Dodge Nitro. Manual - part 353

Contaminated lining in one caliper  

Seized caliper piston  

Binding caliper  

Loose caliper  

Rusty caliper slide surfaces  

Improper brake shoes  

Damaged rotor  

A worn, damaged wheel bearing or suspension component are further causes of pull. A damaged front tire 
(bruised, ply separation) can also cause pull. 

A common and frequently misdiagnosed pull condition is where direction of pull changes after a few stops. The 
cause is a combination of brake drag followed by fade at one of the brake units. 

As the dragging brake overheats, efficiency is so reduced that fade occurs. Since the opposite brake unit is still 
functioning normally, its braking effect is magnified. This causes pull to switch direction in favor of the 
normally functioning brake unit. 

An additional point when diagnosing a change in pull condition concerns brake cool down. Remember that pull 
will return to the original direction, if the dragging brake unit is allowed to cool down (and is not seriously 
damaged). 

REAR BRAKE GRAB OR PULL 

Rear grab or pull is usually caused by improperly adjusted or seized parking brake cables, contaminated lining, 
bent or binding shoes and support plates, or improperly assembled components. This is particularly true when 
only one rear wheel is involved. However, when both rear wheels are affected, the master cylinder or 
proportioning valve could be at fault. 

BRAKES DO NOT HOLD AFTER DRIVING THROUGH DEEP WATER PUDDLES 

This condition is generally caused by water soaked lining. If the lining is only wet, it can be dried by driving 
with the brakes very lightly applied for a mile or two. However, if the lining is both soaked and dirt 
contaminated, cleaning and/or replacement will be necessary. 

BRAKE LINING CONTAMINATION 

Brake lining contamination is mostly a product of leaking calipers, worn seals, driving through deep water 
puddles, or lining that has become covered with grease and grit during repair. Contaminated lining should be 
replaced to avoid further brake problems. 

WHEEL AND TIRE PROBLEMS 

Some conditions attributed to brake components may actually be caused by a wheel or tire problem. 

A damaged wheel can cause shudder, vibration and pull. A worn or damaged tire can also cause pull.

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 BRAKES Base - Service Information - Nitro

  

Severely worn tires with very little tread left can produce a grab-like condition as the tire loses and recovers 
traction. Flat-spotted tires can cause vibration and generate shudder during brake operation. A tire with internal 
damage such as a severe bruise, cut, or ply separation can cause pull and vibration. 

BRAKE NOISES 

Some brake noise is common with some disc brakes during the first few stops after a vehicle has been parked 
overnight or stored. This is primarily due to the formation of trace corrosion (light rust) on metal surfaces. This 
light corrosion is typically cleared from the metal surfaces after a few brake applications causing the noise to 
subside. 

BRAKE SQUEAK/SQUEAL 

Brake squeak or squeal may be due to linings that are wet or contaminated with brake fluid, grease, or oil. 
Glazed linings and rotors with hard spots can also contribute to squeak. Dirt and foreign material embedded in 
the brake lining will also cause squeak/squeal. 

A very loud squeak or squeal is frequently a sign of severely worn brake lining. If the lining has worn through 
to the brake shoes in spots, metal-to-metal contact occurs. If the condition is allowed to continue, rotors and 
drums can become so scored that replacement is necessary. 

BRAKE CHATTER 

Brake chatter is usually caused by loose or worn components, or glazed/burnt lining. Rotors with hard spots can 
also contribute to chatter. Additional causes of chatter are out-of-tolerance rotors, brake lining not securely 
attached to the shoes, loose wheel bearings and contaminated brake lining. 

THUMP/CLUNK NOISE 

Thumping or clunk noises during braking are frequently not caused by brake components. In many cases, such 
noises are caused by loose or damaged steering, suspension, or engine components. However, calipers that bind 
on the slide surfaces can generate a thump or clunk noise. 

STANDARD PROCEDURE 

PRESSURE BLEEDING - BASE BRAKES 

Use Mopar brake fluid, or an equivalent quality fluid meeting SAE J1703-F and DOT 3 standards only. Use 
fresh, clean fluid from a sealed container at all times. 

Do not pump the brake pedal at any time while bleeding. Air in the system will be compressed into small 
bubbles that are distributed throughout the hydraulic system. This will make additional bleeding operations 
necessary. 

Do not allow the master cylinder to run out of fluid during bleed operations. An empty cylinder will allow 
additional air to be drawn into the system. Check the cylinder fluid level frequently and add fluid as needed. 

Bleed only one brake component at a time in the following sequence:

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 BRAKES Base - Service Information - Nitro

  

Master Cylinder  

Right Rear Wheel  

Left Rear Wheel  

Right Front Wheel  

Left Front Wheel  

Follow the manufacturers instructions carefully when using pressure equipment. Do not exceed the tank 
manufacturers pressure recommendations. Generally, a tank pressure of 103-139 kPa (15-20 psi) is sufficient 
for bleeding. 

Fill the bleeder tank with recommended fluid and purge air from the tank lines before bleeding. 

Do not pressure bleed without a proper master cylinder adapter. The wrong adapter can lead to leakage, or 
drawing air back into the system. Use adapter provided with the equipment or Adapter 6921. 

MANUAL BLEEDING 

Use Mopar brake fluid, or an equivalent quality fluid meeting SAE J1703-F and DOT 3 standards only. Use 
fresh, clean fluid from a sealed container at all times. 

Do not pump the brake pedal at any time while bleeding. Air in the system will be compressed into small 
bubbles that are distributed throughout the hydraulic system. This will make additional bleeding operations 
necessary. 

Do not allow the master cylinder to run out of fluid during bleed operations. An empty cylinder will allow 
additional air to be drawn into the system. Check the cylinder fluid level frequently and add fluid as needed. 

Bleed only one brake component at a time in the following sequence: 

Master Cylinder  

Junction Block  

Right Rear Wheel  

Left Rear Wheel  

Right Front Wheel  

Left Front Wheel  

1. Remove reservoir filler caps and fill reservoir.  

2. If calipers were overhauled, open all caliper bleed screws. Then close each bleed screw as fluid starts to 

drip from it. Top off master cylinder reservoir once more before proceeding. 

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 BRAKES Base - Service Information - Nitro

  

Fig. 1: Bleed Hose Setup 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

3. Attach one end of bleed hose to bleed screw and insert opposite end in glass container partially filled with 

brake fluid. Be sure end of bleed hose is immersed in fluid.  

4. Open up bleeder, then have a helper press down the brake pedal. Once the pedal is down close the 

bleeder. Repeat bleeding until fluid stream is clear and free of bubbles. Then move to the next wheel.  

SPECIFICATIONS 

BASE BRAKES 

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 BRAKES Base - Service Information - Nitro