2001 Dodge ram brake problem

From : Annonymous

Q: until about a week ago no problems. i had a complete brake job last year. i noticed recently that the brakes were taking longer to stop. i just figured i wore the pads out again i drive a lot and am somewhat led footed. but going home yesterday the pedal on the truck would go most of the way to the floor and was very spongy. the truck would stop but the harder i pushed the pedal it didnt seem to change how fast i was stopping. kind of like stopping a ship at sea. on the way home the abs and brake light both came on. i stopped and found that the master cylinder resovoir was almost empty. i stopped at a local shop and had it checked expecting to find that i had a leaking caliper at 98k miles. the mechanic looked at it and said he didnt see any leaks on the front or back and that i had 70% wear left on all of my pads. he felt that the last people who did my brake job might have bled the brakes but not refilled the tank. when i left the abs light and brake light were still on but he said that the abs unit needed a few miles to get filled back up and that it should go off. the brakes seemed better but still not normal. i drove it to work today and the lights are still on after about 40 miles. braking is back to being terrible. any ideas a leak he didnt notice a bad abs unit thanks michael .

Replies:

From : miles

newarcher@gmail.com wrote until about a week ago no problems. i had a complete brake job last year. i noticed recently that the brakes were taking longer to stop. i just figured i wore the pads out again i drive a lot and am somewhat led footed. but going home yesterday the pedal on the truck would go most of the way to the floor and was very spongy. the truck would stop but the harder i pushed the pedal it didnt seem to change how fast i was stopping. kind of like stopping a ship at sea. on the way home the abs and brake light both came on. i stopped and found that the master cylinder resovoir was almost empty. i stopped at a local shop and had it checked expecting to find that i had a leaking caliper at 98k miles. the mechanic looked at it and said he didnt see any leaks on the front or back and that i had 70% wear left on all of my pads. he felt that the last people who did my brake job might have bled the brakes but not refilled the tank. when i left the abs light and brake light were still on but he said that the abs unit needed a few miles to get filled back up and that it should go off. the brakes seemed better but still not normal. i drove it to work today and the lights are still on after about 40 miles. braking is back to being terrible. any ideas a leak he didnt notice a bad abs unit did the mechanic blead the brakes again maybe a bad master cylinder hole in the diaphragm etc. .

From : Annonymous

i called the mechanic and that is exactly what he said. i asked if it could possibly be the abs pump or unit and he said it would be a first for him on a vehicle that young. he said that he thinks it could be a bad master cylinder caused by air getting into it. he wants me to come back in and double check the engine codes to make sure no abs information is sending and then replace the master cylinder. i read an article that described my condition exactly one classic symptom of a master cylinder that is leaking internally is a brake pedal that slowly sinks when you maintain pressure on it with your foot. instead of a nice firm pedal the pedal slowly sinks and may go all the way to the floor. the mechanic mentioned bench bleeding the cylinder as the article did so i think this is a very honest mechanic. he could have taken me last night for a haul because i was desperate but took me in right at closing time and gave it a once over. thanks michael .

From : tbone

did you check your fluid level again -- if at first you dont succeed youre not cut out for skydiving until about a week ago no problems. i had a complete brake job last year. i noticed recently that the brakes were taking longer to stop. i just figured i wore the pads out again i drive a lot and am somewhat led footed. but going home yesterday the pedal on the truck would go most of the way to the floor and was very spongy. the truck would stop but the harder i pushed the pedal it didnt seem to change how fast i was stopping. kind of like stopping a ship at sea. on the way home the abs and brake light both came on. i stopped and found that the master cylinder resovoir was almost empty. i stopped at a local shop and had it checked expecting to find that i had a leaking caliper at 98k miles. the mechanic looked at it and said he didnt see any leaks on the front or back and that i had 70% wear left on all of my pads. he felt that the last people who did my brake job might have bled the brakes but not refilled the tank. when i left the abs light and brake light were still on but he said that the abs unit needed a few miles to get filled back up and that it should go off. the brakes seemed better but still not normal. i drove it to work today and the lights are still on after about 40 miles. braking is back to being terrible. any ideas a leak he didnt notice a bad abs unit thanks michael .

From : Annonymous

which way tom after and they seem to come faster and faster. you aint seen nuttin yet. thats what im afraid of. but we are recording birthdays for only the famous not the infamous ya know. bg i know why do you think i replied ;- i dont know . . . . .your egos running around without a leash maybe ego what ego im the most modest guy you know just ask me. we tried but couldnt get it to stop bragging long enough to answer. -- budd cochran romans 323 romans 623 john 316-17 ephesians 28-9 *** free account sponsored by secureix.com *** *** encrypt your internet usage with a free vpn account from http//www.secureix.com *** .

From : Annonymous

michael writes the mechanic mentioned bench bleeding the cylinder as the article did so i think this is a very honest mechanic. he could have taken me last night for a haul because i was desperate but took me in right at closing time and gave it a once over. thanks michael he may be honest but i doubt hes good. if there were no leaks in the lines or at the calipers then it has to be in the master cylinder. sure youre fluid level will drop as your breakes wear but not to the extent you describe unless all the pads are down to metal. if your fluid level is low again youll find you need a new master cylinder and that will end your problems. if your fluid level is still at the top check the booster and the vacuum line going to it. since your pedal slowly goes down to the floor my guess would be a master cylinder replacement is in order because the pressure isnt being held due to a leak. hope this helps. hank .

From : bigiron

the master cylinder was the problem....$400 later i am not a happy camper but it stops like it is new again. the bad is that the same thing has happened to my wifes van but hers hasnt hit rock bottom like mine did. thanks michael dont even consider delaying the repair. they fail without warning as well and youve been warned. dont let a collision be the impetus for making the repair. .