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Dodge Truck Brake Problems

Humberto of Miami writes:
I'm leasing a 1998 Dodge Durango. I have the truck for 2 years, problem is the brake system. I have been in a situation when I have to stop very quickly and the truck won't stop. On July 17 2000, I was driving at a speed of 45 mph, the light changed, I hit the brakes and it made a noise like the ABS activated but the truck did not stop.

Dodge Trucks • Braking Problems • Fires • Engine Problems • Transmission • Air Conditioning --- • The Durango

I have taken the truck to the dealer twice and they can not find any problems with the brakes. I'm afraid to drive the truck.

Glenn writes:
A friend of mine has a 1998 Dodge Quad Cab 1500 FWD Pick-Up. He recently had a situation that required him to stop very quickly to avoid an accident. From 50 MPH the truck slowly came to a stop. He was able to avoid the accident by pulling into another lane. He later tested his brakes at 50 MPH by slamming the pedal as far as it would go, and the deceleration wasn't enough to spill a cup of coffee. He's taken it to the dealer he bought it from two times, but the braking effectiveness remains the same. The question: Is this braking effectiveness normal for that model truck?

Automan responds:

I will assume that your friend panic-stopped with both feet on the brake pedal and it did not stop by throwing somebody through the windshield. Since this is a '98 model I find it hard to believe that any of the big three manufacturers are turning out a vehicle that stops as badly as the ones I had to experience in the field up until 95-96.

However. the biggest and easiest mistake is the addition of larger tires. It's still a pet peeve of mine -- you spend a fortune on these trucks, only to have the cheapest, and smallest tires come on the vehicle. So you add larger tires, which trick the ABS computer into thinking road speed is slower than it is. Dealer should check ABS calibration against tire size.

Another possibility: It has been two years and somebody might have put replacement non-OEM spec brake pads on the truck, a la Auto Zone. Brake pads have to wear to stop the car. Million-mile warranty is a selling gimmick, not necessarly a good thing for a braking component, that has to wear and create friction.

Check calipers. It's possible that the wrong calipers were installed. Many calipers of different internal specs will readily mount or be physically interchangable on the outside. Also have them check hydraulic to caliper pressures with correct gauge set. This is a real problem nowadays when you buy aftermarket, rebuilt reboxed at an offshore factory where everything looks the same, and Junior dooesn't care cause he is only making a dollar an hour.

Vehicle may have been in a flood. Parts could be frozen, rendering brake pedal hard and thus, no brakes.

If a competent and fully equipped shop does not find anything with any of my notes, then your friend is the proud owner of another truck that does not stop. If enough people complain and/or are injured/killed they may come out with a "do over kit" that on some trucks can cost $3,000 to $4,000

Automan is an ASE-certified master mechanic. He runs an independent auto repair shop in North Carolina.

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