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4 Wheel Drive/SUVs/95 Jeep Cherokee Country - brake problem

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Expert: - 11/15/2004


Question
I have a weird problem with my brakes when it rains.  This happens when I drive out of my driveway and coming to a stop.  The jeeps brakes don't seem to lock up and I slide and also there is a bad thumping sound after the brakes are depressed. I was told that the brakes will "dry out" and not have this problem after using them.  Why is this doing this and what can I do to prevent it????  

Answer
Bobbie,

This may be occurring due to hard brake pads/shoes, warped rotors, or a leaky brake cylinder causing brake fluid to leak onto the brakes.  I would try to find a reputable brake shop, and have the brakes checked.  Brakes can do some funny things when wet, but the amount of water it would take to cause this shouldn't be caused by rain.  I would be concerned about the condition of the brakes, especially with the thumping sound.

Brakes can grab, and be touchy when you through streams, or any deep water.  When you do this, you should dry out the brakes, by riding the brake pedal slightly to warm up the brakes.

Caral

4 Wheel Drive/SUVs

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Carl Brandt

Expertise

Will discuss suspensions, lifts, lockers along with tire suggestions. Trail ratings and possible requirements needed for specific type of trails. Safety equipment and what you should carry with you. Certified off-road instructor. I am not a mechanic, and 4-Wheeling is a hobby, so if I can't answer a technical question it is due to my mechanical knowledge being related to vehicles that I have owned, or have worked on. I do not have manuals on all vehicles.

Experience

40 plus years of 4 wheeling in a variety of vehicles. At the present time, my major off-road rig is a 94 Jeep Wrangler with a spring over and a 1 1/2" suspension lift. This gives me a total lift of 7" or so. I have lockers front and rear. I have removed the track bars, and sway bar for maximum articulation. I am running a stock 2.5 ltr 4 cylinder with a Jacobs ignition along with a cold air high flow filter. It has 4.56:1 gears with a Dodge NV4500 transmission along with a 3.8:1 Atlas II transfer case. This gives me a final ratio of 105:1 in low gear/low range. Other vehicles I own, are a 96 Ford F-250 with a 6" lift, posi rear end, 36" Hummer tires, 5 speed with a fuel injected 460 ci engine, an 87 Samurai with an 8" lift, Ford 9" rear end with a spool, Chevy Dana 44 front end with an electric locker, 5.88 gears, 16% reduction in high range and a 6.5:1 low range with 35" Baja Claws, and a stock 2003 Grand Cherokee Overland. Trails I have run are the Rubicon (10 times), Dusey Ershim, Fordyce Creek trail, McGrew trail, several trails in Moab, Utah along with local monthly runs.

Organizations
Lost Coast 4x4's Cal 4-Wheel Corva UFWDA Blue Ribbon Coalition

Education/Credentials
Certified off-road instructor - Certificates in engineering/electronics

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