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Dakota Performance
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Bucket
GenII
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4/09/2007
11:21:04

Subject: Soft Brake Pedal
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Ever since i switched from rear drums to rear disk, my brakes have been worse,you can mash the pedal down and it still creeps to a stop,so i figured maybe i got air in the line so i bled it out several times,checked everything out,all appears normal, but it still doesnt stop so well,so i took it to a brake shop just to double check everything out,the brake shop was mind boggled,they said there was no air in the lines and they had no idea what the problem was so they said when you switch from drum to disk a softer pedal is normal,I personally think i need a proportioning valve or bigger master,Has anyone out there thats converted from drum to disk had any similar problems or could someone who is good at brakes steer me in the right direction otherwise i will start with proportioning valve and work my way through the system but i thought my stopping should be way better with disk than drum.



OBIO3
Dodge Dakota
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4/09/2007
19:14:10

RE: Soft Brake Pedal
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Most of your braking pressure should be applied to the front rather then the rear brakes. The proportioning valve increases rear pressures as you haul heavier loads in the truck. Changing the valve is not likely to help you with an empty truck. Myself, I believe you have upset the system preventing the front brakes from functioning properly. I have no answers not knowing what you did or what you used. If I was to guess I would say your rear system is requiring more fluid robbing the front brakes causing the soft pedal. In other words, the master cylinder is unable to furnish enough fluid for the system you converted to.You never mentioned either the front or rear tires locking up with heavy pedal pressure which conferms my thinking. This is just my logic and may not be correct.



Bucket
GenII
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4/17/2007
11:24:37

RE: Soft Brake Pedal
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I just got back from the desert so i havent been online,anytime i use this truck which is about 3 times a year, i haul alot of gear and no the brakes never lock up,i called "ssbc" the guys i bought the disc brakes from and they said i shouldnt need a bigger master but i am starting to think your right OBIO....."not to mention the fact that you usually post some pretty informative info so you know your stuff" So if i could locate a better, bigger, or a hi-performance master that might be where i should start.Also i never drive this thing empty...its always loaded up and pulling a trailer.So i will try to locate a master thats better than my stock one,if you know of any let me know...Thanks again OBIO.....



.boB
Dodge Dakota
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4/17/2007
15:19:42

RE: Soft Brake Pedal
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Disks and drums require a differant volume of fluid to operate. That requires a differant master cylinder.

I would get a disk/disk master cylinder before changing anything else. Wasn't there a couple of years where the dakota had rear disks stock? Get a M/C from one of them.




Kowalski
GenIII
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4/17/2007
15:22:10

RE: Soft Brake Pedal
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Some Dakotas (03?) came with rear disc, so their master should be designed for that. Might want to try to swap one of those in. I've swapped to disc brake masters when converting old muscle cars from front drum to disc, and they worked fine once you use the right master for the aplication.

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shadetree
Dodge Dakota
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4/17/2007
16:03:43

RE: Soft Brake Pedal
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My 2004 has discs front and rear. Mabye you should try to retrofit it to your application. I do know they are a little different but it should not be a huge problem to make the 04 master work. Im guessing mabye the plunger hook up on the back is a little different and mabye a little grinding here and there for clearance on the booster and your set.



OBIO3
Dodge Dakota
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4/17/2007
16:38:35

RE: Soft Brake Pedal
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Most everything had DUEL master cylinders starting in the mid sixties if memory serves me right. There are 2 types. One has a single oblong lid that covers 2 chambers. The other has 2 separate chambers and 2 separate lids. They both have one push rod with 2 sets of plungers. The plungers will be different sizes for front and back with 2 separate lines coming off the bottom of the master cylinder. That's as much as I can help not knowing what you have or did. But the rest is math to determine exactly what you need to get proper voluum and pressures. Good luck.



Bucket
GenII
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4/18/2007
10:11:48

RE: Soft Brake Pedal
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Sorry for not getting back to you on the offroad page Kowalski,but i just got back in town monday and work is backed up,and i do my internet stuff at work in the mornings,see i learned something already i had no idea they made disk/disk masters.if 03 was the first year daks had rear disk brakes then i will try a dealer to see if i can make it compatable with my 94,dealers arent as smart as they used to be though and not nearly as helpful,but im pretty persistant.But you know what,the guys from "SSBC" said the drum to disk conversion shouldnt require a new master but why convert if your not going to have better stopping.Thanks for all the help guys....I will let you know how this pans out although it will take a while



OBIO3
Dodge Dakota
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4/18/2007
15:06:52

RE: Soft Brake Pedal
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Just another thought. Why not try as many forums as you can locate on the net trying to find someone that did this. Might just find the answer you need. Also if you have any good rod builder shops in yor area you might get lucky there also.



Kowalski
GenIII
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4/19/2007
06:17:05

RE: Soft Brake Pedal
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I figured you were just busy - let us know when you find the solution. I'm surprised SSBC recomends the same master.

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Bucket
GenII
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4/19/2007
10:23:32

RE: Soft Brake Pedal
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Yeah the guy at SSBC said their system never required a new master,and he never recommended that as my problem,next week when it slows down i will start to research this and let you guys know what happens.



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