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Dodge Ram Braking Questions

dmab65dmab65 Member Posts: 5
in Dodge
Do all 98 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4's have 4 wheel ABS?

Thanks!
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Comments

  • ff1825ff1825 Member Posts: 7
    I have been looking at full size Chevy/GMC, Ford and Dodge extended cab trucks and cannot understand why Ram's only come with REAR ABS and Dodge makes a buyer pay extra for 4 wheel ABS.

    From what I can gather after a LOT of research is that on the Ram 1500 4 wheel ABS is only available as part of the Stability Program Package and I have not seen a single 2007 Ram 1500 that has this option. (I've done a lot of on-line inventory searches.)

    If there are any Dodge salespeople who read
    read these posts feel free to e-mail at bichonboys@comcast.net.

    P.S. Does anyone know when the cut off date is to order a 2007?
  • dustykdustyk Member Posts: 2,926
    Actually, on a GM or a Ford you are paying for the 4-wheel anti-lock brakes, its just part of the base price.

    There is some contention in the industry about the effectiveness of 4-wheel anti-lock brakes as well as the increased cost of maintenance and potential for failure. GM in particular has had reliability problems with the wheel sensors and the brake controllers.

    Testing across various automotive platforms indicates that stopping distances are longer on vehicles equiped with 4-wheel anti-lock brakes. In addition, some will point out that on a light duty pick-up where the majority of maximum laden weight is on the rear axles, rear-wheel anti-lock is just as or more effective as 4-wheel.

    Dodge gives the buyer the option to "option-out" of 4-wheel anti-lock brakes.

    Regards,
    Dusty
  • ff1825ff1825 Member Posts: 7
  • kenromanskenromans Member Posts: 1
    1997 Dodge Ram 3500 4x4 extended cab diesel automatic LEMON. Latest problem - brakes locked up and almost caused an accident. Every time the steering wheel turns the brakes lock. Harder I turn the steering the harder the brakes go on. Can watch the pedal depress as I turn the wheel. Happened suddenly and almost caused an accident!!! Had to "play" with the steering back and forth to get the truck moved out of the path of other cars. Any suggestions to what this latest problem is with my LEMON truck. (Lots of weird problem stories with this truck).

    kenromans@comcast.net
  • KCRamKCRam Member Posts: 3,516
    Sounds like you blew a brake hose. I lost one on my 1996 3500 Club Cab dually in February 2005... right front brake would lock up at very inopportune times. New brake hoses, new caliper, new pads, resurfaced rotor, and all was right again.

    kcram - Pickups Host
  • goaliegoalie Member Posts: 16
    I have researched pads on-line and was confused at first #758 fits both vans and pu's....#842 is for pu's ONLY. Finally learned that BENDIX pads have a clip that is universal to all pistons, so they use the 758 number for all Dodges, while all other mfgers. have a different clip conf. so vans are 758....and pu's are 842. Don't make the same mistake I did and order the wrong pads.
  • goaliegoalie Member Posts: 16
    Has anyone been able to find a brake pad that emits little or no brake dust? Cleaning rims is a paind.
  • roadkill9mmroadkill9mm Member Posts: 2
    We are having a problem w/the brakes on our 94 Ram. When we hit the brakes it takes off to the right and we have a ton of brake dust on the front right brake. The brake pads, calipers, hoses have been replaced and the rotors have been turned. Does anyone have any suggestions to correct the problem?
  • corkscrewcorkscrew Member Posts: 254
    First check for loose suspension components and if all is tight and in place then check for a stuck piston in the caliper. Also be sure the caliper slide rails are lubricated.
    Regards
    Corkscrew
  • roadkill9mmroadkill9mm Member Posts: 2
    Thanks for the response. The suspension has been checked and the calipers are all new. Pretty much everything was replaced. And the slide rails are lubricated (brand new). Would you have any other ideas? Thanks.
  • corkscrewcorkscrew Member Posts: 254
    Check the hydraulic system. There is a metering valve that balances the force between the front and rear brakes. To check the metering valve have someone apply the brakes while you watch the valve stem (the small black button on the front of the combination valve). The stem should extend slightly when the brakes are applied and retract when the brakes are released.
    Regards
    Corkscrew
  • myobmyob Member Posts: 53
    I realize that the post this relates to is an old one, but I need to comment on the fairly apologistic comments made.

