I have been having brake issues with my neon. My front driver side caliper was hanging up so I replaced it, along with pads (on that side only) and bled the caliper. I drove it to work this morning and the brakes on that side were smoking badly! I got it to the parking lot, but I'm not sure what the problem is. I've heard it could be that the pads are uneven on either side so the driver side are wearing more, or that the caliper isn't releasing. If the caliper isn't releasing then what could I have done wrong when I relaced it? also, can I drive it back home tonight (about 8 miles with many lights)?
rice_eater
08-27-2007, 12:11 PM
Brake line collapsed. It'll let fluid through to lock the caliper, but not back through to release it. Happened on my '97.
mayjen82
08-27-2007, 12:35 PM
Do you think I can limp it home somehow? Can I let the fluid out of the bleeder and somehow only have one front brake? or use my e-brake (I've done that with other cars on short "get it home" trips). It's only a few miles to my house, then I can fix it the right way.
Thanks!
rice_eater
08-28-2007, 01:11 AM
Are they hanging up that badly that you can't drive it? I drove mine for a couple weeks before I even found the problem. I just knew it pulled right and smelled like burnt brakes all the time LOL. Honestly if your brake is stuck so hard you cant drive it you may have a caliper issue. Where did you get the caliper from?
mayjen82
08-28-2007, 08:09 AM
I was having the hang up problem for a while, that's why I changed the caliper in the first place (I bought it at Pep Boys). It was hanging up so bad yesterday that the smoke was billowing from the driver side (for a minute I thought it might be in fire). I got it home by losening the bolt with the hole in it that holds the brake hose to the caliper just enough to give the caliper fluid a place to go after braking. Filled up the brake fluid and drove it home slow. I replaced that hose last night and it fixed the problem.
Thanks a lot!
