2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission My brakes suck!

[Strasburg]

Bought a 2000 two wheel drive Dodge with a 5. 9 Cummins about two years ago from a private seller. Everything has been, generally, just fine with the truck, except the brakes. I have never got more than 5,000 miles on the front. That's right, 5,000! I use severe duty pads, downshift often, to let the engine brake on these hilly roads and I make sure the rear brakes are adjusted properly. I replaced the calipers twice and got a new proportioning valve from the dealer just a few months ago. I also bought rotors and pads from EGR because they promised me three times the miles. Wrong! I got 3,000 miles on those!! I carry anywhere from 200 to a thousand pounds in the back and that's it.



I am at wits end here. If I can't figure something out soon I'm liable to drive it into the ocean and kiss it good-bye.



Suggestions?



Gary

 

[Missouri Mule]

Your in the wrong forum! Try 2nd generation (no engine or transmissions).

 

[DEdwards]

You need to start checking some things. Are the front brakes hot after driving? You could have a caliper dragging, or both dragging. Check the front flex hoses, they can break down inside. Master cylinder OK? Residual pressure on the front = fast brake wear. Did you grease the caliper pins? Are the surfaces the calipers ride on clean and smooth? Bad brake fluid? Dirty? Are the rear brakes working? Had the drums off? Try the chevy rear brake cylinders. Finally, are you driving it like a sports car? Are you a left foot on the brake driver? There is no engine braking unless you have an exhaust brake.

 

[SRath]

What DEdwards said^^

Plus, you did not mention your rear brakes except to say you "keep them adjusted". I'm betting you don't have to adjust them much because they are not wearing because they are not doing anything.

Do a search here for information on retrofitting larger GM brake cylinders (if you have drum brakes in back). The Dodge drum brakes have a smaller cylinder that many find to be inadequate to get the rear brakes to do their fair share of the work.

So if your front brakes are not dragging, the notoriously lazy and weak rear brakes would be the area to look at next.

Are your front pads and rotors wearing unevenly? If so, you need to have them turned ON THE TRUCK.

Not many shops have the equipment to do this, but on the Quad 4x4 website, and those guys know these trucks well, they say that is the ONLY way to solve some Dodge trucks' front brake problems. Quote: "The only way to accurately machine brake rotors on 1994 and newer trucks is with an on-the-vehicle, hub mounted brake lathe which is capable of refinishing rotors to less then . 003" runout. " Link: QUAD 4 x4

You should email those guys about your problem, too. Dan the Gear Man has always been very helpful when asked technical questions. I'll wager he has seen your problem before.

Almost forgot: even apparently OK front brake hoses on these Dodges can cause great problems with residual pressures due to their crazy, twisted routing. Most brake shops are aware of this idiosyncracy. I would switch to stainless Earl's or similar brake lines with better routing.

MO Mule: Maybe you better check which forum YOU are on? I found his question in the 2nd Gen (no engine, yada, yada) forum... Or maybe it was moved here by admin?