    1. A feature experiencing reliability problems isn't a reason to nix it. It is a reason to FIX it. And if it IS unreliable, why include it on ANY Rams? Certainly those paying extra for added safety deserve to actually get it.
    2. I had two minor accidents due to a pickup with rear ABS only locking up the fronts under heavy load and sliding. I sold the truck because modluating the brakes sufficiently to stop in panic situations when loaded was not possible. So I'm a believer in this technology and can attest that having no front ABS is not an advantage. I've later had to make very similar stops in a 4 wheel abs equipped Ram and a Toyota Tacoma and had no problems. It sure works for me.
    3. Dodge effectively does NOT give the buyer much of an option, as the package containing the 4 wheel ABS feature is virtually unavailable, and usually not w/o special ordering (where one risks losing rebate offers upon delivery) or buying a heavily loaded model.
    4. The majority of the braking, even in a laden truck, is still done by the FRONT brakes. And what about when the truck is not loaded? These are front heavy vehicles. Rear ABS is important but so is front.
    5. If it's so unreliable why put it on the rear axle at all? Perhaps its a govn't requirement? But if it fails in the front wouldn't it fail in the rear also?
    6. Tests show minor differences in stopping distances favoring no ABS. But this is not a factor in the real world, especially when done by non-pro drivers in panic situations. They are unlikely to be able to modulate braking sufficiently to equal the ABS computer.
    7. The 4 wheel ABS WAS an option easy to get on previous models of Rams. Again, why limit the choice at all if one is pro-choice?
    8. If they were interested in safety and choice, they'd make the stability control more widely available. Finding zero trucks on a lot with it isn't much of a choice.

    Sorry, but it sounds like Dodge blew it on this decision. My brother in fact just wrote me that he nixed a Ram purchase because of this feature missing on in-stock models available with big rebates.
  • tjachtjach Member Posts: 1
    I have a 2000 ram 2500 diesel and the front left brake hose has sprung a leak, I tried the dealer to get a new hose and they quoted me about 800.00 dollars. this seems a little high to me, im looking for other options but its like pulling teeth to find any other solutions, any help would be great.
  • corkscrewcorkscrew Member Posts: 254
    Will this help:
    http://www.thepartsbin.com/catalog/?N=1607+10105+4294967016+9181

    Regards
    Corkscrew
  • cbovecbove Member Posts: 2
    I have a standard 2000 Dodge Ram 1500 V6 with about 110,000 miles. I always use my emergency brake when I park, and just yesterday I pulled the release and it sounded like the brake released but the pedal stayed down. I know it released b/c there is no resistance when I drive but there is no way to engage the emergency brake now because the pedal is stuck down. Is this an easy fix or should I take it in. Unfortunately I don't know much about vehicles, but I am handy.

    Also, just fyi, b/c I don't think it's related, but for quite some time the brake light would remain on even though I disengaged the emergency brake and it just comes and goes.

