Soft brake pedal

dodge man · Feb 19, 2013

I just did a major rehab on my rear brakes. Its a 2004 Dodge Ram, 2500, 4x4 with the Cummins. I replaced the rotors, pads, calibers, and all the e-brake hardware and linings. After I got everything together, I bled the brakes, starting at the right rear, then the left rear. I didn't count, but I'm guessing the brake pedal was pumped 30 to 40 times for the right rear, and maybe 20 times on the left rear. I thought I had all the air out.

The good news, my e-brakes now work, they are a drum brake inside the rotors. All the old hardware was rusty and they never have worked since I got the truck.

The bad news, the brake pedal almost goes to the floor. Anyone that has done a set of disc brakes will experience the brakes not working well the first couple of times you use them after a brake job. This usually goes away after the first couple of stops. The problem is mine didn't get better, probably double the travel it should have. The pedal also returns very slow.

A couple of questions. What is the correct way to bleed brakes? Do you start at the farthest brake, the right rear, or the nearest brake to the master cylinder?

I didn't bleed the front brakes. I can't imagine they would have gotten any air in them. I only had the brake lines cracked for a minute while I swithced the calibers over. Do I need to bleed the fronts?

I assume I need to just bleed the brakes more, but does anybody have any other ideas? I'm going to pull the wheels when I bleed them tonight and have a look around and make sure there aren't any leaks.

radioman · Feb 19, 2013

It wouldnt hurt to bleed it all the way around. Next - I wonder if you have air in the abs module. does it chatter when you try to make abs kick in (skid it on loose gravel or similar) If ABS doesnt chatter - abs may need to be bled. I am not certain of your truck model as each vehicle is different. My malibu uses the key 5 times over 20 secs on then off on then off etc. My s10 blazer is a POS to bleed - I literally have to hook up a weed sprayer with brake fluid in it to bleed lines after the abs block and then make ABS kick in several times on grass then bleed normally all the way around. With malibu the answer was in the haynes book. the s10, I found answer after gleaning info online but no black and white instructions for the poor. check google and your haynes book for your truck and good luck.

dodge man · Feb 19, 2013

Thanks for the response. It was slick and icy out and I made the ABS kick in several times. It did chatter, but that seems normal. I didn't know you needed to bleed the ABS.

sam5570 · Feb 19, 2013

I always start bleeding at right rear then left rear then right front. remember you need to what they call seat your brakes to keep them from being inconsistent, you drive down the road about5 miles and stop and go often not braking hard enough to get the pads or roter's to hot , this will seat the pads and you will have a consistent pedal if there is no air still in the system.

YesDeere · Feb 19, 2013

Always bleed farthest to the closest to the master cylinder. I'd bleed the fronts for sure. Double check your rear calipers and make sure they are moving freely and not cocked at all. Make sure the pistons are against the pad and not cocked as well.

Not out of the realm of possibilities for a M/C to go up just like that either.

dodge man · Feb 19, 2013

I really didn't have any brake problems when I started this, just no e-brakes. But yeah, its always possible the master cylinder went belly up at the same time. I'm still hoping for air in the lines.

Viperdave · Feb 19, 2013

the correct way to bleed the brakes requires cycling the ABS pump. but the reality is that if you didnt allow air into the system, you shouldnt need to bleed the ABS.

If air did get in the system, then the ABS pump needs to be cycled. Usually requiring the use of a star-scan. But i am sure the internet would provide you the correct wire to provide power to...

Diamondpilot · Feb 19, 2013

You need a special tool to cycle the abs module. There are home brew methods, check YouTube.

Chris

Dmace · Feb 19, 2013

If you didn't open the abs module or run the brake reservoir empty then you shouldn't need to bleed the module. Your problem is from not bleeding the fronts. Even though the line was only cracked for a couple of seconds while switching calipers, the new caliper was dry so its full of air.
Always bleed from farthest to closest to the master cylinder (passenger-rear, driver-rear, passenger-front, driver-front) and watch the reservoir to make sure it doesn't go below the LOW line or you'll suck in more air.

That parking brake inside the rear rotors sure is fun ain't it? :laughing:
I did all mine at 100k just because and forgot just how good the factory brakes were. They weren't that bad before replacing but felt like a sports car after!

Diamondpilot · Feb 19, 2013

I guess I did not catch that you did not bleed the fronts. Like Dmace said, bleed them. I still think there is a good chance you will still have to bleed the abs module before its all said and done.

I never minded the in the disc parking brakes.

As a side note next time you need brakes check out Brake Motive. They are a internet company out of Chicago. I have ordered over a dozen sets from them. I just put drilled and slotted rotors and new ceramic pads all around on my Titan cheaper then buying oem style stuff at Auto Zone. I get the stuff in 2 days FedEx.

I priced out oem stuff for a customers 06 Buick Lucerne. $174.95 to my door for all new rotors and ceramic pads. Auto Zone and Napa were both right at $300. I have been using them since I put brakes on my 03 Mountaineer at about 80K in 2006 and every kit has been top notch.

Chris