Just traded my dakota for a ram and one of the issues I have is that when my truck has been sitting for a while, my brake pedal is completely hard until starting the truck. "hard as in pumping it a couple of times with it turned off"

 

Probably a leaking brake booster.

 

ive never done anything dealing with a brake booster before, any way to diagnose and fix the problem? would this link help?

http://www.ehow.com/how_8036818_trou...-ram-2500.html

 

The brake pedal will be do this when the engine isn't running. There is no vacuum assist...especially after pumping whatever residual was left.

KOEO; Pump the brakes until the pedal gets hard. Continue holding the pedal down and start the engine. The pedal should drop slowly.

Generic BB test: http://www.ehow.com/how_7507543_test...-boosters.html

 

huh, how would my 98 dakota still have a soft pedal before starting after sitting for a week with a 3.9l?

 

You need to be more specific as to what model Ram we are discussing.

Yes, the residual vacuum will remain in the booster until you push the pedal. If the pedal stayed soft after several pumps, something was wrong with it. It's possible you were just used to a leaking brake booster.

Is your system vacuum assist or hydraulic assist?

 

Mine would be hard as soon as I hit it with my old booster.
And that old booster made me fail an inspection, so it got replaced. Stops great now.

 

i have no issue with stopping as far as im aware. what im saying is that when i go to get into my truck and go to start it after it sitting for a few hours. the brake pedal is hard before starting the truck, when it should be soft.

 

Download the factory service manual from the FAQs, it'll tell you how it works... but I'll tell you myself anyway.

Is it hard on the FIRST application of the brakes (with engine off obviously)? If so replace the booster if you want.

Testing the booster accumulator according to the FSM ; start the truck, apply brakes and turn the steering wheel lock to lock (accumulator is now charged), turn the truck off and let sit for one hour. After this one hour period, the brakes should have at least 2 power assisted brake applications with the engine off. If this test is failed, replace the booster.