improving braking power on dodges

[rb70383]

I have a 01 2500 Ram with the D70 and drums. They never stayed adjusted. Burned through front pads quickly. Especially after doing the chevy rear wheel cylinder swap. Found a 02 D70 suregrip like mine and same gears with disc. Swapped right in excpet the parking brake cables have different ends. Still havent got new ones. A little better over the rear drums but overall much better as I dont have to adjust them all the time. When I need new tires I will get a set of the 3rd gen 17"s and swap to their bigger brakes as well. Only thing after that is convert it to 4wd. At least the ramcharger is 4wd. lol

[goodtimes]

I have a 01 2500 Ram with the D70 and drums. They never stayed adjusted. Burned through front pads quickly. Especially after doing the chevy rear wheel cylinder swap. Found a 02 D70 suregrip like mine and same gears with disc. Swapped right in excpet the parking brake cables have different ends. Still havent got new ones. A little better over the rear drums but overall much better as I dont have to adjust them all the time. When I need new tires I will get a set of the 3rd gen 17"s and swap to their bigger brakes as well. Only thing after that is convert it to 4wd. At least the ramcharger is 4wd. lol

I had similar adjustment problems on my '99. I also had a self-adjuster that liked to loosen up over time and fall out if I didn't keep the brakes adjusted (then it would rattle around inside the drum).

I ended up buying two self adjuster repair kits (consisting of the lever, self-adjuster, & associated springs) from Napa for something like $15/ea, combined with a new spring set (another $6 - $8 for each side, replacing the "rest" of the springs & hardware), and a new set of shoes. So basically, I replaced everything except the backing plates, drums, & wheel cylinders. It's not perfect - but damn, what a difference. For the price - it's worth trying if you find yourself constantly adjusting the rear brakes.

[rb70383]

I had similar adjustment problems on my '99. I also had a self-adjuster that liked to loosen up over time and fall out if I didn't keep the brakes adjusted (then it would rattle around inside the drum).

I ended up buying two self adjuster repair kits (consisting of the lever, self-adjuster, & associated springs) from Napa for something like $15/ea, combined with a new spring set (another $6 - $8 for each side, replacing the "rest" of the springs & hardware), and a new set of shoes. So basically, I replaced everything except the backing plates, drums, & wheel cylinders. It's not perfect - but damn, what a difference. For the price - it's worth trying if you find yourself constantly adjusting the rear brakes.

That is good news. Everytime I remembered to get those parts they didnt have them. On one cross country towing trip, the rear axle seal starting leaking. Got a small growl from the rear end. Moving from AZ to WA. I had to do something and having no luck in finding a rear disc for my truck, Over a course of 2 yrs. I looked one last time. Found one at a auto dismantlers. $600 was worth it instead of tryign to rebuild the axle and be stuck with those drums. However I think I will replace the hardware for use when i put the 8 lugs under my ramcharger.