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01dakota_355
Dodge Dakota
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11/17/2004
22:13:24
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 Subject: Rear brake help?
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I have a 2001 CC 4x4 4.7L auto. As we all know, the brakes are lousy. However, the fronts aren't near as bad as the rears on mine- they warp too often (which, incidentally, before owning this truck, I had never heard of rear drums warping). I was wondering if anyone has converted to rear disc setup on a 1997-2002 Dakota to alleviate this problem.
I've seen lots of posts on here going back and forth about which is better for stopping power, hauling, or towing (drum or disc), and I don't want to start any arguments about that. I just want rear brakes that stop the truck and last longer than 5K without warping, and was wondering if discs would be a good solution.
By the way, my rear drums are the wimpy 9", and I check and adjust them often. Suggestions or ideas are appreciated!
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JasonB
Dodge Dakota
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11/17/2004
23:11:03
| RE: Rear brake help?
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Becareful not to over-adjust drum brakes. That can cause excess friction, causing excess heat, causing warpage.
If you use your parking brake, be careful not to kick the sh!t out of it. Drums can be warped by applying the pedal too far.
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.boB
Dodge Dakota
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11/17/2004
23:27:52
| RE: Rear brake help?
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Discs would be an excellent solution. Unfortunatly, it's also an expensive solution. I was looking at the Baer Brakes web site recently, and they have a kit for this. Unfortunatly, it was pretty expensive, nearly $1K.
But now that I think about it, the Ram has had rear discs for a couple of years now. I wonder if you get the parts of that truck?????? The same 9.25 corporate rear is used in both trucks; it's just narrower for the Dakotas.
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01dakota_355
Dodge Dakota
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11/18/2004
14:19:44
| RE: Rear brake help?
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Thanks for the help. I'm not sure about the Ram, since it has a 5-bolt lug pattern, and the Dakota has a 6-bolt.
I always make sure not to over adjust the shoes, too. And I probably use the parking brake once a year, if that. Guess it will be time to take a trip to Napa- when I bought the drums, I made sure they had a lifetime warranty.
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Figols
Dodge Dakota
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11/18/2004
16:09:45
| RE: Rear brake help?
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Always, always, always use your parking brake!! It helps keep the rears adjusted(as close as it can be automatically). On top of that, in order to make sure the rears are adjusted properly you need to manually adjust the rears roughly every other oil change. The method of backing up and applying the brake just doesn't seem to work as it should.
Now with that out of the way, after about 70K miles I finally fixed my rear brakes! I have the larger brakes, but this should also apply to you. Here is a quote form a rather long post I posted a few months ago.......
"Another common problem is the piss poor brakes on these Dakotas. I've always manually adjusted my rear brakes and yet I still get warped rotors and heavy nose dive(just as if the rear brakes weren't working). While looking in to converting to rear discs, I decided one last ditch effort in keeping the drums(and some cash in my pocket). I bought a set of Raybestos semi metallic shoes and replaced the stock shoes. At the same time I deglazed the drums. WOW! What a difference!! For the first time EVER with this truck it actually stops when you slam the brake pedal! Now the rear antilocks actually kick in under hard braking, which is something that my other trucks have always done but NEVER my Dakota. Those of you with the same brake complaints may also want to try this or atleast deglaze the drums and manually adjust the shoes. Just remember, NEVER trust the automatic brake adjusters. They just don't work."
Now at 80K miles my brakes are still better than ever and NO WARPED ROTORS! When you're manually adjusting your rear shoes you need to set them so that they drag slightly while spinning the tire by hand. This does not warp the drum, it is the correct adjustment for drum brakes. Also make sure you torque the lug nuts in sequence to torque. Too much uneven torque WILL warp rotors. Give it a try> It's cheap and may just work for you. If not I found rear disc upgrades for around $600.
Good Luck!
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daddio
Dodge Dakota
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11/18/2004
16:19:13
| RE: Rear brake help?
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do the cc's have 11" drums like the QC's?
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01dakota_355
Dodge Dakota
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11/18/2004
17:54:53
| RE: Rear brake help?
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No, most CCs have 9" rear drums, though I think some have the 11" if they have the heavy duty service group(?).
When I replaced the drums, I also replaced the shoes with Wagner semi-metallics and it seems to stop okay. I adjust them around every 4-5000 miles, and make sure there is slight drag when turning the drum by hand. Maybe a conversion to 11" would be a better way to go...
After owning five other vehicles prior to this (with many more miles), this is the first vehicle to warp the drums, and I haven't changed my driving style or my maintenance routine :(
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daddio
Dodge Dakota
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11/19/2004
08:34:58
| RE: Rear brake help?
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find a donor QC to get all the rear brake parts to convert.
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01dakota_355
Dodge Dakota
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11/23/2004
10:47:06
| RE: Rear brake help?
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Update on this...I went back to Napa, and they will replace the drums for me, for free (since I bought the lifetime warranty ones). The only thing I'm out is the hassle/time of it all, but at least no $$.
I hate having to pay to fix something that should have been right from the factory.
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tay
Dodge Dakota
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1/03/2012
20:54:13
| rear drum brake stuck on
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I have a 2002 v8 4.7 4x4 Im trying to remove my drums.
One came off easy the other wont. Its loose but wont
come off. I feel the stretch of the springs inside when i
try to pry it off and dont wanna wreck anything inside.
What should i do?
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Bob Lincoln
Dodge Dakota
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1/04/2012
08:14:32
| RE: Rear brake help?
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If you have already cranked the starwheel adjuster in all the way, just tug/pry the drum off. Chances are if this is the first service, you'll want to replace all the hold-down hardware, anyway.
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tay
Dodge Dakota
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1/04/2012
13:28:37
| RE: Rear brake help?
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The adjust shud be under that rubber capped slot right?
How do i adjust it
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BONGHEAD
Dodge Dakota
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1/04/2012
15:02:07
| RE: Rear brake help?
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for your first adjustment make sure to adjust all the run out out of your set knob...so that the slave cylinder blows both seals and lubricates your brakes.... you wouldnt want them getting rusty or hot right? ok now that youve done that go grab your baby and wack his head on the drum so it will crack lose. ok hes probably awake now...so shake the f^&k outta him untill he cant walk and hand him you brake shoes and your meth pipe and lettim getther dun. you'll be fine. plus this ordeal will build character for him...we dont want his dum A$$ working at kfc or chuck'e'cheese for the rest of his life right?
ok so check back in an hour to see if hes done. if hes not done then grab him and shake him again and drop him on his head. proffessionallity is imperritive!
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