    Any help would be greatly appreciated.
  • cbovecbove Member Posts: 2
  • nothing2029nothing2029 Member Posts: 1
    Today while driving home, doing about sixty with cruise on, my truck shuddered and the ABS and brake lights lit up for a bit then went away. About three minutes later both lights came back on and have stayed on since. Anybody have any ideas what might cause something like that?
  • hermanceusmchermanceusmc Member Posts: 4
    Ceramic pads are more expensive but cool faster, brake better and emit less dust.
  • hermanceusmchermanceusmc Member Posts: 4
    I have an 04 Ram 1500 4wd. My ABS and brake light came on and I had it checked. The computer read that I had an erratic signal in my rear abs sensor. I changed the sensor along with the front brakes and had the computer reset. The light came back on and is reading the same error code as before. Has anyone experienced this and or know a solution besides removing the bulbs?
  • dcpkydcpky Member Posts: 1
    Had brake line break going to back brakes the abs and brake lights came on had line fixed lights still on tryed un pluging the brake box under dash have tryed everything i can think of My truck is 2001 Dodge Ram Sport4x4 5.9 70.000miles help please
  • lhairelhaire Member Posts: 2
  • lhairelhaire Member Posts: 2
    what should i do about shake in brakes when applied? guessing warped rotors,considering dimpled or drilled rotors. is this a waste of time or a conceivable solution? its on a 2006 dodge 1500 4x4 quad cab with the 5.7 in it.
  • henryf760henryf760 Member Posts: 1
    What is the square box mounted on the firewall adjacent to the master cylinder (they are connected by brake lines). The box is making a humming sound even after the ignition is shut off. It is causing the brakes to go squishy and actuating the brake lights intermittantly... Help
  • garcia403garcia403 Member Posts: 1
    Im havin a brake problem with my truck and was wonderin if yall can give some guidance. The truck started out with a squeak in the brakes and I thought they just needed to be clean cause I just put new pads in. Now that squeak has changed pitch and sometimes sounds like a rubbin sound. I also lose breaking power when I turn it to the right. It becomes harder to brake and there is play in the pedal. Thanks for any help.
  • corkscrewcorkscrew Member Posts: 254
    Brake squeal is caused by a high pitched vibration. Did you turn the drums when you replaced the pads? Wet the pads see if this helps,check to be sure all bolts are tight, replace the caliper hardware, be sure any shims are in their correct place, be sure nohing is rubbing against the backing plates, did you use semi metalic or ceramic pads, lubricate the caliper slides and pins. Put the truck in drive and sit there for a few minutes with your foot on the brake, the pedal should not sink to the floor.
    Corkscrew
  • woode3802woode3802 Member Posts: 1
    I was installing new shocks and when I removed the drivers side rear a rubber hose with a bracket tha mounts to the frame fell off.This hose goes to a junction block thats on the rear axle. This has the brake lines coming in and going out to the rear wheel cylinders.This hose is by itself and has a plastic fitting on the end of it. I have looked all over and cannot find where this hose connects too.I have rear abs and have no idea what this hose is for.Any help would be great
  • panniepannie Member Posts: 2
  • panniepannie Member Posts: 2
    2000 DIESEL 4 X 4 REPLACED PADS ROTERS CALIPERS AND HOSES - THE FRONT BRAKES HANG UP SOMETIMES AND CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT...IS IT THE COMBINATION VALVE OR THE MASTER OR WHAT - ANYBODY GOT ANY SUGGESTIONS?
  • cthom10388cthom10388 Member Posts: 4
    no
  • silkytsilkyt Member Posts: 1
    Having the same problem. Let me know when you find out. 2001 2500 Ram
  • 03ram3203ram32 Member Posts: 1
    I have an 03 Ram 1500 single cab. I have recently replaced tires, brake pads, and had the rotors turned. When I step on the brakes their is a vibration. I am wondering if there might be an uneven pressure from the master cylinder. Can anyone give me some ideas?
  • canddmeyercanddmeyer Member Posts: 410
    Well, this isn't a timely reply, but the rotors are possibly shot. Explain the problem to the shop that did the work, but don't mention anything other than a vibration when braking.

    It could be other things too, but mostly likely its the brakes.
  • burrellburrell Member Posts: 1
    I have a 98 4x4 club cab and had a brake squeak and changed the rotors, pads, and calipers now when i put the rotor on it rubs everything behind it have rechecked the rotors and they are the right size any ideas on what I am missing? makes no sense thanks you
  • cinemaccinemac Member Posts: 2
  • cinemaccinemac Member Posts: 2
    I have an 04 ram 1500 hemi 4x2 with 60k miles, which has a vibration in the entire truck when braking, but only in the 40-45 mph range. The truck does not pull to either side, and brakes fine throughout the mph range other than that specific 40-45 spot. It rides fine while not braking. Any ideas ? The brakes were done about 20k miles ago I think - and I recently had the tires rotated and the shop sugggested that my tie rods be changed and that my rotors were going to be ready soon to be changed also.
  • raloooralooo Member Posts: 1
    i have the same problem . where does the hose go to?
  • crash_akcrash_ak Member Posts: 8
    That plastic fitting is a one way Air valve for the rear diff it just hangs face up to the frame
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