I have a 2003 Ram 2500 HD 4x4 with 87k! I realpaced the right rear last summer due to it freezing up on me! Now the left rear froze! Is this comon problem? Just curious!

 

Is it the pistons or the guides that are freezing up?

MikeyB

 

It's the pistons get rusty! The rubber boots deteriate probably due to the salt use here in New Hampshire!

 

This is my first post because I don't have a diesel but I do enjoy reading about them. I have a 03 3500 and last week I replace the drivers side rear because one of the pistons locked up. Then yesterday I had to replace the passenger side rear. First time I've had any trouble w/ brakes on any vehicle.

 

Ideally, all brake hydraulics should be done in pairs.......calipers, wheel cylinders, brake hoses, etc.

 

I recently had the same thing happen on my truck. Was around 90k. One rear caliper had a single piston seize up and the passenger side had both piston seize up. I replaced calipers and rotors from egr brakes. I had read some good info on them and many satisfied customers.
When my front are ready to be done I will probably use the same on them.

I thought some of my trouble may had been from my Rickson rims offset is about 3/4 inch out from the stock rim and is not shielded as much from the elements. I am from Mass and see similar winter salt and slush that builds up on the calipers ( and everything else).
http://www.egrbrakes.com/index-main.htm

 

i had the fronts on mine blow up on me one time making a left turn and both rears sieze up

 

My right rear froze up about 5 6 months ago, 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 SLT 120,000 miles, now my left one froze today, both pistons

 

One of my fronts started to give me trouble also.. 170k on them..
Replacing with SSBC 3 piston calipers.. Hoping for a little better braking help on my larger than stock tires..

 

Have replaced the rear calipers a couple times for siezed up pistons. Have over 177,000 miles on it. Fronts are still original.

 

The most neglected fluid on our vehicles is the brake fluid. Really should be flushed at least annually. A cheap vacuum bleeder makes the job fairly easy, and it is pretty amazing how crappy the old fluid looks.

 

True!
Another easy way to swap brake fluid, albeit, more fluid ultimately expended, is to suck the reservior dry (don't pump the brakes or refer to the vaccum bleeder post!). Re-fill, drive it a few days. Repeat process.
Do this 4-5 times, you'll notice the fluid gets cleaner each time. After the 5th time, you'll have replaced most all of the fluid without ever getting under the vehicle.
I do this with brake reserviors on all my vehicles/trailers, as well as power steering.

 

I do not think that replacing the fluid in the reservoir would change anything but the fluid in the reservoir. It is not like the system has a return or some way to move fluid from any line going out to a caliper back to the reservoir?
This may be better than never changing your fluid and may help the reservoir but i cannot see how this would help calipers or other components of the brakes system?

I use a pump system that does a good job of pushing the fluid thru system and makes it an easy 1 person task.