Hello all. Please excuse me because I am a "newbie" to this site, but I did take some time and tried searching for a solution first.

I have a 1998 Dodge Ram 5.9 V8. About a month ago I changed the front brake pads. I did not bleed them (Didn't know if I had to) and they squealed for a couple of weeks but work fine now.

A week ago the brake and ABS light came on. Checked fluid, it was out so I refilled and worked fine...untill today.

Drove for a few minutes and noticed brake pedal almost touches the floor. Checked fluid, it was empty, and filled it up. Drove for about 30 minutes and still had problem. Checked fluid and it was GONE! Driver's side rear tire leaked BF on my driveway. Any clues on what I need to check, replace, buy?

Thank you all in advance!!!

 

Ok, sounds like you have a broken line. If you can, fill the fluid and have someone pump the breaks for you while looking where you could see the fluid. If it's not a broken line, it could be a bad caliper/wheel cylinder. In general, you get the peddle from your rear breaks.

 

from your first post, when changing brake pads, you do NOT have to bleed the brakes. you can bleed them any time, no harm, but you only need to bleed them after you open the lines and get air in them.

back to your problem. as said you have a leak, either in the hard line, the connection at the rear wheel cylinder, or the cylinder itself. do the inspection and replace what's broken. rear wheel cylinder is only about $12-15. it sounds like a slow wheel cylinder leak because if it was a main hard line, you'd blow out fluid in a big time way and your pedal would go immediately to the floor.

you will need to bleed the brakes after this repair, since the lines have been opened up and sucked in air.

 

Morning all, and thanks so much for the replies! I have replaced the rear wheel cylinder because it seemed to be the problem. It lasted about 20 minutes, blew up, and fluid went everywhere again. I have done this twice now. Second time it lasted a day. I have now replaced both sides and I am crossing my fingers that it will work. If not I'll be walking the 6 miles to work. Will let you all know this evening.

 

If you are blowing up wheel cylinders, something else is wrong........

 

Sorry it took me so long to reply. Need help once again. I replaced the rear wheel cylinder (drivers side) and installed new brake shoes on both sides. I did this Wednesday. It worked till Monday. The damn wheel cylinder blew again. Please please please help me!

Do I need to replace both sides at the same time? Could it be I bled the brakes wrong? (I started rear driver, rear pass, front pass, front driver) Master cylinder going out? Please I need help!!

 

Im no help on the wheel cylinders blowin out, but as far as bleeding them always start with the farthest from the master cylinder and work closer. Passenger rear, driver rear, passenger front, driver front.

 

When you replaced the shoes, did you replace the hardware that came with it. I.E all the springs and the adjuster. Then also if the wheel cylinder blew already did you double check the push rod coming out of the cylinder was properly in the groves of the shoes.

Sorry those might not be the technical names but I just did my rear shoes, adjuster, wheel seals, and wheel cylinders this past weekend.

 

I am almost certain that wheel cylinders should be replaced in pairs....

 

I had this same problem after doing my rear drums. It was the pistons that go from shoe to shoe had gotten air in them. Had to bleed all the brakes and I was good to go again. You may not have something installed correctly or set your adjustment wheel properly and it is letting the pistons bleed all the way out (slowly). I did all the brake work myself, then got a professional to bleed out all lines and adjust the wheels properly. Cost me 40$ and the flushed the brake fluid. I would check all your lines you may just have a small clog somewhere and are building pressure. That is the good thing about flushing. Just my two cents, im never opposed to people correcting me though. Zman? HeyYou? Aim4?

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...rhaul-diy.html

Theres my DIY if it will help