Brake problem BEWARE

[ERIC668]

Went to install new brake pads today on my 01 and found that they are a little different than my 95. I started to pry them off and after a little effort I felt a snap and they came off. Well come to find out the 01 has dual pistons inside the front caliper and they are not made of steel. They appear to be made of some sort of ceramic material. And let me tell you it breaks fairly easy. The worst part is that nobody makes the repalcement caliper except Dodge, and its $182. 00 big ones. Luckly they do make a replacement piston for $19. 00 and $2 for a seal. But It is going to take 3-5 days to get it in so I am out a truck till then. Just wanted to know if any elese has had this experince.

 

[Rob Thomas]

Eric,



I had mine apart once, just to check 'em out,they came apart easy,no problems. Eeeeeeeeeasy with the prybar,just take the bolts out,and gently squeze the caliper,a c-clamp works good,them pull it off. Your truck doesn't like it when you 'bust it!



Have fun

 

[dan_gilson]

You may want to do some more research. I think you will find that those pistons are plastic.



I was talking yesterday with Glenn at ERG and DC now calls for replacement of those type of Calibers every 2 years because of the pistons. What a shame.

 

[Ram_Kowboy]

That's actually a phenolic piston. Hate to see the Rams going to them. Chrysler has used phenolic pistons for about 15 years in there cars. Lots of problems.



Good Luck!

 

[TowPro]

Know what you mean, back 12 years ago when I was in the wrenching bussiness, I must have replaced a set of Ford calapers a week with these things sticking.



One trick is to use a C clamp for reseating them. they used to say to put the C clamp all the way down onto the center of the piston (don't use an old brake pad), that way when you crank it down the outside of the piston (the part that touches the pads) will not flex.



by using a C clamp and a brake pad, the piston may actualy distort under the pressure causing it to freeze when put back into use.

Originally posted by Ram_Kowboy

That's actually a phenolic piston. Hate to see the Rams going to them. Chrysler has used phenolic pistons for about 15 years in there cars. Lots of problems.



Good Luck!