Hey everyone.

New to this forum, didn't know there was such a thing.

2001 Ram 1500 Quad Cab 4WD Sport 5.2.

I bought this pig used three years ago from a dealer in VA. It was in pretty nice shape and haven't had to really do much except some of what I considered to be routine maintenance for a 85K engine when I first got it. Did the plenum fix and while I was in that far did a new timing chain and gears plus a new water pump, plugs, wires, KN drop in plus the regular oil changes and lubes plus some other little stuff like a $4,000.00 sound system, lol.

So now the problem.

When I bought it I noticed that the front left wheel was sick with brake dust compared to the right. The other states inspection receipt I found in the glove compartment also had a note about the left front brakes. Both sides had new pads and turned rotors so figured whatever had been repaired. After driving it the past three years I still have wound up with heavy dust on the left/normal on the right, though it always seemed to do so in a straight line ... unless there had been heavy braking then it pulled to the left. Also found the pads wearing faster on the left as well. As my luck would have it the main rear brake line popped a leak the other day so figured it was time to do some work. Replaced the front to rear line plus the rear hose, also replaced both front calipers figuring the left was getting hung up and I always replace in pairs. Also replaced both front hoses and installed new pads (Wagner ThermoQuiet), and turned the rotors.

Even with all that when I brake this thing pulls noticeably to the left. Have Checked my tires and air pressure, both fine. Runs straight otherwise.

Any thoughts to get me going straight again? Apparently this has rear ABS only (new one on me) so the proportioning valves/ABS are only front to back. Nothing right vs left. The only thing I found kinda odd was the front line routing. The main line comes into the front left hose fitting where there is also the connection that runs to the right front side.

Anyway, I'm open to thoughts on this.

Keep in mind I'm no mechanic beyond R&R ... I unbolt and bolt real fine, lol, so please don't flame me for any unintended ignorance.

 

Your caliper slides are stuck. Doesn't really matter which side is, as you'll see in the next few posts. Take both sides apart and clean clean or replace the slide bolts and clean the calipers where they slide on the spindle. Get new pads and make sure the rotors are not warped. Put it back together and bleed em and you should be good to go. And BTW, make sure the axle seals are not leaking.

 

It's just a guess without actually seeing it, but my guess is that either the side with the heavy brake dust is hanging after it closes and doesn't release. If that's the case, you should be fine if you replace the caliper and bleed the system. Also, verify that the rubber hose line is not kinked anywhere.

 

Thanks guys but I mentioned this is all new up front now. New calipers, pads, hoses, turned rotors. Guide pins lubed up as well as the stainless clips.

 

Take the wheels off and make sure the calipers are sliding freely. Then check the trac bar and see if it loose.

 

I would agree about the caliper's not sliding properly.Make sure you did not twist any hoses when you installed them.If it's pulling to the left,it would indicate the right caliper is not grabbing,so look at that one first.

 

um, what?

 

[QUOTE=zman17;1386888 Then check the trac bar and see if it loose.[/QUOTE]

I checked out all the suspension/steering parts while I had it up on stands doing the front brakes, everything is solid.

 

Im sorry,I meant if it's pulling to the LEFT,it would indicate a right caliper problem.Means the left one is grabbing and the right one is not.That is why it would pull to the left.

Lol,just noticed and fixed it.

 

Whew, thanks because I thought I was really dumb there.

Could there possibly be a problem with the line that goes from the left side hose end T to the right side?

Everything bled out fine but how much variance is acceptable for pressure from side to side?

Am going to be pulling the wheels off again within the next few days for some serious polishing and new center caps, will check to make sure everything is moving freely. I'm way to particular when I'm doing work ... I find it keeps do overs to a minimum but that doesn't mean I missed something.

Anything else I might check for while I'm there?

Note: Thanks Dodge for making me remove the gas tank to replace the main brake line on the frame rail!