Archived 01.5 rear disc brakes dragging!!!

[dr2deer]

I just bought a 2001. 5 Ram 3500 Quad Cab Dually Diesel W/auto transmission. The truck just turned 68,000 miles and I noticed the left rear wheel seal was leaking. I pulled everything apart and replaced the seal and installed new rear pads while I had it apart. I cracked the bleeders open to push the pistons back in the calipers. The brakes installed easily and when it was back together I pumped the brakes up and refilled the reservior. I had a nice firm pedal and went for a road test. The more I drove the more the rear brakes started dragging. I could feel excellent rear brake response but they would not release completely. This truck has no proportioning valve that I know of. Could the flexible brake hoses be bad? I need to drive this truck cross country towing a Bobcat in a week and could use some guidance on what might be wrong! I don't like just throwing parts at it so if you might have an idea please let me know.

 

[Sticks]

Try pulling the slide pins that hold the caliper on and putting some light grease or anti seize on them.

Clean them real good first, and buff off any rust or corrosion.

 

[Hoefler]

after applying the brakes, crack the bleeder, if you get pressure, the fluid is not returning to the reservoir. There is a proportioning valve in the system somewhere. If it is out of sorts, you should be able to reset it by standing hard on the brake pedal. Are both rear brakes dragging?? It could be the rubber line tot he axle, the proportioning valve, ABS valve, master cylinder, brake pedal not returning completely, just to name a few.

 

[dr2deer]

Thanks for the quick response guys!! I got in the truck the next day to pump the brakes up and start tracing back to where it didn't have pressure and I could not get the rear brakes to drag at all. Yesterday when I let off the throttle the truck would come to a stop almost imediately. Today when I let off the throttle it just coasts along. This is a total mystery but apparently it fixed itself? Drove all day with no problems at all! I wish my stuff would fix itself more often! It would save me alot of time and money! Thanks again!

 

[Joe Mc]

Sounds like a bad rear rubber hose, the one from the axle to the load sensing valve, to me. It's not that expensive and/or hard to change = cheap insurance prior to that long trip and towing too boot. I don't want to jinx you but, imagine how much you'll be kicking yourself in the butt for not spending the $25 - $50 for the hose if (god forbid) your rear brakes go out on you and you're stranded with a Bobcat on a trailer on route 70 or whatever in the middle of no where . . . Sorry, bout that but wanted to give a bit of motivation so your butt or foot doesn't end up in a cast after your trip . . .

Let us know what you find and have a safe trip regardless.

 

[TProffitt]

Dragging Brake

I had a left Front brake dragging recently in the smokies on my 01. 5 I replaced the brake hose and no problems since

 

[icman95]

Had the same rear brake lockup happen to me in 2009 towing my 5th wheel camper back to home in CT. We were in New York when it happened. I slowed down and went through a toll booth and when I went to speed back up they were dragging. It was something like 2am so I could only see the smoke from the brakes when another vehicle's headlights were shining at me from behind. Took a risk and made it home safely thanks to the unending torque of the mighty Cummins. All of the above mentioned problems went through my head, but in the end the culprit was the brake calipers themselves. They were original and probably had some dirt/corrosion behind the pistons, preventing them from retracting. I replaced both calipers and sets of pads and all was well. I had no damage to the rotors as there was just a little bit of meat left on the pads so there was no metal to metal contact. The parts cost me about $250 at Napa and it took me maybe 2 hours to do both sides and bleed it. I highly recommend getting it taken care of before your trip. These things don't just "fix themselves" and I know what a lonely feeling it is having it happen while pulling a trailer many miles from home. Good luck



P. S. -While I was at it, I looked into replacing the rubber flex hoses that go into the calipers from the metal brake lines. Thought that while I was opening up the system and introducing air anyway, might as well do it all. Turned out that Napa couldn't get them for me and said it was a dealer only part. Called the dealer and found that they were over $200 PER SIDE. I didn't want them that much and left them on. Seemed to be ok anyway.