Brakes for my '97 Ram... Help please
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Joined: Nov 2009
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Brakes for my '97 Ram... Help please
Hey Guys,
I have about 84,000 miles on my 1997 Dodge Ram. How does one know when it's time for a brake job. I'm NOT a mechanic in any way, shape or form. My brakes seem to work very well, but I would like to have someone to check them....
Any suggestions about where I should take my truck to get an "honest" opinion on the conditions of my brakes? Also, just ball parkish.... what does a typical brake job cost (I realize there's probably not a typical brake job)?
Anyone out there still on the original brakes after 80,000 or so miles?
Thanks much........
I have about 84,000 miles on my 1997 Dodge Ram. How does one know when it's time for a brake job. I'm NOT a mechanic in any way, shape or form. My brakes seem to work very well, but I would like to have someone to check them....
Any suggestions about where I should take my truck to get an "honest" opinion on the conditions of my brakes? Also, just ball parkish.... what does a typical brake job cost (I realize there's probably not a typical brake job)?
Anyone out there still on the original brakes after 80,000 or so miles?
Thanks much........
Hope this helps! Welcome to Dodge Forum!
Hey Guys,
I have about 84,000 miles on my 1997 Dodge Ram. How does one know when it's time for a brake job. I'm NOT a mechanic in any way, shape or form. My brakes seem to work very well, but I would like to have someone to check them....Brakes will tell you when they need replacing. Loud and continious squeaking when they are applied will forsee replacement.
Any suggestions about where I should take my truck to get an "honest" opinion on the conditions of my brakes? Also, just ball parkish.... what does a typical brake job cost (I realize there's probably not a typical brake job)? A typical brake job in the front (disc brakes) would be new pads and machining (also known as turning or resurfacing) or replacement of the rotors. Our trucks have drum brakes in the rear. Typical drum brake job would be replacement of the shoes (drum brake equivilent of pads), replacement of the springs, check, rebuild, or replacement of wheel cylinders, and shoe adjustment.
When I went with my step-dad to get new tires on his 4Runner, the shop noticed that the pads were needing replacement soon. He quoted us $120 for new front pads, which I think was a great price, factoring $60 for new pads and $60 in labor. Now, since I know how to DIY brakes, I can replace his pads for $60 and save him some money. Since you say you am not a mechanic at all, my advice is to go to your local AutoZone, Advance Auto Parts, NAPA, etc... and buy a Haynes repair manual for a 1994-2001 Dodge Ram pickup. They are less than $20, and are one of the best tools you can have. Even if you do not do your own work and have a shop work on your truck, you can look in the Haynes manual and find out what the shop is doing so you have an idea of what you are paying them to do. Take some time and read through the whole manual, you can learn good, basic stuff. Read the brakes section, and determine if you could save some money and DIY or leave brakes to a trusted shop.
Anyone out there still on the original brakes after 80,000 or so miles?
Thanks much........
I have about 84,000 miles on my 1997 Dodge Ram. How does one know when it's time for a brake job. I'm NOT a mechanic in any way, shape or form. My brakes seem to work very well, but I would like to have someone to check them....Brakes will tell you when they need replacing. Loud and continious squeaking when they are applied will forsee replacement.
Any suggestions about where I should take my truck to get an "honest" opinion on the conditions of my brakes? Also, just ball parkish.... what does a typical brake job cost (I realize there's probably not a typical brake job)? A typical brake job in the front (disc brakes) would be new pads and machining (also known as turning or resurfacing) or replacement of the rotors. Our trucks have drum brakes in the rear. Typical drum brake job would be replacement of the shoes (drum brake equivilent of pads), replacement of the springs, check, rebuild, or replacement of wheel cylinders, and shoe adjustment.
When I went with my step-dad to get new tires on his 4Runner, the shop noticed that the pads were needing replacement soon. He quoted us $120 for new front pads, which I think was a great price, factoring $60 for new pads and $60 in labor. Now, since I know how to DIY brakes, I can replace his pads for $60 and save him some money. Since you say you am not a mechanic at all, my advice is to go to your local AutoZone, Advance Auto Parts, NAPA, etc... and buy a Haynes repair manual for a 1994-2001 Dodge Ram pickup. They are less than $20, and are one of the best tools you can have. Even if you do not do your own work and have a shop work on your truck, you can look in the Haynes manual and find out what the shop is doing so you have an idea of what you are paying them to do. Take some time and read through the whole manual, you can learn good, basic stuff. Read the brakes section, and determine if you could save some money and DIY or leave brakes to a trusted shop.
