2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Rear Brakes Lock Up.....

[TSaxon]

Does anyone else have rear brakes that lock up (at slow speeds) when it is wet? No matter how hard (or soft, I guess) I try, they still do it for the first five or six stops. It's not too bad in the Spring and Summer, but it really sucks in Syracuse in January. It has set off a "wild ride" more than once, if you get my drift.....

 

[GiesJ]

TSaxon

I did and thought I had moisture in my brake fluid. Wrong. Happend to run into an old friend who used to work at a Dodge dealer and he said that is very common - Rear axle seal is out.

I tore it appart and sure enough. I did my rear brakes (drum) at the same time. It's not hard. Do a search on Rear Axle Seals and you will find tons of information. If you need more PM or email me and I'll do my best with part ##'s and etc. Drum brakes are not as hard as everyone made me think, just leave one side alone at a time so that you can run around and double check where the springs go. good luck,

Jason

 

[lschultz]

When mine sets for a few days and I take off in it. They don't really lock up but they are touchy the 1st to 2nd time I use them. Haven't pulled the drums off to look at the seals so I don't know. Sounds like yours is different than mine. Mine only does it if its been very humid or if its rained alot. Theres been a few others on here that have this problem.

 

[Steve Campbell]

Two problems...

GeisJ, I have had that problem. My wheel bearings were loose. I checked a friends truck "before the problem" and his were loose also. The great thing here is the infinite adjustment possibilities with the nylock nut and "U-clip" lock. I wish all bearing adjustment locks were built this way. For what it is worth..... I feel that most users will find that their rear wheel bearings are "loose" if they pull the axle and give the tire a "shake".



Ischultz, yours sounds like rust that grabs until it is worn off with those first two brake applications.

 

[GiesJ]

Great Point Steve. I'm so used to very dry, high altitude that rust did not even cross my mind. In any event, my symptoms were the first few times I used the brakes in the morning they would lock. At first, the more I drove it the more it worked itself to normal. It got progressively worse over time. So bad that driving out of my alley at about 3-4 mph I would slide on the gravel and it sounded like a 30 mph full lock up. It was explained that the seal is leaking fluid that allows junk to collect on a drum and the opposite side locks up. When I finally tore mine apart one side was very very bad and the other was moderately bad.



This brake and seal job was the first time I have ever torn an axle apart and the nylock nut and clip is a real neat system.



Sorry if I mislead anyone, just trying to help.

J

 

[Oxjockey]

This is common, but it depends on when it happens. For me, it happens whenever it's cold and wet, not just wet. It was worst when I blew my rear hub seal, though. I've never seen a decent explination on this, but I'm hoping the rear discs won't have the issue.



Bryan

 

[Steve Campbell]

I am kind of thinking...

That Dodge ought to have a rear wheel bearing adjustment at the first free oil change (3000-5000 miles). I know only those having a problem are the ones usually posting about this, but there does seem to be a problem here.

 

[sam peterson]

Guys---If the problem is not caused by a rear wheel seal leaking, it will be what we call moisture sensitive lining. Its a common problem in wet or moist weather or cold climates. It won't cause a problem if you can put up with it but the cure is to replace the shoes with a different brand. I am not knocking brands but NAPA is very bad for this problem. They are great shoes but can't handle the moisture----Sam

 

[lschultz]

I knew you would come on in here an comment about this Sam. That makes sense to me. But my son has a 99(he replaced his pads with the ones we got from Sam) and I don't think his rear brakes have ever did what mine do sometimes. Maybe they used a different brand of shoes.