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joshs_dakota
Dodge Dakota
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4/03/2004
12:49:47
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 Subject: Help! Problems stopping
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I have a 2001 CC 4.7, rear ABS only. I just replaced the rear drums and shoes. (Also, about 6 months ago I had the front rotors turned and new pads put on.)
I took it out to test the new rear brakes, and I'm having problems doing a panic stop. The truck will stop (eventually), but the front wheels will not lock at all (they used to, prior to this, and should). When I stop and get out, there's a burning smell, and there's smoke coming from the front brakes. I can't see any leaks, and the fluid level is good, and there is a lot of pad left. Anybody have any idea what that could be? I didn't think doing the rear brakes would affect the front...maybe an odd coincidence?
I know Dodges brakes are bad, but at least they would bring you to a stop quickly before! Thanks in advance for any help!
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WS-1500
Dodge Dakota
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4/03/2004
13:51:20
|  RE: Help! Problems stopping
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First thing to do is to bleed the system and adjust the rear brakes. If that doesn't do it, then replace the front flexible hoses. They can cause the front brakes to drag. When you get the rear drums off, look at how the shoes are wearing. It's possible the parking brake cable is misadjusted.
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M.O.P.A.R.
Dodge Dakota
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4/03/2004
20:14:51
| RE: Help! Problems stopping
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Message:
Did you adjust the rears up afterwards?
Proper adjustment:
Get the drum to just start to drag when seated fully.
(I.E. wheel on,or push with one hand towards
the hub,and with other hand rotate drum)
After feeling drag, back off the star wheel just a few clicks so you feel little or no drag.
If the rears are not adjusted the wheel cyl's
pistons must travel farther to make the shoes
contact the drums. Resulting in much farther stopping distance,low brake pedal,and possibly
lowered system pressure during initial hard braking.
Lowered sys press=fronts dont lock up.
Fronts do all work=fronts smoke.
If you didn't replace whl cyl's or open lines,bleeders, it shouldn't be an air issue.
To check your hoses: Jack up the front and have a friend pump the brake pedal,then release.
If the brakes stay on,get the bleeder to open.
Close bleeder and pump up again.If the wheel spins freely upon bleeder opening you need a hose.
Sounds right to me.
I'm an auto tech.
But I have been drinking.:)
Let me know how it turns out.
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Todd
Dodge Dakota
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4/03/2004
23:01:29
| RE: Help! Problems stopping
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I'm not sure what the smoke is, that can't be good, but no 2001 DAK has enough front brake power to ever actuate the ABS on a good surface road in the dry (I've had a 98 and a 00, and you could put the pedal to the floor on either without locking the fronts). the brakes are just too wimpy to have that much stopping power.
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Todd
Dodge Dakota
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4/03/2004
23:01:37
| RE: Help! Problems stopping
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I'm not sure what the smoke is, that can't be good, but no 2001 DAK has enough front brake power to ever actuate the ABS on a good surface road in the dry (I've had a 98 and a 00, and you could put the pedal to the floor on either without locking the fronts). the brakes are just too wimpy to have that much stopping power.
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joshs_dakota
Dodge Dakota
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4/04/2004
23:12:18
| RE: Help! Problems stopping
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Thanks for all the advice. I'm going to try it one of these nights this week. I had help putting on the rear brakes, from my uncle, who is a mechanic, so they should be set right :)
I'll try bleeding them out so at least I've got new fluid. I'll maybe check the calipers, too, does anyone know if Dodge has had problems with their calipers? I guess I didn't realize Dakotas couldn't lock up the front wheels, I just assumed every vehicle should be able to do that...
I'll keep you posted. Thanks again!
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joshs_dakota
Dodge Dakota
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4/12/2004
09:06:25
| RE: Help! Problems stopping
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Looks like the front calipers were hanging up. Because of that, the front rotors got too hot and are shot now. I'm going to replace the calipers (can't find any calipers with metal pistons, only cheap plastic ones), rotors, and bleed out all the fluid. I think that should do it. Dang crappy brakes!!
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joshs_dakota
Dodge Dakota
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4/13/2004
12:39:50
| RE: Help! Problems stopping
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Well, all that work didn't do it. I'm starting to think I'm going to have to buy every brake component on the truck before the problem gets fixed. Or maybe I just bite the bullet and take it somewhere to have it fixed.
New rotors, drums, shoes, calipers, fluid, and the fronts still smoke (and it doesn't stop like it should). I think the hoses are okay, because they do release, but maybe not enough? Also, the pedal seems to go down farther and it's not as firm as it used to be. Could it be a bad master cylinder?
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