2nd Gen Ram Tech 1994-2001 Rams: This section is for TECHNICAL discussions only, that involve the 1994 through 2001 Rams. For any non-tech discussions, please direct your attention to the "General discussion/NON-tech" sub sections.

Odd happenings

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 07-04-2014, 05:21 AM
CappinHoff's Avatar
CappinHoff
CappinHoff is offline
Veteran
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Posts: 451
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default Odd happenings

First have to say glad to be back here. It's been a long long while.

Now the issue. My 2000 Ram 5.9 4x4 reg bed/cab sat for about 3 weeks no driving. Before it sat the brakes were fine. Then I decided to dust it off and let her out. Took a drive to the store, no issues. On the way home I noticed the brakes got real soft and didn't stop like normal. I get home and check the brake fluid, almost empty. Top it off and comeback later. Brakes are back to normal. Fast forward a week. Start it up press the brake to shift, pedal goes to the floor. Hear a clicking from the master cylinder. The ABS and brake lights both come on.

I'm stumped. Checks for spots for fluid none. Check each caliper, none. Checked the lines, okay. Where could it have gone?
 
  #2  
Old 07-04-2014, 08:41 AM
dhvaughan's Avatar
dhvaughan
dhvaughan is offline
Hall Of Fame
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Gainesville, Ga.
Posts: 12,204
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
Default

if you lose brake fluid from the master cylinder after recently refilling it, then you have a leak, so don't drive it until fixed. a common leak point is the brake line running above the gas tank (from salt/rust). other potential places to find leaking fluid are at the front calipers or rear wheel cylinders.

if you are not losing brake fluid, but the pedal goes to the floor - then its likely a bad internal seal in master cylinder, caliper, or wheel cylinder.

one last option of lost fluid is the vacuum booster. i don't know if its possible for fluid to get in there or not. i doubt it, but the booster does have vacuum on it.
 
  #3  
Old 07-04-2014, 10:28 AM
AtomicDog's Avatar
AtomicDog
AtomicDog is offline
Champion
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Central VA
Posts: 4,137
Received 299 Likes on 283 Posts
Default

I'd bet on the leaky rear metal brake line and/or rear wheel cylinder(s), especially if none of that has been repaired before.
 
  #4  
Old 07-04-2014, 10:37 AM
Spillage's Avatar
Spillage
Spillage is offline
Record Breaker
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: S. Florida
Posts: 2,411
Received 66 Likes on 64 Posts
Default

For me it was the seal on my master cylinder, and leaked into the booster.
Had to take the booster off to drain all the oil and mop it out as best I could... hopefully I got it early enough and the diaphragm wont deteriorate due to the oil exposure.
 



Quick Reply: Odd happenings



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:10 PM.