Brakes

[Archive]

Folks- I was towing a 10,000 lb load from Orlando to baltimore and experienced some intermittend problems with my brakes. Every now and then it seems like I would lose the power assist. When this occured,both the brake and abs lights illuminated. The pedal stayed hard, but the truck/load didn't want to stop. I made good use of my exhaust brake. When I got home, I started looking in the area of the vacuum pump and found two hose clamps lose which were on the main line to the booster. After I tightened the clamps, I road tested the truck to see if I resolved the problem. Since I live on a steep hill, I decided to go to the top and back down in reverse stoping and restarting to check both the power assist and adjust the rear brakes some. What I found is after about 8 stops with the truck at idle, I lost assist, and the brake light illuminated. I think I fixed the original problem, but I now wonder how many stops (engine at idle)before losing assist are normal. Any thoughts??

------------------
1995 2500 Auto 4X4 Ext Cab, Sun Coast torque converter, Trans Go shift kit,Jacobs E brake,BD Auto Lok,Prime Lok fuel filter relocate, Boost/EGT and transmission fluid temp gauges, and Mag-Hytec transmission pan/rear end covers




[This message has been edited by FBFISH (edited 05-31-2000). ]

 

[Archive]

I just went thru this. You should be able to deplete the vacuum at idle after about 8 depressions of the pedal. However, the vacuum should come right back up. If you have a service manual, follow the check out procedures. It sounds like you still have a vacuum leak. Use a gage and check the vacuum on the large hose coming from the vacuum pump. Disconnect it from the booster, the vacuum should be around 10". Then, reconnect the vacuum hose and check the vacuum on any of the vacuum lines on the manifold above the booster. Both readings should be the same. If the first test doesn't give at least 8. 5", it's your pump. If the two readings are not the same, you have a vacuum leak somewhere. In my case, I had to check the vacuum on each component with a hand vacuum pump before I found a crimped, split vacuum hose at the cruise control module under the driver's side battery. Good luck. My dealer took $33. 50 out of my pocket and told me there was nothing wrong, and that the low vacuum indication was "normal".

 

[Archive]

FB, save yourself alot of trouble and just replace your main vacume line from the pump up to the plastic T where it branches off to run the vents etc. . The hose absorbs oil from the ps pump etc and will collapse on the inside, where you can't see it #ad
Also, the wreched plastic vacume tubing on my '95 was cracked right were it goes into the cruise control servo. It's a bit of a pita to check, since it's under the left hand battery tray, but you can do it by feel and tell if it's cracked.

------------------
95 2500 SLT Laramie 3. 54, automatic,Herculiner bed liner, JVC cd out of factory infinity system, southwest grill gaurd (a favorite amongst the deer population), K&N, AFC adjusted, dual straight exhaust out of "gutless" cat, Geno's dual EGT/boost gauge, TST #6 plate slid all the way forward, AFC housing slid all the way forward

[This message has been edited by danandme (edited 05-31-2000). ]

 

[Archive]

Don't replace your vacuum hose, let Dodge do it! Check the vacuum pump to see if there is a check valve at the pump outlet that the hose is connected to. If not, you get to have the 720 recall performed. Run your VIN through the dealer to check to see if it has been performed. If you need it, the dealer will install a check valve, new hose, new vacuum tee, and is supposed to check all the vacuum systems attached. Trust me, they don't. You should still check all the vacuum systems to see if there is a leak somewhere. I used my Mightyvac (SP!) hand vacuum tester, or try to get the dealer to do it. The 720 recall also gives you a 7 year, unlimited warranty on all vacuum components. However, if your dealer is like mine, they won't tell you about it.

 

[Archive]

Well I have been having about the same problem with my 92. Havent found any vac leaks but I didnt think about of a compressed line. I'll let you know