I have a 1999 Dodge Ram 1500 Magnum 5.9 liter with 4 speed automatic and 80,000 miles.

A while back, a metal portion of the brake line shattered (badly rusted) when I had to hard brake to avoid another vehicle. I had that line repaired, and when I left the shop, the ABS light was on (wasn't on before).

Mechanic suggested disconnecting the ABS. Light went out, but braking became problematic. If I hit a bump while braking, it felt like the brakes would disappear or release, then suddenly clamp down. I'd hear and feel a very hard knock or bang--like someone hit something under the truck with a sledge hammer.

I reconnected the ABS, and the light has stayed off since. The brakes seemed to function normally, until recently.

To make a long story short, the ABS light is NOT on, but I'm getting that same behavior when braking. If I happen to hit a good bump while braking, it's scary. It feels like the brakes disappear, then suddenly it's like something's locking up and I get that sledge hammer thing again.

There's more going on: The suspension is shot. I need 4 new ball joints, both outer U-joints, right front wheel bearings, steering shock, and front shocks.

Could the braking problems be because the suspension is shot, or is it more likely the ABS is bad?

Oh, the exhaust system is shot, too. My big worry is that after dumping 2 grand into this for the suspension and exhaust, I'm going to find out the ABS is bad, too.

 

You have an ABS problem and your mechanic said to just unplug it and not fix it? If that's the case I would be looking for a new mechanic!

 

Well, was it an ABS problem?

I took the truck to a reputable shop when the brake line failed. They repaired the brake line. When I picked the truck up, the ABS light was on--and it wasn't on before the brake line failure.

Disconnecting the ABS temporarily was supposed to clear the code, if nothing was actually wrong with the ABS. I left it disconnected for a day or two, and when I reconnected it, the ABS light was off.

Would an ABS problem suddenly develop because someone repaired a brake line? Could there be an ABS problem even though the ABS light isn't on?

Why am I going on about the ABS? Because of the weird way the truck acts when I hit a bump while braking. Initially, it feels like the brakes give out, then there is a clanking and sudden reapplication of the brakes.

Maybe my worn-out suspension is to blame? Maybe there really is a problem with the ABS?

Right now, the truck's in the shop having the exhaust system replaced. The suspension is next on my hit list.

 

Disconnect the neg battery cable and turn your headlites on for a minute. Turn headlites off, reconnect battery terminal and see if anything changes.

 

Roger that.

Exhaust system was swapped out today. The difference is amazing; I feel like I just got a brand new truck. It's amazing how much a bad catalytic converter can ruin your ride. Can't wait to get the suspension overhauled.

 

Normally that is what the ABS does when the vehicle hits a bump it starts to skid and that turns the abs on which pulsades the brake system so that the vehicle stops skidding. But I do not know about the clanking should not clank. The feeling you feel where the brakes are being released is your abs system working

 

To me, that feeling is terrifying. I feel like I've lost control. If that's what ABS brakes are supposed to feel like, I'm not sure I ever want them in anything else I drive.

Suspension gets overhauled Monday. I can't wait!

 

Don't forget that there is a reason the cat clogged. https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...um-thread.html

 

All the ABS does is sends a pulsationb feeling through you peddle. If it is more than that there is something else the problem.

 

Had upper and lower ball joints, front outer U-joints, RF wheel bearing, and steering shock replaced. It's not as smooth riding as when I got it years ago, but it's a far cry from where it was. Mostly, the handling is better and the truck doesn't go wild over every little bump and pothole.

I'll look into the plenum gasket once I have a little more cash on hand.