2000 Dodge RAM 1500 Pickup Brake Service (ONLINE REPAIR MANUALS)

When working on or around brake assemblies, care must be taken to prevent breathing asbestos dust, as many manufacturers incorporate asbestos fibers in the production of brake linings. During routine service operations, the amount of asbestos dust from brake lining wear is at a low level due to a chemical breakdown during use, and a few precautions will minimize exposure. Do not sand or grind brake linings unless suitable local exhaust ventilation equipment is used to prevent excessive a...

Brake Lines & Linings

Remove one of the front wheels and inspect the brake disc, caliper and linings. The wheel bearings should be inspected at this time and repacked if necessary.

Do not get any oil or grease on the linings. It is recommended that both front wheel sets be replaced whenever a respective pad is worn or damaged. Inspect and, if necessary, replace rear brake linings also.

If the caliper is cracked or fluid leakage through the casting is evident, it must be replaced as a unit.

Brake Roughness

The most common cause of brake chatter on disc brakes is a variation in thickness o...

Accessing Diagnostic Trouble Codes

RWAL System

The RWAL diagnostic functions have been integrated into the OBD II diagnostic connector, Fig. , located below the lefthand side of the instrument panel. If a diagnostic trouble code has been stored, both the brake and ABS warning lamps will be illuminated. To access diagnostic trouble codes, proceed as follows:

• Place ignition switch in Run position, then momentarily connect diagnostic connector terminal 13, Fig. , to ground.
• When ground is disconnected from terminal, ABS and brake warning lamps will begin to flash out any diagnostic...

General Service Precautions

Certain components of the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) are not intended to be serviced individually. Attempting to remove, separate or disconnect certain system components may result in personal injury and/or improper system operation. Service components only as directed.

Observe the following general precautions when servicing the system:

• If any welding ...

Height Sensing Proportioning Valve

1997-2000

• Raise and support vehicle, allowing rear suspension to hang free.
• Remove rear wheel and tire assemblies.
• Using an appropriate jack, support rear axle.
• Disconnect track bar from rear axle, then the shock absorbers.
• Loosen, but do not remove, both leaf spring to front spring hanger pivot bolts.
• Loosen adjustment nut on actuator, Fig. .
• Ensure hooked end of actuator is properly seated in clip on valve lever and clip is properly positioned on lever of valve.
• Pull housing of valve actuator toward spring hanger until lever on valve bottoms on body of va...

Service Brake

Except FWD Models

Self-Adjusting Brakes

These brakes have self-adjusting shoe mechanisms that ensure correct lining to drum clearances at all times. The automatic adjusters operate only when the brakes are applied as the car is moving rearward.

Although the brakes are self-adjusting, an initial adjustment is necessary when the brake shoes have been relined, replaced or when the length of the star wheel adjuster has been changed during some other service operation.

Frequent usage of an automatic transmission forward range to halt reverse vehicle motion may prevent the automa...