One rear brake pulls harder than the other...
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Captain
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 540
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From: Fargo, ND
One rear brake pulls harder than the other...
OK, here's the scenario and history:
Bought '99 Ram 1500 a few weeks ago. I noticed that the brakes pulled to the left after driving for a while. They had replaced the pads in front, but neither replaced nor turned the rotors. As they only had a few miles on them, I just replaced the rotors.
Still pulled to the left, so I turned my attention to the rear brakes.
One of the wheel cylinders was leaking badly, and the other one was greasy, so I replaced them. I also replaced the pads and hardware. After reassembly they weren't right at all (I hate drum brakes) so I brought it in and had them put it together right and properly bleed the new cylinders. The brakes are nice and responsive now.
It still pulls to the left when braking.
I checked the brake drums after driving for about 10 miles today, and the left one is a lot hotter than the right one-- left, touch for a second then YOW! and a singed finger, while the other side I could touch it for about 5-6 seconds before it became too uncomfortable to touch.
Does this indicate something dragging in the left brake (which it obviously would have been since before replacing componants)? Is there a seperate adjustment per side on the parking brake maybe, that I need to back off?
What do you think? I'm stumped.
Bought '99 Ram 1500 a few weeks ago. I noticed that the brakes pulled to the left after driving for a while. They had replaced the pads in front, but neither replaced nor turned the rotors. As they only had a few miles on them, I just replaced the rotors.
Still pulled to the left, so I turned my attention to the rear brakes.
One of the wheel cylinders was leaking badly, and the other one was greasy, so I replaced them. I also replaced the pads and hardware. After reassembly they weren't right at all (I hate drum brakes) so I brought it in and had them put it together right and properly bleed the new cylinders. The brakes are nice and responsive now.
It still pulls to the left when braking.
I checked the brake drums after driving for about 10 miles today, and the left one is a lot hotter than the right one-- left, touch for a second then YOW! and a singed finger, while the other side I could touch it for about 5-6 seconds before it became too uncomfortable to touch.
Does this indicate something dragging in the left brake (which it obviously would have been since before replacing componants)? Is there a seperate adjustment per side on the parking brake maybe, that I need to back off?
What do you think? I'm stumped.
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 18,729
Likes: 17
From: NH
It sounds like one side is just adjusted tighter than the other. Loosen the star adjuster a little on the hot one(or just let them break in a little ,more than 10 miles thats for sure).Raise the rear and see if it drags a lot more than the other one. But I would turn my attention back to the front, pull the wheels and spray down both sides of the rotors real good with brake-cleaner while rotating them some. Put the wheels back on and let them break in some also.
Last edited by zman17; Oct 14, 2008 at 06:34 PM.
Thread Starter
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Captain
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 540
Likes: 0
From: Fargo, ND
I'll have to take the wheel off to back it off-- no cutouts on the back plate. That's a project for tomorrow, perhaps. I also adjusted the parking brake out and that made no difference.
Another thing that concerns me is it did this before I even messed w/ the rear brakes.
Another thing that concerns me is it did this before I even messed w/ the rear brakes.
Retired Moderator - RIP
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 18,729
Likes: 17
From: NH
Mine has no cutouts either, PITA. Make sure the calipers are sliding freely on the pins.And where they slide on the steering knuckle assembly.
Last edited by zman17; Oct 15, 2008 at 04:52 AM.