Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Help Straighten Me Out

[Dutch & Di]

Hey Gang. Dutch has an ongoing problem with the front brakes on our 1996 Dodge 1 ton 2 wheel drive 3500.

To start with I had the brakes flushed in Idaho and later the truck started pulling to the left. Upon inspection of the master cylinder reservoir I found it was filthy. Naturally we were 3 states away by then. Not to belabor you on how I felt about this, I’ll just give you the process I have gone through.

1. Drained, cleaned and refilled the reservoir

2. Had system flushed with a machine at a brake shop

3. Pulled lines off master cylinder, drained reservoir, blew with air back through the MC added more clean fluid.

4. Replaced both front calipers

5. New Geno’s brake shoes

6. New brake hoses, left & right

7. Since front brake lines are connected I pulled the line loose at each end and blew the line with compressed air.

So far no success.

Any help, tips or suggestions would be welcomed before he pulls out what remaining hair he has!! Di

 

[GAmes]

Are you sure it is the brakes making it pull? Does one side get real hot from dragging after even a short trip? I battled an intermittant pull to the right for several thousand miles. New brake pads, new calipers, new hoses, another new caliper, another set of brake pads, but the front hubs were never hot when I checked them. Then the pull went away for the most part, but comes and goes every now and then. I think it is a valve in the steering box. It has a slow drip from the top so I plan on replacing it soon. Have you flushed your power steering lately? Also maybe try cleaning the filter in the P/S pump. https://www.turbodieselregister.com...ering-assist-fix&highlight=low+power+steering

 

[B.G. Smith]

Check the road contact surface of the front tires, especially if you have changed a tire on the front recently, if one is slightly rounded and the other has a flat face it will cause pull. Of course a difference in air pressure in the tires can cause some pull. bg

 

[NIsaacs]

Front wheel bearings all good? Make sure the rear axle u-bolts are tight and center bolts good.



Nick

 

[Hoefler]

Also check tire pressure on the front. Swap the front tires side to side, if the pull goes away or stops, its the tire.

 

[champspa]

had a pull to the right problem , turned out to be the tie rod on that side , I thought it was a brake problem also and installed new pads and rear shoes, also bleed the brakes . It was time for them anyway at least that's what I tell myself . you know that side tie rod is an expensive item . solved the problem .

 

[Bob4x4]

There is an old tSB procedure that pays up to about 8 hours to address pulls on 2nd gens. It can feel like it takes for ever

 

[Bob4x4]

There is an old tSB procedure that pays up to about 8 hours to address pulls on 2nd gens. It can feel like it takes for ever
TSB-05-03-97

 

[HBarlow]

I had long ago forgotten about it but on a Furd F-250HD I owned years ago that had a set of OEM brand Uniroyal tires tires a cord separation in a rear tire caused it to pull in that direction. A crap brand tire can definitely cause it.

 

[Dutch & Di]

Thank you all for your suggestions-I have typed Dutch's answers to each of you below:

GAmes: Thanks but left brake pads and rotor have excessive wear. Cut rotors and new pads. No help.

Champspa: Will check this out-----Thank you.

Hoefler: Will try this--Thanks

Nisaacs: All bearings good-will check U-bolts.

BGsmith: Will swap tires-Thanks

HBarlow: BF Goodrich tires in good shape

Bob 4 x 4: Ours is a 2 wheel drive.

Di

 

[GAmes]

Is the hub getting hot?

 

[Grizzly]

Di, get a hold of Jim Gail, aka Jelag. He's the best know expert on breaks that I know of. He the former owner of Pacific Break and Clutch. Send him a PM with this question. He's very helpful and easy to talk to.

george

 

[GSchlegel]

My '96' pulls to the left sometimes. Turns out my right rear seal leaks and getts on the brake shoes. Less braking right rear causes it to pull to the left.

 

[Dutch & Di]

Thanks George, I'll contact him right away. Hopefully he can help. Di

Di, get a hold of Jim Gail, aka Jelag. He's the best know expert on breaks that I know of. He the former owner of Pacific Break and Clutch. Send him a PM with this question. He's very helpful and easy to talk to.



george

 

[PToombs]

Check to make sure the rears are adjusted evenly. I had a pull to one side and couldn't figure it out either. Turns out 1 rear wasn't even working because it was so loose. I went thru a lot of what you guys are and felt like a dummy when I found it. I never thought a rear brake would cause it to pull.

 

[Dutch & Di]

Thanks Pete.

Dutch used the emergency brake only and said he had no pull. Di

Check to make sure the rears are adjusted evenly. I had a pull to one side and couldn't figure it out either. Turns out 1 rear wasn't even working because it was so loose. I went thru a lot of what you guys are and felt like a dummy when I found it. I never thought a rear brake would cause it to pull.

 

[PToombs]

Di, I wouldn't trust that test. I would jack the truck up and adjust the brakes so they are just dragging on the drum. If one side needs 3 moves of the tool and the other needs 8 or 10 to contact the drum, it's way off and could be the cause.

 

[Dutch & Di]

Thanks, I'll pass the info on to Dutch. Di

Di, I wouldn't trust that test. I would jack the truck up and adjust the brakes so they are just dragging on the drum. If one side needs 3 moves of the tool and the other needs 8 or 10 to contact the drum, it's way off and could be the cause.