Anyone out there still on the original brakes after 80,000 or so miles?
Thanks much........
All Star
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 934
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From: scranton, Pa
well i doubt your on your origional set of front pads on a 97 ram with 80,000 on it......just doesnt seem right....and if you are.....i am willing to bet they are ready to be changed. how does you pedal feel. what state do you live in? do you have yearly state inspection? i would just suggest a local garage or jack up the front end...take off a tire...and take a peek at the brake pads....if their less than 2 or 3 / 32 get new ones.
you can pick up a set of pads for between 20 (for junky ones) and 70 for really good ceremic ones. then figure 50 $ an axle to install them (shop price)
you can pick up a set of pads for between 20 (for junky ones) and 70 for really good ceremic ones. then figure 50 $ an axle to install them (shop price)
Hall Of Fame
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 12,204
Likes: 10
From: Gainesville, Ga.
you can go to any tire/brake shop for a free inspection. don't be surprised when they find a long list of things that need to be done..... brakes, shocks, bearings, etc. just make a note of it all. then go to a second shop and see if the opinions match. avoid jiffy-lube's, as they have a bad reputation for rip off.
you can remove the wheel and just look at the thickness of the brake pad. new pads are about 3/8 inch thick. worn out is around 3/16 to 1/8 inch thick. brake shoes on the back are no quite that thick, may 1/4 - 5/16 when new.
pads and shoes at autozone would run you about $60 for all 4 wheels. if you needed front rotors thats another $100 or so. i'd also replace rear wheel cylinders for about another $25. call it $75-200 in parts for a complete job. that'll cost you about twice that at a shop.
if you're interested, and have a good place to work, brakes are an easy do it yourself job.
you can remove the wheel and just look at the thickness of the brake pad. new pads are about 3/8 inch thick. worn out is around 3/16 to 1/8 inch thick. brake shoes on the back are no quite that thick, may 1/4 - 5/16 when new.
pads and shoes at autozone would run you about $60 for all 4 wheels. if you needed front rotors thats another $100 or so. i'd also replace rear wheel cylinders for about another $25. call it $75-200 in parts for a complete job. that'll cost you about twice that at a shop.
if you're interested, and have a good place to work, brakes are an easy do it yourself job.
Thread Starter
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Professional
Joined: Nov 2009
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well i doubt your on your origional set of front pads on a 97 ram with 80,000 on it......just doesnt seem right....and if you are.....i am willing to bet they are ready to be changed. how does you pedal feel. what state do you live in? do you have yearly state inspection? i would just suggest a local garage or jack up the front end...take off a tire...and take a peek at the brake pads....if their less than 2 or 3 / 32 get new ones.
you can pick up a set of pads for between 20 (for junky ones) and 70 for really good ceremic ones. then figure 50 $ an axle to install them (shop price)
you can pick up a set of pads for between 20 (for junky ones) and 70 for really good ceremic ones. then figure 50 $ an axle to install them (shop price)
Hall Of Fame
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 12,204
Likes: 10
From: Gainesville, Ga.
adding onto what purple said about the "squealers"... on the front pads are built in wear out indicators. its just a little metal tab thats on the inside edge of the pad and sticks out maybe 1/8 inch or less. when the pad wears out thin, this metal tab will began to drag on the inside surface of the rotor and make a horrible squealing noise. it doesn't hurt anything, but it will get your attention. the rear doesn't have a noise indicator. the shoes just rear out and put the rivets into the drum and eventually ruins it.
All Star
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 976
Likes: 0
From: Near Lenior NC
Depends on the driver.My wife's last about 50k.Mine last 100K+ My wife's dad's last about 15k b/c he keeps his left foot on the pedal at all times.I always use the best pads I can get and do my own.I tell my son that brakes on my truck don't wear b/c I never use'em lol.
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All Star
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 976
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From: Near Lenior NC
If you can see the sensor(squealer as purple called it) against the rotor it's time to change them.Sometimes the don't "squeal".Usually you have get the rotor turned down a little,but not in every case.