Nelson

Did you read the first page of this thread? I explained every step of the problems the car had and how I fixed it. Long story short, one of the rear calipers was not working, the piston was not squeezing the brake pad against the rotor. I don’t know what caused it to fail or how it caused a low pedal but it was the problem and a new caliper fixed it. The car is still driving around today with a good firm brake pedal. 

If the problem started right after having the rear brakes worked on then the problem is most likely with the rear brakes unless something else happened coincidently (unlikely but possible). I would unbolt one of the rear calipers and have a helper push the pedal a few times while you watch the piston, it should slowly move outward with each pump of the pedal. Check them both one at a time. 
 
I’d also inspect all the rubber caliper hoses for bulging with the engine running and a helper holding the brake pedal down. You could also take a piece of brake line and loop the lines at the master cylinder (I mentioned this in my first post in this thread), if the pedal feels good then you know the master cylinder is good. 
 
It’s likely the problem is with the rear calipers. I’m not a fan of this style where the pistons screws in and out, I’ve seen many of them seize up during normal brake service like changing pads, on many cars not just Dodge Journeys. Let us know what you find. 

Hey buddy just wanted to let you know I fixed the Journey today. Turns out the problem was the passenger side rear caliper. I took the wheel off and noticed a gap between the piston and inner brake pad suggesting that the piston was stuck and not applying the brakes on that corner.  I installed a new caliper, bled the brakes and now have a good firm pedal, stops like brand new. 
 
Definitely a learning experience for me. Would never have guessed a stuck caliper could cause a soft pedal. A good way to find if you have the same problem would be to unbolt one caliper at a time and have a helper push the brake pedal and see if the piston moves. I’ve used this method in the past to find bad calipers but didn’t bother on this car because I assumed it couldn’t be the problem. Live and learn. Good luck with your car!

If the problem started right after having the rear brakes worked on then the problem is most likely with the rear brakes unless something else happened coincidently (unlikely but possible). I would unbolt one of the rear calipers and have a helper push the pedal a few times while you watch the piston, it should slowly move outward with each pump of the pedal. Check them both one at a time. 
 
I’d also inspect all the rubber caliper hoses for bulging with the engine running and a helper holding the brake pedal down. You could also take a piece of brake line and loop the lines at the master cylinder (I mentioned this in my first post in this thread), if the pedal feels good then you know the master cylinder is good. 
 
It’s likely the problem is with the rear calipers. I’m not a fan of this style where the pistons screws in and out, I’ve seen many of them seize up during normal brake service like changing pads, on many cars not just Dodge Journeys. Let us know what you find. 

Hey buddy just wanted to let you know I fixed the Journey today. Turns out the problem was the passenger side rear caliper. I took the wheel off and noticed a gap between the piston and inner brake pad suggesting that the piston was stuck and not applying the brakes on that corner.  I installed a new caliper, bled the brakes and now have a good firm pedal, stops like brand new. 
 
Definitely a learning experience for me. Would never have guessed a stuck caliper could cause a soft pedal. A good way to find if you have the same problem would be to unbolt one caliper at a time and have a helper push the brake pedal and see if the piston moves. I’ve used this method in the past to find bad calipers but didn’t bother on this car because I assumed it couldn’t be the problem. Live and learn. Good luck with your car!

Hey buddy just wanted to let you know I fixed the Journey today. Turns out the problem was the passenger side rear caliper. I took the wheel off and noticed a gap between the piston and inner brake pad suggesting that the piston was stuck and not applying the brakes on that corner.  I installed a new caliper, bled the brakes and now have a good firm pedal, stops like brand new. 
 
Definitely a learning experience for me. Would never have guessed a stuck caliper could cause a soft pedal. A good way to find if you have the same problem would be to unbolt one caliper at a time and have a helper push the brake pedal and see if the piston moves. I’ve used this method in the past to find bad calipers but didn’t bother on this car because I assumed it couldn’t be the problem. Live and learn. Good luck with your car!

Hey buddy just wanted to let you know I fixed the Journey today. Turns out the problem was the passenger side rear caliper. I took the wheel off and noticed a gap between the piston and inner brake pad suggesting that the piston was stuck and not applying the brakes on that corner.  I installed a new caliper, bled the brakes and now have a good firm pedal, stops like brand new. 
 
Definitely a learning experience for me. Would never have guessed a stuck caliper could cause a soft pedal. A good way to find if you have the same problem would be to unbolt one caliper at a time and have a helper push the brake pedal and see if the piston moves. I’ve used this method in the past to find bad calipers but didn’t bother on this car because I assumed it couldn’t be the problem. Live and learn. Good luck with your car!

Hey buddy just wanted to let you know I fixed the Journey today. Turns out the problem was the passenger side rear caliper. I took the wheel off and noticed a gap between the piston and inner brake pad suggesting that the piston was stuck and not applying the brakes on that corner.  I installed a new caliper, bled the brakes and now have a good firm pedal, stops like brand new. 
 
Definitely a learning experience for me. Would never have guessed a stuck caliper could cause a soft pedal. A good way to find if you have the same problem would be to unbolt one caliper at a time and have a helper push the brake pedal and see if the piston moves. I’ve used this method in the past to find bad calipers but didn’t bother on this car because I assumed it couldn’t be the problem. Live and learn. Good luck with your car!

Nope, sorry. I reinstalled the original abs unit, ran the pump, bled all four wheels multiple times all with no improvement from how it was when the car was brought to me.
 
There’s no warning lights on the dash except the tire pressure indicator light and I’ve checked the tire pressures, they are fine. Speedometer is working again with the original abs unit installed. I don’t think the abs is to blame since it works fine and the pedal firms up when the pump runs. 
 
I couldn’t waste any more time on it so they are taking it to a shop. If the shop fixes it I’ll post what they found. 

Nope, sorry. I reinstalled the original abs unit, ran the pump, bled all four wheels multiple times all with no improvement from how it was when the car was brought to me.
 
There’s no warning lights on the dash except the tire pressure indicator light and I’ve checked the tire pressures, they are fine. Speedometer is working again with the original abs unit installed. I don’t think the abs is to blame since it works fine and the pedal firms up when the pump runs. 
 
I couldn’t waste any more time on it so they are taking it to a shop. If the shop fixes it I’ll post what they found. 

Nope, sorry. I reinstalled the original abs unit, ran the pump, bled all four wheels multiple times all with no improvement from how it was when the car was brought to me.
 
There’s no warning lights on the dash except the tire pressure indicator light and I’ve checked the tire pressures, they are fine. Speedometer is working again with the original abs unit installed. I don’t think the abs is to blame since it works fine and the pedal firms up when the pump runs. 
 
I couldn’t waste any more time on it so they are taking it to a shop. If the shop fixes it I’ll post what they found. 

Bump. Might be getting an ABS unit from a salvage yard to try. I’m out of ideas otherwise. 

Thanks for your input. The front brake hoses are new. Rear hoses visually look good and the brakes do not drag (car rolls free in neutral and while idling in gear with foot off the brake pedal) so I don’t suspect a hose issue. This car is actually from California and rust free. I inspected the brake lines from front to back and they look brand new, no leaks or corrosion. 
 
I drove the car on a long gravel/dirt road today and the abs works great when panic stopping. Actually the pedal is nice and firm when the abs pump kicks on but then goes soft again when it shuts off and returns to normal braking. I’m stumped and open to all suggestions anyone has.