PT Cruiser Brake experience

Hi there..
I have a 2002 PT Limited. I followed this group about 2 years ago and saw
where Cruiser brakes went away in approximately 30,000 mi. I think that's
what I remember.

I felt the car had excellent stopping ability and so if the brakes went away
a bit early, Oh well!

I have been noticing a slight intermittent scraping noise coming from the
right rear drum.

To day I went to the dealer and asked about it. He asked me how many miles
the car had and I replied 40,000 and it has not had a brake job as yet. I
have an appointment for Monday morning.

He was very surprised I could still drive the car because he said 18,000
miles was typical for a brake job. *Smile

He then asked if I was driving a stick shift. I said I was; and then he
said that explains it, except even so my mileage was exceptional.

Anyhow, apparently a stick shift gets a lot more out of the brakes.
Thought you all might like to know that.

Best regards,

Stan-

 

I have 41k on a 2001, with Automatic and rear drums. I can't imagine having
to a rear brake job at 18k; the rear don't do nearly the work the fronts do.
I do occasionally get a grinding noise in the rear drums; however, both
times I had it checked out, it was a buildup of brake dust. Dump the dust
out, put the drum back on and it's good for another few months before the
noise returns.


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Thank you!

I'll remove it tomorrow and see how mine is. *Smile

Best regards,

Stan-

 

Unless that dealers customers live on top of a mountain he is crazy, rear
brakes will out last the front at least 2 to one and then even more!!!. and
yes assuming that you down shift with the manual trans it will allow the
front and rear brakes to last longer

Glenn Beasley
Chrysler Tech

 

Even without deliberately downshifting, I find myself using the brakes a
lot more on automatic-equipped cars due to the lack of compression braking.

nate

 

<He was very surprised I could still drive the car because he said 18,000
miles was typical for a brake job. *Smile

He then asked if I was driving a stick shift. I said I was; and then he
said that explains it, except even so my mileage was exceptional.

Anyhow, apparently a stick shift gets a lot more out of the brakes.
Thought you all might like to know that.>
===============================================
So far all of you have missed two VERY OBVIOUS CONDITIONS:
WHERE YOU LIVE! and HOW YOU DRIVE
I have a 2001 5 speed PT ( used to have a 92 5 speed Loyale, 128K on
original brakes and a 5 speed tercel 99K on original brakes and 188K total
miles before coastal cancer ate it) and so far have 45K on it with the only
noise from the dust in the right rear drum.
I can drive 65 miles east with only one light to brake for, 16 north with
only one stop sign, and south for about 30 miles before a light.
I ALWAYS gear down, and much to the chagrin of my neighbors to south (CAL)
DO NOT FLOOR IT, so I can SCREECH to a STOP at the next light about 2 blocks
away.
When I approach my turn to go west to the beach, with no traffic behind me,
I usually do not need to even apply the brakes to turn as the gears slow me
down enough.
=====================================
Driving techniques play a very important in all aspects of longevity of the
components.
With the above mentioned miles of travel, I CHANGE THE OIL and FILTER
FAITHFULLY every 6 to 9 THOUSAND MILES.
So far all of the above vehicles mentioned have not EVER had ANY ENGINE WORK
DONE.

BTB MPG is usually around 27 average! AND I DO HAVE A LEAD FOOT for TOP END
SPEED, I do not expect blistering acceleration from 150 HP and a weight of
about 3,300 LBS, and of course DO NOT GET IT.
Last rocket I owned was a 1965 COMET with a transplanted 351CU CLEVELAND
ENGINE and a few speed goodies added......way back in my YOUTH!

h

 

Don't brag too much until you get the bill for an early clutch
replacement from all that down-shifting

 

Thanks...

Probably a good observation.

Regards,

Stan-