Hi all, I have a 1997 ram 1500 4x4 5.2l with 194k miles.
This is my first full size truck and wonder if the way this truck brakes is normal.
There is no squeaking or grinding, fluid level is good and the pedal seems to be firm, but if I need to stop quickly it just takes a lot longer than it seems that it should. I also notice that under heavy braking, the truck seems to "twist" to the left, not pull. (sorta like its dipping to the front left, and lifting from the back right, very hard to explain) Now I know that action isnt normal, but the sluggish stopping is dangerous and I hope there is a fix. If it is normal for this truck, than its just another reason I have to get rid of this POS! (I've had quite a bit of trouble with it)
Any Ideas would be great

BBA

 

It sounds like you might have a caliper locking up or clogged lines somewhere. If there is a severe "twist" to the left and you are unsure about your skills in diagnosing brakes I recommend taking your truck to a brake shop to have it diagnosed. This is not something that I would wait on. The safety of you, your family if you have one and those on the road around you depend on it.

 

Yeah that's what I'll probably do. I may have more than one issue here.
I know there are several factors in how long it takes to stop, but this truck feels very heavy on braking. How would you describe your Ram's braking? Just wondering...

 

Strong pedal but it doesn't take leg might to push it down. As for large trucks it stops great. I don't have the left or right twist when I brake. Sounds like you might have caliper sized up, master cylinder failing, brake booster failing, or leaking rear seals. Rear axle seal leaks can cause brakes to grab really bad but so can the others.

 

My brakes are in perfect working order but have always seemed to stop to slow for my liking. Plenty of upgrades are available, but as of now they stop me when I want them too. I would definitely look into what is going on with yours. I have never heard of a twisting feeling from braking. Could be any number of things causing that feeling.

 

Pulling is the front, twisting is the rear usually . Pull the drums and check them and adjust the rears properly, and the prob may be solved.

 

If 1 of the hard metal brake lines on the frame got pressed in, that will cause your issue. Here in Iowa, running over a snow dam that is more ice dam in the winter commonly causes that. Also, would be a great idea to remove all caliper slide bolts, sand them clean if they are corroded & lube them again, all as mentioned above. I would add, that if your brake fluid looks more like pancake syrup than water, flush it all out with fresh fluid & you will notice the difference.

 

I'm gonna say your shocks are probably shot too...especially with that mileage...if one of your shocks is blown out you will get strange behavior. New front shocks made a day and night difference in stopping for me... POS? With close to 200,00 miles you have to expect it to nickel and dime you with such maintenance items at this point... thats more than they were built to average and many were scrapped by that point.

 

I have a brake problem as well, Pulled off the drums to find the passenger rear cylinder down for the count.

 

Very easy to rebuild. Almost all parts stores carry rebuild kits for them. Just remember this is a good time to flush the system too.