I noticed a interesting problem while I am reversing the car the brakes squeal when braking but driving forward the brakes do not squeal when braking. Is it just that the brakes need more braking in or is it just normal for the car to do that I have about 2100 miles on the car so far.

 

same here... squeals in reverse only. i have almost 1000miles ons it too. whats the deal?

and the rear hatch on the xb, is it hard to close tight? or is it just me?

 

Agree with the reverse breaking squeals but it only happens to me the first time I reverse the car in the morning or when the car has been sitting overnite.

As for the rear hatch, I actually have that problem when closing the doors but not with the rear hatch. Sometimes I'll close it gently and it won't close and then sometimes I slam it and it won't close. Talk about sensitive doors.

 

The hatch: I have a hard time too. The salesman actually mentioned it to me as I was about to drive off after taking delivery. I have to slam it much harder than I would like to. Oh, and the salesman said it about xBs in general, not just mine.

(No brake problems noticed)

-Gage

 

same here... all doors close exeptionally well like a fine european car except the rear hatch...wassup with that?

the first day i got it... i was showing off the car to my buddies... i couldn't seem to slam the rear hatch hard enough...i had all doors close properly and the "open door" light was lit on the dash...i gave up and just drove with it on..but it bugged the hell out of me.

Finally i slammed the rear hatch so hard, thought it would bend. ironically, eversince that slam banging, the rear hatch seem to close better with less effort.

I guess some things need beatings to behave....haha.

 

i havent had that problem...i dont know what you guys is talkin about...cant relate...

 

Are you guys experiencing the brake squeal only when you go into reverse, and mostly only after having parked the car with the e-brake on? Or does it happen EVERY time you put the car into reverse, even if it's after a long drive? If the sound only occurs after the car's sat a while with the e-brake engaged, then that is totally normal as the brakes catch just a little when the car rolls backwards.

 

same here about the brake squeal ONLY in reverse and the hatch closing issue.

i just close the hatch by pushing down on the handle. it works better that way as opposed to trying to slam it. annoying, but then again it's a $14K car.


john

 

Just a note on the xB hatch, I never knew they were different on the xA and xB until I played with one at the dealer yesterday getting my xA's oil changed ;)

Anyhow, I rented a Chrysler Town & Country a few weeks ago and it had the same kind of hatch, the "electrotouch" style release, and it had the same problem many of you are describing, the liftgate wouldn't close securly unless it was a short, firm push, so I doubt this is an issue directly related to the xB, but rather to the design of those types of releases in general.

 

i noticed the reverse squeak too is their a reason for it

 

Probably because the shoes/pads are designed to contact their trailing edge first to prevent squeak. In reverse, the trailing edge becomes the leading edge, meaning that squeak is more likely. Nothing to worry about!

George

 

the squeal is a safety feature. it lets people know that you are backing up. don't worry, it's not a problem.