Brake Troubles

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Bigtman07

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Ok so I'm running out of ideas on what could be happening here. So here is the story.

Couple weeks ago I was driving to work in the morning. It just happened to be trash day and the trash truck was on the opposite side of the road on a blind hill and curve. Well Some idiot decided he was going to pass 2 cars and the garbage truck on this blind corner and hill. I unfortunately was going the opposite direction and as I crested the hill and started to turn here was this idiot in my lane coming straight at me. I slammed on my brakes bringing my truck to a stop thank god. The other guy moved back into line and I continued on my way.
A couple days later I walk outside to start the truck and run some errands. I hop in turn the key and start the truck. After the truck warms up I hop in put my foot on the brake and go to shift to drive and the pedal goes to the floor. I'm like wtf? I release the brake and the brake and ABS lights come on. I hop out of the truck and pop the hood to find my fluid reservoir was empty. Again I'm like WTH? I look under the truck and my right rear tire is laying in a puddle of brake fluid. Wonderful. So I fill the reservoir with some fluid I had left over and headed to the parts store. Mind you this is my only vehicle at the moment. I get a full thing of brake fluid and pick up 2 new wheel cylinders. I finished my errands. I had a very soft pedal but I figured that since I probably had air in the lines. But I was still able to stop.
I went back to the house. Pulled off the rear wheels and replaced both wheel cylinders in the rear drums. I bled the brakes In the traditional fashion: RR, LR, RF, LF. Got air out of the rear lines. went back to step on the pedal after tightening some lines pressure wasn't holding. Went and checked all the lines again and found no leaks. Odd I thought. So I tried it again and pedal was firm with the engine off and would fall with pressure over time but was still firm for the most part. Fired the truck up and went to shift outta park and pedal goes almost to the floor but hits a hard spot about 3/4 way down. Shut the truck off and bled the brakes again. Didn't get any air. Tried again same thing. Bled them again and still no air. Ok now I'm getting worried. I have pedal from about 2/3 to 3/4 of the way down but not like how it was previous. Any ideas about what it could be? I'm hoping that there is air in a line somewhere but I have no idea where it could be. After having gone through 2 of the big brake fluid bottles I would think there wouldn't be any air left. Anything else I could check or test? I get fluid from all 4 bleeders. All the fluid coming out is clear and doesn't look dirty. Brakes seem to be operating correctly. I pulled the drums and watched the cylinders operate. But I still don't have a firm pedal and the brake and abs lights are still on.
One odd thing is that the lights will go off if I back up and hit the brakes but will turn back on when i go forward and hit the brakes.
 

Merc225hp

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What year truck are you working on and gaspot or oil burner, 2w or 4w ABS?
 
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Bigtman07

Bigtman07

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Its on the 2000 oil burner. It's got the stupid 4w

Did find something new today. I went to back out of the driveway and was tapping/pumping the brakes as I was rolling out of the drive and I got pedal back and the lights went off. But as soon as I started going down the street at the next stop the pedal went down half way and the lights came back on. So I played with it on the way to work and found I could pump the brakes and get normal pressure. but if I dont then it does the half pedal sponge thing...
 

shaftman_05

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You have air trapped. Most likely in the abs unit. You will need to bleed lines to help imo. Start at the master and work rear ward.

That will eliminate possibility of air in master.

Definitely an air issue.
 

Merc225hp

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4 wheel ABS don't work on that system to much as its a pita. My understanding is that to properly bleed the brakes on that system is you need to have a DRB scanner to open certain valves or it won't bleed right.
 

leadrofthepak

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If you can pump the brakes to get pressure, it sounds to me like you are getting air in the brake booster. Or rather, loosing pressure at the brake booster.
 
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Bigtman07

Bigtman07

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I'm with you on that one Merc. I hate the abs on this system. I was pretty sure it was air in the system since the master was bone dry. I'm going to at least bleed the master and see if that helps. I already bled the distribution/bias module and that helped a lot.
 

codered

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Have this same issue too. I pressed to hard on the brake and it's pretty limp. I threw a little fit when I saw you had to have that DRB scanner. Dammit ugh
 
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Bigtman07

Bigtman07

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LAst night I bled the master cylinder so it has no air in it. So i have air somewhere else too. The calipers and wheel cylinders still pass fluid. So I either need to keep bleeding them or there is air in my proportioning valve or my abs. Any idea how to bleed those?
 

Merc225hp

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I will look in the FSM and see if I can find the steps on how to bleed the ABS pump and post a page number or C/P it here for you.
 

MoparMagic'00

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how do i tell if i have left over gm brakes or not.. its a 6 of 99 build..
 
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Bigtman07

Bigtman07

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I checked my manual and it just talks about the wheels. I'm not sure there is a way. But i bled the system again and this time i found some air. Finally some progress! Now it only takes 2 pumps while driving to get brakes. lol Seems though the right rear line or the rears in general have air still. I can hear the rear brakes smack the drum when I hit the brakes sometimes.

Magic I think most 2nd gen all have GM brakes. If you want to upgrade I have heard talk about a 96 or so Chevy 1ton rear wheel cylinder can be put in for more stopping power.
 

Merc225hp

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Bigman07 Sorry Sir I have not yet looked into this for you been busy elsewhere. Good to read you are making a headway with it.

As for brake upgrade for the 1500's, you can use the 2500 brake calipers, bigger master cylinder. I am not one for saying install the bigger rear wheel cylinders as the rear brakes already like to lock up under wet/slippery conditions.
 
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Bigtman07

Bigtman07

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No worries Merc. I'll get it all figured out eventually. Only reason I know of the larger wheel cylinders is the diesel pulling guys do that change because of the larger tires they run and it fits all 3 sizes. I'm going to bleed the brakes again tonight and hope for more air out of the system.
 
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Bigtman07

Bigtman07

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Thanks Merc!

Well after beating my head into the wall I figured out what it was... I am an idiot...

When I first pulled the drum off to change the wheel cylinder the brake adjuster wasn't where it should be. It was just kinda laying in the pads area. I put it where it belongs without another thought... Well I should have thought that the adjuster is all the way closed... So therefore the new wheel cylinder was having to go beyond the normal travel to operate the brakes. I adjusted the brakes out where they belonged and everything is great. Thanks for all the help Merc and others! This one had me goin for a loop but it was just s simple overlooked adjustment.
 

Merc225hp

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You're Welcome anytime.

Right on man good to read its fixed and well **** happens.
 
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Bigtman07

Bigtman07

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Yeah it does haha

Do you happen to know if the adjuster keeper is listed anywhere as a part number? Mine is bent all out of whack.
 

Merc225hp

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My parts books go from 94-08 yes I have part numbers lol. But what part is the adjuster keeper?

In the 2000 parts book page 106 is where the brake parts start, do you have this book? Can I get a photo of said part?
 
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Bigtman07

Bigtman07

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See if any of these number match what you have. I highly doubt I can get them at the parts store. It's probably all dealer only stuff but here goes...

0900c15280071ad3.gif


In the above image the part that is messed up on mine is the Adjuster lever. In the process of trying to find a picture I came across an ebay add for the exact parts I need so there is hope haha But for information purposes Here are the part numbers I found.

Lever Right: 04383276
Lever Left: 04383277

Raybestos H2581 Drum Brake Self Adjuster Repair Kit Rear Right | eBay

Found it at the parts store too... I really need to stop trying to look things up when I'm tired haha
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/s...odel=Ram+2500&vi=1361999&year=2000&make=Dodge
 
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