2nd Gen Ram Tech 1994-2001 Rams: This section is for TECHNICAL discussions only, that involve the 1994 through 2001 Rams. For any non-tech discussions, please direct your attention to the "General discussion/NON-tech" sub sections.

brakes that don't brake

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 01-23-2018, 08:21 PM
somethingfunny's Avatar
somethingfunny
somethingfunny is offline
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Angry brakes that don't brake

so I have a 98 2500 Ram with I believe all wheel anti-lock, had to repair/replace some lines, everything after ABS, I've pushed 2 quarts of fluid through the system and when I test drove, first time Applying brakes...straight to the floor like it blew a line and when I let up ABS activated. I did regain some brakes but not enough to drive with, pedal is still squishy. What am I missing? Bad master cylinder? Still got air in system? WTF!
 
  #2  
Old 01-23-2018, 09:03 PM
Torxhead's Avatar
Torxhead
Torxhead is offline
Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Yorba Linda,Ca.
Posts: 267
Received 9 Likes on 9 Posts
Default

If have heard of a lot of guys having issues bleeding a brake system and having issues. Usually its when the fluid gets drained out of the proportioning valve. When you bleed the system, make sure you start with the longest line first, then work your way to the shortest. I use the bleeder cups you can get at most auto parts stores, always having fluid over the inside tube and eliminating all the bubbles. And it does take a lot of fluid to do the whole system, recording mileage and date.
 
  #3  
Old 01-23-2018, 09:34 PM
HeyYou's Avatar
HeyYou
HeyYou is offline
Administrator
Dodge Forum Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Clayton MI
Posts: 80,768
Likes: 0
Received 3,178 Likes on 2,931 Posts
Default

Is the brake lite on? Does it come on when you step on the brake?
 
  #4  
Old 01-24-2018, 09:52 PM
somethingfunny's Avatar
somethingfunny
somethingfunny is offline
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

The brake light did, but I have since bleed the valve out, now there just soft without any light. Guess ill just push more fluid through must be air somewhere.
 
  #5  
Old 01-25-2018, 03:07 AM
MoparFanatic21's Avatar
MoparFanatic21
MoparFanatic21 is offline
Legend
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 8,032
Received 306 Likes on 298 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by somethingfunny
The brake light did, but I have since bleed the valve out, now there just soft without any light. Guess ill just push more fluid through must be air somewhere.
There is a special way to bleed 4 wheel abs brakes. Also did you bench bleed the master cylinder? There is also a valve that can get stuck and you may have to replace. You also may have to reset the ABS valve and ABS computer.
 
  #6  
Old 01-25-2018, 12:58 PM
V65Ozzie's Avatar
V65Ozzie
V65Ozzie is offline
Professional
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Wilson NC
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by somethingfunny
so I have a 98 2500 Ram with I believe all wheel anti-lock, had to repair/replace some lines, everything after ABS, I've pushed 2 quarts of fluid through the system and when I test drove, first time Applying brakes...straight to the floor like it blew a line and when I let up ABS activated. I did regain some brakes but not enough to drive with, pedal is still squishy. What am I missing? Bad master cylinder? Still got air in system? WTF!
I have seen the rubber cups in the MC tear if the pedal was full stroked while the system was being bled, when this happens you will get a sinking pedal. I usually vac bleed, and if I have to pump, just use short strokes. I do do know that some Chrysler products had a weird master cylinder that worked fine, but, if you really pressed hard on the pedal they would sink to the floor, Chrysler told me this was normal, apparently they had a bypass in them to prevent them from overpressuring, however, I don't believe they have used that system since the 80's.
 

Last edited by V65Ozzie; 01-25-2018 at 01:00 PM.
  #7  
Old 02-21-2018, 01:41 PM
somethingfunny's Avatar
somethingfunny
somethingfunny is offline
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Still struggling with the brakes, bled everything, master cylinder, proportioning valve, abs module, each wheel independently starting with left rear and ending with right front. Went for a test drive 25mph push on the brakes and abs pump kicks on, pedal hard as a rock but little braking affect, lights on dash didn't';t come on, go a little further same thing except light does come on when I let off brake pedal. What the F! Anybody?
 
  #8  
Old 02-21-2018, 01:47 PM
MoparFanatic21's Avatar
MoparFanatic21
MoparFanatic21 is offline
Legend
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 8,032
Received 306 Likes on 298 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by somethingfunny
Still struggling with the brakes, bled everything, master cylinder, proportioning valve, abs module, each wheel independently starting with left rear and ending with right front. Went for a test drive 25mph push on the brakes and abs pump kicks on, pedal hard as a rock but little braking affect, lights on dash didn't';t come on, go a little further same thing except light does come on when I let off brake pedal. What the F! Anybody?
Almost like your ABS system isn't working right. If ABS kicked in at 25 Ruth you barely touching the brakes, that's not normal.
 
  #9  
Old 02-22-2018, 08:01 PM
HeyYou's Avatar
HeyYou
HeyYou is offline
Administrator
Dodge Forum Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Clayton MI
Posts: 80,768
Likes: 0
Received 3,178 Likes on 2,931 Posts
Default

Getting vacuum boost for your brakes? Is the pedal always rock hard?
 
  #10  
Old 02-24-2018, 02:11 PM
somethingfunny's Avatar
somethingfunny
somethingfunny is offline
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

ok so my latest mis-step, I eliminated the ABS, just bypassed it, bleed system, pedal is hard when truck is off and mushy when its running and now back brakes aren't releasing fir ****, time to part it out and scrap it? Yes its getting vacuum, that's probably the problem, brake pedal hard when I unplug vacuum lead and mushy when I plug back in. Only bought this truck because its the same year as my other one that just died, figured I could swap parts and make one work right, so far no luck, now I have 2, 20 year old POS sitting in my driveway and probably could have bought a running truck with the $ I'm wasting.
 


Quick Reply: brakes that don't brake



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:08 AM.