Dodge dakota Brakes giving me hell!

[Donny]

I bought a dakota new in 1995 and the brakes have always been a bit lacking and when they got worse I took the truck in on warrenty. The dealer told me brakes are my problem. I let it be and about a year out of warrenty I replaced the pads,this didn't help then about 3years ago the brakes went to the floor so I limped it home replaced both rear wheel cyl and master cyl and checked the pads. The truck still had weak brakes (I never found the real problem) I have been driving it like this for years and a few times I've made some Really fast turns etc because of the brakes. Randomly I would get brakes but mostly it was press and pray. A few days ago I decided to grease my wheel barings and saw my front pads worn uneven on the drivers side (slanted) on the passenger side the pads was thinner cept at the very top it was thick. Knowing I couldn't leave it like this I replace the pads but left everything else (I needed the truck going soon) I bleed the brakes and had no peddle,replaced master cyl(again) had peddle yippie right? Then bleed the rear. I put it together and test drove it and spongy peddle and a very strong pull right as in not driveble. I am no car mechanic but I have bleed the brakes using convention means and trying vacume. Any advise would be helpful.

 

[LBPete]

If the pads are wearing unevenly, the calipers are not sliding correctly. You probably have a siezed pin. It pulls to the right because that caliper is providing more braking action than the stuck caliper on the left. In some cases the pins can be freed up. In other cases it's best just to replace the whole caliper assembly. If you are not comfortable making that assessment, you need to take it to someone that can.

If you are going to change the caliper, you need to get the whole assembly not just the cylinder part.

- Pete

 

[Fast_Eddie]

I'd get a pair of new calipers and rotors and just have at it. It's something in the front to be sure. Brakes are nothing to play with. When I buy old Capris I always replace everything- calipers, cylinders and rotors and turn the drums. I do the flex hoses too.

I'm guessing from your odd wear patters in the front that there has been an issue with the calipers/rotors for a while. I wouldn't mess around and just replace them. Might as well throw new hoses at it while you're there. They're usually only a few dollars. It will be a tough pill to swallow the parts price, but you won't have to worry about it again for a good long time.

Take care,

Ed

 

[Combwork]

Hi Donny,

If you can drive the truck for a good few miles without touching the brakes and roll to a stop, again without touching the brakes, both front discs should be cool. If one is running hot it implies a stiff caliper on that side; if both are hot it could be you have two stiff calipers, but also possible is some air in the system keeping the front pads rubbing the discs after you foot's off the pedal. This overheating could explain your brakes not working too well.............. Jim.

 

[cabinover]

Definitely do the rubber hoses. Those alone will account for your spongy feel when they get old and tired. The walls actually stretch out like a bubble. Like LBP said you have a problem with slide pins or whatever the caliper slides on. The more I think about it are you sure that the pads in there are the proper pads? Even with bad pins I don't ever remember seeing pads worn uneven the way you're describing.

Another thing I've seen although usually with Fords is a valve on the rear that controls pressure to your rear brakes with the amount of load. Make sure your rear brakes are working and also the adjusters taken up.

Let us know how you make out. Brakes are the last thing to fool around with, it's your life and probably others too.

 

[Donny]

I think I have a lazy caliper on the drivers side because after bleeding again I found no air but my peddle got firmer and it quit pulling. However my rear brakes are still weak (truck nosedives) I am going to check the rear shoes and adjust or replace soon. I didn't think about the lines. The brakes are better then they have been in along time so I can drive it now

 

[draftingmonkey]

You might take a meander over to dodgeforum.com and check on the dakota section of the forum. Lots of good info there for any Dodge owner.

 

[gearhead]

I had problems with an '82 Dodge 1/2 ton shortbed locking up one rear brake. Rear axle seal was leaking onto the shoes, and that side wasn't braking at all, other side was doing all the work-or trying to.
This can be a problem with all rear wheel drive vehicles with drum brakes.