Stratus--leaking left/right wheel cylinders

I have a question. I recently took my 98 Dodge Stratus with 47,000 miles to
the dealer to get it inspected. I was able to get the emissions exempt as it
was driven under 5,000 miles in 12 months. I was told that BOTH left and right
rear brake wheel cylinders are leaking. My questions are, is it common for
them to leak at the same time or does one usually go first? I have no problem
replacing them but it just seemed odd that they both are leaking. Would there
have been any tell-tale signs of leakage? I appreciate any and all advice.

Thanks!
dave
no spam--remove last 3 letters in address to respond

 

Sure, pull off the rear wheels and the brake drum and check for yourself -
it isn't hard.
Worse case might be the need to screw a bolt into the side of the drums in
order to act as a "puller".

Without doing the above you have no way of knowing whether or not they are
telling you the truth.
Unless the cylinders are leaking very badly, you will never see any fluid
from an external inspection.
Is it possible that both are leaking?
Sure, not common but certainly possible. One may have started to leak
undetected last year.
The other may have started last week.

Doug

 

Brake fluid ever been changed? This helps keep moisture out of the
system. Wheel cylinders leak as much from moisture settling in the
cylinders and corrosion pitting the cylinder body as from wear.

Bill Putney
(to reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with "x")

 

No, the brake fluid has never been changed. I don't have a problem paying for
the repair, it just seemed funny to have both sides leak at the same time. I
will say that for a few years (even after getting new brakes), there was always
brake squeal in the mornings when first driving the car. It went away after
hitting the brakes a few times. I notice that there has been no squealing as
yet...not sure if this is related.

thanks for the advice.
no spam--remove last 3 letters in address to respond

 

Whenever I've had to do this job I've just replaced both cylinders. The
telltale
is usually discoloration on the outside of the cylinder, like a stain,
spreading from
the end. It should be bone-dry in there, and very dusty.

This is a job that can rapidly turn into an expensive one because almost
always
when a shop pulls the brakes apart they are going to suggest changing
friction
material, drums/rotors etc. You have some time and you should shop around,
lots of places do brake jobs.

Ted