I have a 2003 ram 1500 and just replaced both hubs and while I had it all apart I replaced the pads. The inner pad was all the way worn due to a bad hub.Put everything back togeather and now my brakes feel like they are fading just driving, I just tried a panic stop and my pedal went down a few inches then got so hard like it bottomed out but didnt come to a quick stop. I have put maybe 300 miles on it since doing the pads and did not put new rotors on because they didnt look bad, there drilled and slotted. What could cause this? should I bleed the brakes, maybe it can be the rear pads? I just dont know. Ive never had a problem.
Thanks

 

Start with bleeding the brakes. If you've never done it before then it is time since your truck is an 03. You probably have drawn moisture into the brake fluid over time. Water is compressible and will make the pedal spongy.

 

Sounds like classic symptoms of air in the line or water. If it's that bad, spongy then hard it would seem like air. Bleeding the brakes should take care of that as long as you didn't blow a line. Also, may be obvious but check the fluid level first and make sure that's good and then refill after bleeding. There should be a DIY on brake bleeding on here somewhere, its pretty easy.

 

heres a pretty good discussion on brakes and some bleeding advice from dirty

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/3rd-gen...t=bleed+brakes

 

I recently replaced everything on my front end also. I also pulled the caliper off and rebuilt them. After putting them back on the I obviously have to bleed them. I have what's called the 1 man brake bleeder from Autozone and also available from Harbor Freight.

Start with the rear pass, then the rear drivers, then front driver's and finally front pass. I just put an empty jar under the tool and let the fluid drain it it. All bubbles gone and all clear fluid and 100 percent brakes

 

I just did pads and calipers on my 04, boots around the pistons were shot. Make sure you don't run the reservoir dry while bleeding, you'll be in for a headache! A 3 foot piece of fishtank tubing and wife/friend recommended!

 

^^^ just fyi, it costs about $5 to rebuild the calipers.

 

Weed if calipers seized are they still salvageable? You have a guide to rebuild? Replacing my brakes Saturday as normal maintenance as previous owner just did fronts. But I wanna redo and upgrade to better pads. If I find bad caliper is rather fix myself n save.

 

Yeah, its a biotch to get the piston out though. I one 1 of 2 pistons in each of my front calipers frozen due to broken dust boots.

 

Got brand new front set for $20 off a friend that never used em. Was worth it imo.