Break Question

bneal69 · 03-21-2007, 10:25 AM

My son has a 1998 1500 5.2L and he noticed that the breaks were not working correctly. After filling with break fluid (Was almost empty), the next day we checked again and found that the resivor was empty.

I looked for leaks under the engine and found none. I noticed the inside of the left rear tire was shinny and looked and found that there was break fluid on the tire and on the rim. Would this be the problem and if so, what is the fix?.

My son and I are new to the dodge trucks (meaning never owned one before). Any help would be greatfull.

Thanks

bradrhale · 03-21-2007, 10:58 AM

have to find out exactly where it is leaking. fill the resevoir up and take the tire off. apply the break and see where it squirts from. it is probably a brake line that has been broke or wore loose.

75K30 · 03-21-2007, 11:17 AM

If this is a drum brake rear end. It could be the brake cylinder inside of the drum. Do not remove the drum and apply the brakes! If you did not have a leak before, you will. A leak in the brake system is a problem that will lead to failed brakes. The little cylinders are easy to replace, and are not very expensive, but would recommend that he park the truck until it is fixed.

Oh yeah, welcome to the site. Glad to have you along....

bneal69 · 03-22-2007, 10:31 AM

Thank you for your responses.

I removed the tire and had my son press on the break, the fluid seems to be comming from the inside of the drum. Do you think that the fluid is comming from the wheel cylinder?

Thanks again for your help.

75K30 · 03-22-2007, 10:48 AM

Has to be. The line connects through the backing plate, and would leak at the fitting, and could be seen there, and not inside of the drum. The only thing left is the cylinder. It is the only component in there with brake fluid.
Good job troubleshooting...

bneal69 · 03-23-2007, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 75K30

Has to be. The line connects through the backing plate, and would leak at the fitting, and could be seen there, and not inside of the drum. The only thing left is the cylinder. It is the only component in there with brake fluid.
Good job troubleshooting...

It seams that I can not get the drum to come off. I think I have adjusted out the pads as far as they will using access in the back of the drum. Is there any thing else that I can try.

Thanks

Bryan

75K30 · 03-23-2007, 03:03 PM

I know it sounds dumb, but did you take the e-brake off?
Adjusting the brakes to remove the drum is not required, if the drum rotates, then it shuld have enough room to come off, unless the drum is crazy worn out. A little persuasion never hurts, try thr BFH, and tap it a little.

bradrhale · 03-23-2007, 03:45 PM

sometimes, the drum will develop a little rust where it sits on the hub. use a wire brush and knock as much of that off as you can. like 75 said, tap a little if need be.

mudseeker · 03-25-2007, 03:14 AM

like they said, i use a hammer on the back edge to knock all the rust off the drum. by time the drum breacks loose there's usally a nice pile of rust on the ground.

bneal69 · 03-26-2007, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mudseeker

like they said, i use a hammer on the back edge to knock all the rust off the drum. by time the drum breacks loose there's usally a nice pile of rust on the ground.

Thanks for all your help. I got the drum off with the help of my brother-in-law and a blow torch. Heated up the drum and then came off with some help of a hammer.

Thanks again for all the help

Bryan

03-21-2007, 10:25 AM	#1
bneal69 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 5	Break Question My son has a 1998 1500 5.2L and he noticed that the breaks were not working correctly. After filling with break fluid (Was almost empty), the next day we checked again and found that the resivor was empty. I looked for leaks under the engine and found none. I noticed the inside of the left rear tire was shinny and looked and found that there was break fluid on the tire and on the rim. Would this be the problem and if so, what is the fix?. My son and I are new to the dodge trucks (meaning never owned one before). Any help would be greatfull. Thanks

03-22-2007, 10:31 AM	#4
bneal69 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 5	Thank you for your responses. I removed the tire and had my son press on the break, the fluid seems to be comming from the inside of the drum. Do you think that the fluid is comming from the wheel cylinder? Thanks again for your help. Last edited by bneal69; 03-22-2007 at 10:34 AM. Reason: needed to add more descriptions

03-25-2007, 03:14 AM	#9
mudseeker Senior Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: michigan Posts: 6,374	like they said, i use a hammer on the back edge to knock all the rust off the drum. by time the drum breacks loose there's usally a nice pile of rust on the ground. __________________ i'd rather be hunting

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03-21-2007, 10:58 AM	#2
bradrhale Senior Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 8,025	have to find out exactly where it is leaking. fill the resevoir up and take the tire off. apply the break and see where it squirts from. it is probably a brake line that has been broke or wore loose.

03-21-2007, 11:17 AM	#3
75K30 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,992	If this is a drum brake rear end. It could be the brake cylinder inside of the drum. Do not remove the drum and apply the brakes! If you did not have a leak before, you will. A leak in the brake system is a problem that will lead to failed brakes. The little cylinders are easy to replace, and are not very expensive, but would recommend that he park the truck until it is fixed. Oh yeah, welcome to the site. Glad to have you along....

03-22-2007, 10:48 AM	#5
75K30 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,992	Has to be. The line connects through the backing plate, and would leak at the fitting, and could be seen there, and not inside of the drum. The only thing left is the cylinder. It is the only component in there with brake fluid. Good job troubleshooting...

03-23-2007, 03:03 PM	#7
75K30 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,992	I know it sounds dumb, but did you take the e-brake off? Adjusting the brakes to remove the drum is not required, if the drum rotates, then it shuld have enough room to come off, unless the drum is crazy worn out. A little persuasion never hurts, try thr BFH, and tap it a little.

03-23-2007, 03:45 PM	#8
bradrhale Senior Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 8,025	sometimes, the drum will develop a little rust where it sits on the hub. use a wire brush and knock as much of that off as you can. like 75 said, tap a little if need be.