Any special tips about a front brake job on a 97? I have done many brake jobs on various vehicles and all worked great except on my Ram 1500. It wouldn't stop. I had to take it to the dealer 5 times before they could get decent braking. They gave me a ton of excuses each time I went back such as don't use AutoZone pads, always have to bleed after replacing pads, front and back brakes aren't synchronized, all things I had never heard of. The truck is old enough that I really don't want to continue to pay for brake jobs. Thanks!!

 

Welcome to DF!

Buy GOOD quality pads.
Have the rotors turned, or replace them when you do brakes.
Don't forget the anti-squeal compound on the backs of the pads. (I bought a can of the spray on stuff. Very easy to use.)

Has your brake system ever been flushed?

 

Since you're doing that, might as well upgrade to the 2500 calipers and cylinders. It makes a "yuge" difference, seriously.

 

Thanks for the help guys. I thought NAPA pads would be better than AutoZone but they didn't work well either. Good tips on the full flush since never been done and on the 2500 upgrade. Much appreciated!

 

Where you get the pads isn't nearly so important as what type of pads you get. The cheapy fellers will never give you the braking performance you would like. Considering how important brakes are, spend the money, get the premium pads, and I think you will be happier.

And yes, the caliper/wheel cylinder upgrades are most certainly worthwhile.

 

Don't get ceramic pads either, I made that mistake one time. One year after buying them I had almost no pad left and crappy braking the whole time. I changed them under warranty and a year later I changed them again and the pads looked like they hadn't had anything worn off of them. Ceramic pads are for little cars.

If the rotors aren't too thin (check with a dial caliper) and not grooved then I just put a haze on them with some 220 grit sandpaper.

Duralast gold brake pads have been some pretty good ones for me, Wearever Thermoquiet and Frictionmaster (ceramic) not so much.

 

Thanks!

 

Don't even get semi-metallic either! and of course no Chinese stuff.

 

Can you even GET decent non-metallic pads??

 

Yeah, probably...



....from china!