stronger, so is the engine compression. Nearly everything about this vehicle is different than my 2001 Chrysler T&C. I hope this thread will serve as a way to ease others' minds who may experience the same trepidation I do.

I continue to be very happy with my new ride. Thank you for all the comments and dedication so many members of JeepKJ.com have in helping guys like me and other enthusiasts in the world of jeepin'.

Jim

 

[ouroboros]

If you get a chance, check pad wear and if you can... Mic the rotors too. Might be small measurements but could lead to some sort of findings for you. Be sure to check the in board pads as some people don't and it could be a dead give-a-way of slide pins hanging up. Simple matter if that's all it is, undo 'em, lube 'em and put 'em back. I use sil-glyde on mine.

 

[belvedere]

The KJ definitely has a different feel as it comes to a stop. Like dude1116 said, I think it is actually caused by the transmission. Some people describe it as feeling like the Jeep had been lightly bumped from behind. I'm not sure that's how I'd describe it, but it does feel different than any of my other vehicles.