Well, turns out i somehow ran out of brake fluid ..... now i have hardly no brakes but the slightest little bit when the pedal is pushed to the floor. I have a 99 Ram 1/2 ton 4X4. I would just like to know how to go about bleeding it?!?!? Do i just bleed the front 2 calipers? Or do i have to bleed the back drums as well?!?!? When i ran out of fluid, the ABS and parking brake lights came on as well..... is there any addional work that needs to be done to get rid of these lights??

 

First of all, you should figure out how you ran out of fluid, because it doesn't just happen [&:] Either you have a leak somewhere, or a component in the system failed. If your lights came on, then something is definitely wrong.

Also, to answer your question...you have to bleed all 4.

 

Hmmm..... well yah, i found it odd as well that i ran out of fluid, but i can't see anywhere where it coulda gone or leaked out of... everything is in great shape... maybe my stupidity and haven't checked the level, but still, u wouldn't think it would take up a 200mL of brake fluid in 8 months would it?

But i did bleed the front 2 calipers... and everything seems to be working fine now... and the ABS and Parking brake lights have dissapeared. Is it possible for the truck to be able to sense that there is air in the brake line... or that the brake system is not working???

Also, is it necessary to bleed the rear drums as well? because it does seem everything is good..... and i can lock up the back tires... And if i do have to bleed them, are the bleeding screws just as easily accessible as the fronts?

 

i would personally do it just to be sure. Even tho you have it fixed for now. Maybe when you are bleeding the backs you can see a problem. The backs are actually easier to get to than the front too...

 

Have you pulled the rear drums and checked for a leaking wheel cylinder? That could explain the loss of fluid. Also, you should have rear wheel anti-lock brakes, so the rear wheels should not slide. If the rear wheel cylinder is leaking, you may have gotten fluid on the brakes shoes, which might cause them to lock up. I think that the reservior has a float in it, so when your fluid drops too low, the brake light will come on. By adding fluid when you bled the brakes, the level comes up and turns off the brake light. If the brakes are spongy, then you still have air in the lines.

 

on the abs / brake light coming on i had same problem mine was abs sensor in pumpkin.. if u replace that be careful not pull the metal over the sensor its a pain to get it out if that hapens

 

Like ASH said, you should have RWAL, it comes standard or at least it did on my truck, so your rear wheels should NOT lock up on you, this would explain the lights. Bleed the rear wheels, if your fluid was that low then air mostly definitely got to your rear brakes. Start with the rear passenger, rear driver, front passenger and then front driver. Always start from the piston furthest away from the fluid resevoir. Check your pumpkin sensor, its cheap, and the wheel cyclinders. If the cylinders need replacing, upgrade them to a 3/4 ton cylinder, more stopping more is always good. Also check your fuses for the lights that may be the cause for those aswell. Finially, FIND THE CAUSE OF THE LEAK, BRAKE FLUID IS FLAMMABLE AND YOUR NOT THE BATMOBILE!!!!!!

 

what year are we in...

 

I had the brake lines burst on my camper a couple summers ago and my brother was behind me and said that I looked like the batmobile with flames coming out frm beehind me!

 

You know, I almost posted the same comment, but I've already gotten tired head from how many times this happens. Who on earth goes searching for 2 year old posts and tries to help out?