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Dodge Dakota
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2/07/2011
07:46:54
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 Subject: 2002 dakota 4.7 brakes
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Message:
Hey everyone,
I have a 2002 dakota slt 4.7 QC w/ All wheel
drive (and optional 4wd) I love the truck for the
most part, but since I got it (in 2004 or 5 I
think) I have had endless concerns/problems w/ the
braking system. I failed inspection several times
for the front and rear balance being out. Every
time I bring it in, everything seems good for a
few weeks then it goes bad again. I have had a few
rotor changes. Last ones my mechanic said they
were the same ones they use in ambulances, and
these seemed to last the longest (still have em
on, but don't know the make) I have spent the
years keeping an eye on posts and forums on and
off, and find comfort in knowing I am definitely
not the only one w/ these problems (albeit not
without sympathy to all you out there dealing with
the same notorious brake problems on these
trucks). From what I gather, the brakes are just
not strong enough for these trucks. I see later
models now use discs on all 4's, and I've seen
conversion kits for drum to disc, but kind of
pricy. I was hoping DC would step up to the plate
and address this, but that's like waiting for hell
to freeze over. I was happy to see the ball joint
recall and got this done (as my front end sounded
like a wagon more then like a truck) But 2 years
later, I had to have all uppers again and lowers
done, as well as the bearing/hub assemblies, which
I believe all were a result of the sh!t they put
in at factory that inadvertently caused a dominoe
effect of ruined parts. It seems that the new ball
joints they use are just as bad if not worse. so I
got better ones with grease fittings. we'll see
how that goes. Back to the brakes...
To me, it feels like the front end is doing all
the work. On slippery roads, I press the brakes to
mildly stop and the abs kicks in. Since day one, I
feel like I have to stay 100 feet behind any car,
for fear of hitting them if I can't stop. And
downhills put my heart in my throat. I definitely
learned to compensate, but should I have to? I
know many others out there feel the same way, and
are suprised they haven't gotten into an accident
yet. I wish dodge would find a fix, with or w/o a
recall. With the money I spent already, a sure fix
I'd have to pay for would at least be better then
nothing. I guess there's not enough accidents or
deaths for this issue to be addressed, otherwise
dodge would have done something by now. So, from
my own experience, and thousands of others who
were kind enough to post their dodge brake
stories, I gather that the rears are just not
strong enough, so the fronts compensate, causing
quicker wear and tear and warping from the heat
and strain. For me, the front abs kicks in cause
the fronts got probably 75 to 80% of the work to
stop the truck. God forbid I try to tow a trailer
or my boat (even with the tow package and the 11
inch brakes on the rear). the going is great,
stopping is not. Now, after one cold winter
morning, where my abs decided to freeze and
wouldn't turn off (another issue with the speed
sensor in the rear axle) I was talking to a
mechanic friend with a durango with similiar
problems, and we decided that it was most likely
an electronics issue, as he had pretty much
replaced everything mechanical, and still his abs
seemed funny. Who knows. I still think it's just
poor design with the rear brakes.
Now, yesterday, I pulled my drums and replaced
the shoes, which weren't terrible, but worthy of
replacement. The front's I checked and the pads
were still good, rotors appeared good (just a
visual inspection) and I adjusted the rears with
the star wheel till they locked and pulled back
about 5 clicks hoping this might give me a bit
more rear brake power. But on driving, all still
seemed the same as before. The problem to me is
the pedal seems spongy, like I have to press too
much to get a result. The master cyl is at the
full line, all the lines seem good and I still
feel uncomfortable with the braking power. It
seems like if I had to stop short (thank God I
have not had to in a while...back to that compensating by keepin my distance) I wouldn't be
able to. Aside from bringing back into the shop
(def. not a dodge dealer) what can I do on my own
to maybe fix this? Dodge tells me there's no
problem, all is fine...lol. sure. Several good
mechanics got it good for a little while. But I'm
at wits end with this, and was hoping someone out
there can give me a little direction. Is there a
way I can better balance out the braking without
any major overhaul, and better then adjusting the
rears. I know they say they are self adjusting,
and I am sure my neighbors wonder why they see me
going in reverse and stopping short every so
often...doesn't do a thing. Could it be my master
cyl. or maybe an inline pressure regulator or
something I can upgrade. Remember, I'm hoping to
keep this in budget, The conversion to discs seems
nice, but just a bit too much I wanna spend right
now. thanks for any advice and input, or even just
another stroy of your dakota brake problems. Maybe
if enough people complain, something might be
done.
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