Recently aquired a 99 5.2 liter durango from my father-in-law. It actually was gifted to my son as a 16th birthday gift. Here is the issue...... From day one I never felt the brakes were working right. Now I realize the front does a higher % of the braking, but it feels to me like they are doing ALL of the braking. I pulled the rear drums for inspection and the drums and shoes are all in really good shape. I adjusted them, because I never had confidence that those adjusters, on any vehicle, worked as they are supposed to, and still it isnt right. One other thing that might be of some importance..... before the truck was given to us, the speedo was not working, and was repaired. Father in law said they replaced some sensor in the rear axel???? Could this have something to do with my problem?? Also the other day when it was started, the abs and brake light came on and stayed on until we stopped for gas(about 2 miles away). When restarted, lights off and have never come back on.Any help would be greatly appreciated as I am trying to get this truck as dependable and SAFE for a new driver. Thanks guys.....Bill

 

Does the brake pedal feel really soft at lower speeds? Or is the front nose pull down hard when your stopping?

 

Pedal feels normal to me. It seems to brake normal as you re slowing, and when you come the last 20 ft or so, it grabs and the front dives down.

 

the rear auto adjusters will not actuate unless you back up every now and then, so if you live in the suburbs and always pull thru parking spaces, and have a big driveway you will have to adjust them manually, or make an effort to back up every now and then

that said yes the fronts do a lot more of the braking on these trucks, however without feeling what you mean i cannot say if yours is acting correctly, this is one of those things that is very hard to describe in words

 

I know what you mean, unless you feel it its difficult! I dont believe the abs system is working because a couple of times (him driving), the fronts have actually locked up in quick stops. Again, I dont know if that would have happened with you or I driving, and how hard he got on the pedal, but nuntheless it did lock up and skid. Even when I am slowing (normally), the fronts just seem to be grabbing really hard in the last few feet of the stop.Its like the truck has collision sensors and is being told brake harder to avoid a collision! Also I am familiar with the adjusters only working when backing up, but how far does one need to reverse for the adjusters to activate? One other thing.... The brake fluid is a very brown color. Could that have anything to do with this problem ? Thanks Bill

 

if the brake fluid is very brown it is overdue for being bled through and replaced with new. is this part of your problem? idk but i would definitely get them bled and soon (its a 2 man job and shouldnt take too long for you and the son to do, besides he needs to learn how to take care of his truck)

now i ahve to ask (since you brought it up) if your truck has 2wheel abs (rear only) or 4 wheel abs(yea i know hydra, but its not relevant here)?

even so where the instances where it locked up at low speed (<25 mph??) bc i have managed to lock up all 4 at low speeds, i have a theory that you need to be above a certain speed for the abs to function (hell my dad has locked em up in my truck too at low speeds)

 

Bleeding is on the schedule and believe u me he is helping with everything that is being done because I too, believe he needs to learn the responsibilities of maintaining it as well as driving it! To answer your ?, it did lock up at low speed..... around 5 mph. I wish I could give u more info,and maybe thats just how these trucks are, but it just doesnt seem right to me. That part where I said it seems like there's a collision sensor telling it to brake harder to avoid a collision is the best I can describe it. It actually settles you back in your seat when you get completely stopped! Also too, will the fluid get brown just from use, or contamination? If from the latter, how would I find the source of the contamination if I obviously have brakes?

 

i had a problem kinda like that. The rear wheel cylinders were bad. I placed them and it stops alot better.

 

With my 99 I ended up having the entire brake line from the proportioning valve to both rear wheels replaced because I found out that the lines were full of corrosion.

With mine I had replaced both rear cylinders and did a complete rr brake job myself.
Both cylinders were froze up.
So I did everything including the drums.
This lasted about 3 months.
Never did feel right.

The shop told me in one drum they found nothing but pieces floating around inside.

As to the ABS, my truck has rr ABS only and yes I do have trouble at times with one or both frt wheels locking up.
Mostly on wet pavement and what ends up being too much foot pressure on the pedal.

Also, the rr ABS plug should be right on top of the rr differential.
Check and make sure it has a good connection.
With mine I had figured out that the plug was actually broken.
Somehow something had hit it.
So I ended up being able to glue it together with some Permatex.

It's been good now for about 5 years.

I hope you get it figured out.