Hello,
I have a 2001 1500 Ram Club Cab Off Road Edition that has developed an unusual problem. After replaceing the rear axel bearings/seals and brake shoes it will Hop (for lack of a better term) or bounce while brakeing. It is felt in the front as well. I thought it was the back shoes not tight enough, but I adjusted them and no change. I dont know if they are correct however because this is the first posi that I have done brake shoe adjustments to. I normally tighten the adjuster untill the wheel locks and then back off a little.

However this is hard to do with both wheels turning from the posi, any advise? I have to tear into the rear this weekend to replace a noisy pinion bearing and would like to eliminate this while I'm at it. I dont think it is a warped front rotor, because their is no side to side shake, only a weird bounce... depending on how hard you break, sometimes very violently...

 

The rear brake adjustment has nothing to do with whether or not you have a posi rear end.. And a bad rotor will give you pulsing on the brake pedal also.

 

First of all, drum brakes are my kryptonite. I hate them ever so much. I had a gen 1 ram (4 of them) years ago & did a rear brake job & had your problem. I removed the drums & everything was still exactly where I put it, but it turned out I put some springs in backwards. I also had super weak shocks. Did I mention how much I love disc brakes?

 

Couple possibilities......

Shoes installed backwards. The shoes with the shorter linings go on the front side of the axle.

Drums or rotors are warped. If you feel it more thru the steering wheel, its the front brakes, if you feel it more thru your seat, it's the rear brakes. Posi doesn't matter.

Some variety of contamination on the drums/rotors.... a little bit of grease will REALLY make your brakes do funny things......

 

What I meant by posi, is that it is hard to judge wheel drag when both wheels are " turning" while in the air...

Heyyou, thanks for the suggestion, but the short ones are in the front and all new verified position hardware including adjusters.


I'm leaning towards out of round drums... I'll try to get them turned or order new ones...
it's felt all in the seat/truck...steering wheel stays steady...

 

IMO, go with new drums. I wouldn't 'turn' them.

Have you checked your ABS system?

 

Just rock the wheel back and forth. You don't have to spin it.

 

In the middle of my pinion bearing swap...( oh what fun ), but I found my problem. I have a leaking wheel cylinder on the passenger side, not enough to drain out of the wheel, but enough to really gum up the shoes and around them... Looks like I get to take all of that hardware off again and rebuild the wheel cylinder. I wanted to get a new one, but my Dad says he has the parts to rebuild it... ( owns a garage...)

 

They are totally rebuildable, it's not difficult, and it's WAY cheaper.

 

Glad you found the problem. Just wanted to mention that I just did my rear brakes last week after reinstalling the rear end. PO had put primary shoes on drivers side, and secondary shoes on pass. side. I've seen a lot of things, but first time I had seen that.