Hi All,

I have a 2000 Ram 1500 5.9L automatic that I picked up used recently. I took it by the local 4wheelparts store and had them check everything out. A bunch of stuff needed replacing, but the brakes they said checked out okay.

So, this last weekend, I took the family in the truck out to some property we recently purchased. The road out there is paved, yet very, very steep. Near the end of the trip, at the steepest part, I was pressing on the brakes pretty much as hard as I could and was just barely able to keep the truck at a reasonable speed for the road. I had it in 1st as well, but it didn't seem to do any good at holding the truck back like I had hoped.

When we reached the bottom, the front brakes were smoking. If another vehicle had come our way (on this one lane road) we would have had a problem since I don't think I could have gotten it to stop until the road leveled out. Quite scary considering I had the family with me.

I called the 4wheelparts store yesterday, and asked what could have been the problem if they checked everything out. They had no idea, but the guy I spoke with suggested maybe putting it in 4 low for the hill. I am really confused because everything I find states not to do so on dry pavement. Is it okay in this type of situation or was he mistaken?

Anyways, I am hoping somebody here will have some been-there-done-that advice for me. Did I do something wrong, or is something screwed up that I need to have looked at? I picked up the truck since we will need it for on the property, but haven't yet taken it past where the pavement ends on that road because of this issue on our first trip out there with the truck.

Thanks for any advice.

- Chris

 

Problem one DON'T GO TO 4 WHEEL PARTS EVER!!!!!!!! Don't use 4wd to slow your roll.

 

try adjusting the rear brakes first, and if you have the load valve over the rear axle (mounted to the frame, with a rod to the axle) remove it or disconnect and tie the lever back

 

also... might look into some quality front pads

 

i use 4wd low, with transmission in 1st/low, in situations like that to control speed. that's what its for.

check that your rear brakes are properly adjusted. sometimes they get out of adjustment and don't contribute anything to braking.

you might want to get new/better pads for the front. yours may be cheapo and not able to stand the heat.

and i'm sure you already know this, but the key is to keep the speed down to reduce the amount of brake required, and the associated heat.

enjoy the new place, it sounds nice. the dodge will handle it, you just need to get it in the right gear.

 

check the caliper slides, and make sure they're greased

 

Thanks for all the tips guys. Not quite sure what to do from here. Never messed with brakes before, figured I'd leave it to people who did it for a living. But this last experience leaves me wondering. Guess I'll break out the Haynes and see how that goes.

So why all the posts on here and elsewhere about how it will totally screw up your truck to do so? Is there any good guide I can read online or grab from the bookstore that will accurately cover this stuff?

Yeah, that was why I had it in 1st, but it didn't seem to make any difference. Not sure if it was just the grade or if there is some other problem, but letting up on the brakes at all would send me barrelling down the hill - I tried letting up a couple of times knowing it wasn't good to ride them the whole way down, but couldn't control the speed otherwise.

Yeah, the place is great. We have a dodge grand caravan that made it out to the property the first time we went, but only to where the pavement ends. Didn't think it would be a problem for the truck, especially after having everything checked out. Once I get all this squared away I know it will perform great and do everything I need ... I just hope I don't screw anything up from not knowing what I am doing with it (especially as concerns the 4x portion).

- Chris

 

There is also an upgrade to 1 ton rear wheel cylinders on here if you do a search. And the FSM calls for adjusting the rear brakes at certain intervals.

 

Thanks for the tip. Found the threads and definitely looks like a must-have for me.

Also, pardon my ignorance, but what is the FSM? I checked the glossary and couldn't find it ... F*ing Service Manual?

- Chris

 

factory service manual. Its the alpha and omega when it comes to manuals!!!