My Mom just bought a 91 Dodge Dakota Sport 4x4 with 5.2L V8 from a neighbor. After fixing a few bugs here and there (pitman/steering and oil sending unit/switch), I noticed the truck was a total dog. It felt like I was pulling a house behind me.
So today I start looking for the cause. I noticed the front end would shake some while going down the road at 45mph, like when you hit the brakes hard and the rotors are warped. When I got about 25 miles from home, I noticed the truck would come to a complete stop if I let off the gas. I could also smell hot brakes on the front. When I tried to take off on a hill once, the truck wouldn't go and did a brake stand for a second, and then went like I had 4000lbs behind me.
When I got home, I could put the brakes on, let off, and hear a 1-2sec delayed plop noise at the front. When I hit the gas right after that, I'd hear a pop like the brake pads were stuck to the rotors or like a tie rod pop in the front and then it would go. Also, right before you come to a complete stop, you can hear the brakes squeak; this may be the front and bake brakes, but I can’t tell.
At one point, I got out of the truck to confirm the brakes were stuck, put it in neutral, put the transfer case in neutral, and then I tried to push the truck and it wouldn't move. It was stuck tighter than if it were in park as it wouldn’t even rock back and forth.
So all that said, do you guys know what would cause this and how to fix it? I’m thinking it’s the master cylinder since both front brakes are doing this, but I’m not 100% sure.
I’m a pretty competent wrench, but I’ve never owned or worked on a Dodge, so if you guys know of any known brake problems or fixes, let me know.
FWIW, My experience is in Ford trucks and Mustangs.
Thanks,
John
So today I start looking for the cause. I noticed the front end would shake some while going down the road at 45mph, like when you hit the brakes hard and the rotors are warped. When I got about 25 miles from home, I noticed the truck would come to a complete stop if I let off the gas. I could also smell hot brakes on the front. When I tried to take off on a hill once, the truck wouldn't go and did a brake stand for a second, and then went like I had 4000lbs behind me.
When I got home, I could put the brakes on, let off, and hear a 1-2sec delayed plop noise at the front. When I hit the gas right after that, I'd hear a pop like the brake pads were stuck to the rotors or like a tie rod pop in the front and then it would go. Also, right before you come to a complete stop, you can hear the brakes squeak; this may be the front and bake brakes, but I can’t tell.
At one point, I got out of the truck to confirm the brakes were stuck, put it in neutral, put the transfer case in neutral, and then I tried to push the truck and it wouldn't move. It was stuck tighter than if it were in park as it wouldn’t even rock back and forth.
So all that said, do you guys know what would cause this and how to fix it? I’m thinking it’s the master cylinder since both front brakes are doing this, but I’m not 100% sure.
I’m a pretty competent wrench, but I’ve never owned or worked on a Dodge, so if you guys know of any known brake problems or fixes, let me know.
FWIW, My experience is in Ford trucks and Mustangs.
Thanks,
John