Hey fellas,
A buddy of mine stopped by this morning who has a 99 4wd with just a tad over 36,000 miles on it. He said he had to take the truck in about 1 1/2 years ago because he had a front caliper sticking (pass side). At that time, the dealership replaced both front calipers, but not the rotors. He wasn't sure how many miles he has put on since, but remember the truck has only less than 37,000 miles on it now.
Now for the problem:
He said he was driving the other day and when he stopped, the front brakes were smoking and it acted like the calipers were not releasing. The ABS light is on and the idiot light for the BRAKE is on also. His wife called the dealer who had done the previous work and pretty much got the "It's your baby now" reply stating that it is over 36k. My buddy said he will contact them later today to verify.
My question is,,,,,, does this sound like the proportioning valve or something of this nature. He said the rear brakes were not hot when the fronts were smoking. Is there some type of valving inside the master cylinder. It doesn't seem logical that both front calipers would stick due to rusty pins or something like that.
Any help would be appreciated before he contacts me again to tell me the outcome of his conversation with the dealer. I told him that a GOOD dealer would and could take care of this for him under warranty, especially since they had worked on it before. But then again,,,,,,,,, :

Thanks,
Dennis

 

Dennis,
It could be several things, including the brake lines. If the dealer replaced the calipers when it was the brake lines originally, then there's your problem. The proportioning valve is not likely, in my experience, and would be the LAST thing to replace if you are guessing. I hardly ever see those go bad.
Tell him to bring it up my way this weekend and I'll diagnose it for him. No guarantees, but I've done my share of brake work. ;D
I put aftermarket calipers on my 99 last year. They have a lifetime warranty. The brake have never been better on my truck.

Chris

 

Less than 37k !? I'd have a talk with the service manager about the warranty. If that didn't work I'd talk to the General Manager - then on to the owner of the store if possible. Then a talk with Dodge Customer Service. I'd let them know where neither I nor anyone I know will not buy a $30k truck again. I'd stroll around the sales yard and chat with those 'looking' and tell them about the dealer not wanting to cover under the warranty.

 

Brake problems are very common on the Dodge (Ford and GM, too) pickups that are not operated for extended periods, or driven hard enough to fully activate the entire system and heat the fluid enough to dry it out once a month. The root cause is moisture in the brake fluid causing the combination valve to corrode and stick in the front only position.

Here is a tip that should be followed by all owners of vehicles with rear or full anti-lock braking systems, that live anywhere there is high humidity: Flush the fluid every two years. Use a professional pressure system that applies pressure from the master cylinder and keeps the entire system under equal pressure while the bleeding is taking place (do not do the shade tree mechanic brake bleed foot pump dance, or you will screw up the system). Any other option will (not might) cause the anti-lock valves to be displaced and will bind the combination valve, and sooner or later the system will either start locking the brakes or grabbing on one side or on the front.

In the instance of your friend, have him take the truck to a decent brake shop, not an incompetent dealer shop, and get the corroded combination valve replaced, the RWAL valve recentered, and the system flushed. Given he has been driving with front brakes only, the bores in the front calipers will also be worn in an oblique taper, and he will need new front calipers at the same time. Chances are better than even that the rear wheel cylinders will also have rust pits where the rear piston seals have been stuck for some time, so they should be replaced at the same time.