2001 Ram 2500 Disc rear but I swapped in a drum rear. I have two problems I can't figure out and would like some ideas before I tear into them.

1. Rear brakes are dragging. You run the truck for a few miles get out and you can smell them. This just happened today. I loosen the E brake cable thinking I had it to tight (even though it was like this for weeks)

2. The E brake only holds the truck when the nose is facing down hill. If it's facing up hill (even slightly) E brake doesn't hold.

 

I just did that swap recently, but I went the other way (2001 disc brake Dana 60 from '96 rear drum brake Dana 60 to get rear disc brakes and 4.10 gearing). Are the E-brake cables going to the wheels in great shape and not rusted/hanging? Have you pulled the rear drums to carefully inspect the brake shoes to ensure that they are mounted properly and the adjusters are working correctly? Also, what type of wheels are you running in the rear? I'm running the 16x8 2001 factory aluminum wheels and they require clearancing of the brake drum at the outer stiffening rib to bolt-on correctly.

 

Sorry should have added everything is new. Literally everything brake wise and emergency brake wise. I did the swap temporary to regear the axles. The truck came with aftermarket wheels with a lot of offset.

 

Did you break the bleeder valve to see if it is holding pressure?

 

Didn't do anything yet as it really cold here and can't use my garage so everything has to be done outside. I don't think it would be that as well three break lines are new (hate and soft). I'm thinking maybe a bad return spring. I am trying to get both The rear brakes and three parking brake working in one shot.

 

Are the rears holding adjustment? Got the short shoes toward the front?

 

Yep short is towards the front. What do you mean holding adjustment? I know the self adjusters work

 

Sometimes the adjusters work TOO well, other times, they don't work at all.....

 

They actually might be the issue. How is that fixed?

 

I just pulled mine all apart, cleaned everything REALLY well, replaced the easy to get hardware, and reassembled. (I had to do wheel cylinders anyway..... they were leaking.) Don't forget to do something with the swept surface of the drums...... I ended up just hitting them with some 80 grit sandpaper, as I couldn't find anyone that would turn them for me. (and my buddy sold his brake lathe....... I may end up buying one........ maybe do a side business. ) I used antiseize on the adjusters. Lubes them up, keeps them free, but, is thick enough, that they don't turn when the wind blows from the right direction.