I just replaced both front calipers and pads. rotors were fine. The truck has been sitting for about 2 and a half years. i got the truck running and driving. I moved the truck up to my friends garage before i changed the calipers, and noticed i just took a lot to get it to move. Had to give a fair amount of throttle to move it. After replacing both calipers and pads, i took it for a drive down the road. It still feels like the brakes are hanging up. I'm probably gonna go out by my truck today and jack up the rear and put it in gear to see what happens...

Also having problems with my brake pedal.. If i push the brake pedal, it doesn't stay in one spot. It slowly continues to go to the floor. Like its slowly leaking fluid or pressure.. Since im not seeing any fluid anywhere, I'm guessing my master cylinder or brake booster is bad?

Is there any common brake problems with these trucks?

Any input is appreciated

Thank you

 

Booster is sticking, Replace it. You removed any/all rust on the rotors before putting the parts on correct? The drums in the rear are probably covered in rust to so clean them also.

 

-brake pedal going to the floor...


When my brake pedal did that, after I did the brakes and lines, I had a teeny leak. It actually almost a week before the problem was noticeable. The leak was hard to find, leaking at the junction block sitting atop the rear axle. Seeping along the top of the axle but no drips.

 

Bump... anymore ideas?

 

My first guess would be master cylinder going out... literally just a guess though.

Only common brake problems I've heard of with these trucks is; front rubber lines going bad, and the steel line going to the back brakes rusting out in the frame behind the fuel tank. Many have stated that the leak behind the gas tank wasn't noticeable until the tank was dropped. If I remember right, they just noticed spongy brakes and an unexplained loss of fluid. Just a couple things to look at.

 

As far as the rubber front line issue mentioned...... it sometimes takes takes 2 to diagnose, but ultimately it seems they like collapsing and ballooning.

I have seen before, not just on Dodges, If the soft lines get enough deterioration they may "sweat" under load, and then collapse after load release.
If they are so bad they sweat they will not maintain enough line vacuum to stay collapsed for very long usually....as well as your spongy to floor issue may be explained by this.

I know any vehicle left sitting for two years totally unmoved or ran...parts tends to become a bit dry and sticky.

Look at the rear MC plunger components, seeing how you did the front brakes, but also rust build up in the drums from sitting could be making them drag a bit.

Something to consider is rusted/hung drum self adjusters.......the 97 Intrepid we had before the Ram, had both drum adjuster rusted solid, and one had a fork sheared off.
(I mention the 'trepid a lot because it had a lot of neglect,and improper repairs to fix before it was a good car again)

Take a look at is the reservoir lid, and fluid color. Dark fluid is either dirty or burnt. If burnt then the brakes are in fact hanging up, but if it is dark from what appears to be tiny flecks of black sand or silt grit, then you have an open spot in the line somewhere.

I had to replace the lid and gasket on our fluid reservoir when we got our Ram because the lid was cracked and the diaphragm kept getting sucked down into the reservoir......which gave us crappy brake force to no braking as well as took the pedal to the floor.Not long after that the line running in the frame to the axle junction exploded at the point between the cab and Bed.

Just thought of something else, badly burnt axle oil or a partially dried out axle could make things somewhat difficult to move as well as dried out or rusted wheel bearings.

 

I also would like to clarify possible rusted or dry wheel bearings in the following context.....

I am assuming this thread is in reference to the "1995 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 5.9L(360)" noted at the side of your replies.

I am assuming You personally have not looked at the internal condition of the rear axle, rear brake hardware, or any of the wheel bearings, as well as have no clear indication of previous maintenance and repairs done or alternatively neglected.