1998 DODGE RAM 1500 parking brake

(3) Install parking brake cable in the brake lever.
(4) Install the park brake shoes (Refer to 5 -
BRAKES/PARKING BRAKE/SHOES - INSTALLA-
TION). (Fig. 66).
(5) Install axle shaft, (Refer to 3 - DIFFEREN-
TIAL & DRIVELINE/REAR AXLE - 9 1/4/AXLE
SHAFTS - INSTALLATION).
(6) Adjust brake shoes to drum with brake gauge
(Refer to 5 - BRAKES/PARKING BRAKE/SHOES -
ADJUSTMENTS).
(7) Install the rotor (Refer to 5 - BRAKES/HY-
DRAULIC/MECHANICAL/ROTORS - INSTALLA-
TION).
(8) Install the caliper adapter (Refer to 5 -
BRAKES/HYDRAULIC/MECHANICAL/DISC
BRAKE CALIPER ADAPTER - INSTALLATION).
(9) Install the caliper (Refer to 5 - BRAKES/HY-
DRAULIC/MECHANICAL/DISC BRAKE CALIPERS
- INSTALLATION).
(10) Install wheel and tire assembly.
FLUID
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - BRAKE FLUID
CONTAMINATION
Indications of fluid contamination are swollen or
deteriorated rubber parts.
Swollen rubber parts indicate the presence of
petroleum in the brake fluid.
To test for contamination, put a small amount of
drained brake fluid in clear glass jar. If fluid sepa-
rates into layers, there is mineral oil or other fluid
contamination of the brake fluid.
If brake fluid is contaminated, drain and thor-
oughly flush system. Replace master cylinder, propor-
tioning valve, caliper seals, wheel cylinder seals,
Antilock Brakes hydraulic unit and all hydraulic
fluid hoses.
STANDARD PROCEDURE - BRAKE FLUID
LEVEL
Always clean the master cylinder reservoir and
caps before checking fluid level. If not cleaned, dirt
could enter the fluid.
The fluid fill level is indicated on the side of the
master cylinder reservoir (Fig. 41).
The correct fluid level is to the MAX indicator on
the side of the reservoir. If necessary, add fluid to the
proper level.
SPECIFICATIONS
BRAKE FLUID
The brake fluid used in this vehicle must conform
to DOT 3 specifications and SAE J1703 standards.
No other type of brake fluid is recommended or
approved for usage in the vehicle brake system. Use
only Mopar brake fluid or an equivalent from a
tightly sealed container.
CAUTION: Never use reclaimed brake fluid or fluid
from an container which has been left open. An
open container of brake fluid will absorb moisture
from the air and contaminate the fluid.
CAUTION: Never use any type of a petroleum-based
fluid in the brake hydraulic system. Use of such
type fluids will result in seal damage of the vehicle
brake hydraulic system causing a failure of the
vehicle brake system. Petroleum based fluids would
be items such as engine oil, transmission fluid,
power steering fluid, etc.
FLUID RESERVOIR
REMOVAL
(1) Install the prop rod on the brake pedal to keep
pressure on the brake system.
(2) Remove the reservoir cap and siphon fluid into
a drain container (Fig. 42).
(3) Remove the electrical connector from the fluid
level switch in the reservoir (Fig. 42).
(4) Remove the reservoir mounting bolt (Fig. 42).
Fig. 41 FLUID LEVEL TYPICAL
1 - FLUID RESERVOIR
2 - MAX LEVEL MARK
DRBRAKES - BASE 5 - 23
DISC BRAKE CALIPER ADAPTER MOUNT (Continued)

(2) Install the caliper adapter (Fig. 61) (Refer to 5
- BRAKES/HYDRAULIC/MECHANICAL/DISC
BRAKE CALIPER ADAPTER - INSTALLATION).
(3) Install the caliper adapter bolts (Fig. 61) and
tighten the mounting bolts to 135 N´m (100 ft.lbs).
(4) Install the disc brake caliper, (Refer to 5 -
BRAKES/HYDRAULIC/MECHANICAL/DISC
BRAKE CALIPERS - INSTALLATION).
(5) Install the tire and wheel assembly (Refer to 22
- TIRES/WHEELS/WHEELS - STANDARD PROCE-
DURE).
(6) Lower the vehicle.
INSTALLATION - REAR DUAL WHEELS
(1) Install the hub to the rotor. Tighten the bolts to
128 N´m (95 ft. lbs.) (Fig. 63).
(2) Install the hub and rotor assembly.
(3) Install the rear axle shaft to the housing with
dual wheels, (Refer to 3 - DIFFERENTIAL & DRIV-
ELINE/REAR AXLE - 286RBI/AXLE SHAFTS -
INSTALLATION).
(4) Install the caliper adapter bolts.
(5) Install the disc brake caliper, (Refer to 5 -
BRAKES/HYDRAULIC/MECHANICAL/DISC
BRAKE CALIPERS - INSTALLATION). (Fig. 64).
(6) Install the tire and wheel assembly, (Refer to
22 - TIRES/WHEELS/WHEELS - STANDARD PRO-
CEDURE).
(7) Lower the vehicle.
SUPPORT PLATE
REMOVAL
(1) Remove wheel and tire assembly.(2) Remove the disc brake caliper (Refer to 5 -
BRAKES/HYDRAULIC/MECHANICAL/DISC
BRAKE CALIPERS - REMOVAL).
(3) Remove the caliper adapter (Refer to 5 -
BRAKES/HYDRAULIC/MECHANICAL/DISC
BRAKE CALIPER ADAPTER - REMOVAL).
(4) Remove the rotor (Refer to 5 - BRAKES/HY-
DRAULIC/MECHANICAL/ROTORS - REMOVAL).
(5) Remove the axle shaft (Refer to 3 - DIFFER-
ENTIAL & DRIVELINE/REAR AXLE - 9 1/4/AXLE
SHAFTS - REMOVAL).
(6) Remove the park brake shoes (Refer to 5 -
BRAKES/PARKING BRAKE/SHOES - REMOVAL).
(7) Remove the parking brake cable from the
brake lever.
(8) Remove the bolts attaching the support plate to
the axle and remove the support plate (Fig. 65).
Fig. 63 ROTOR TO HUB
1 - Hub Bolts
2 - Socket
Fig. 64 ROTOR INSTALLED
Fig. 65 SUPPORT PLATE
1 - SUPPORT PLATE
2 - MOUNTING STUDS
DRBRAKES - BASE 5 - 35
ROTORS (Continued)

INSTALLATION
(1) Install support plate on axle flange (Fig. 66).
Tighten attaching bolts to 115 N´m (85 ft. lbs.).
(2) Install parking brake cable in the brake lever.
(3) Install the park brake shoes (Refer to 5 -
BRAKES/PARKING BRAKE/SHOES - INSTALLA-
TION). (Fig. 66).
(4) Install axle shaft, (Refer to 3 - DIFFEREN-
TIAL & DRIVELINE/REAR AXLE - 9 1/4/AXLE
SHAFTS - INSTALLATION).
(5) Adjust brake shoes to drum with brake gauge
(Refer to 5 - BRAKES/PARKING BRAKE/SHOES -
ADJUSTMENTS).
(6) Install the rotor (Refer to 5 - BRAKES/HY-
DRAULIC/MECHANICAL/ROTORS - INSTALLA-
TION).
(7) Install the caliper adapter (Refer to 5 -
BRAKES/HYDRAULIC/MECHANICAL/DISC
BRAKE CALIPER ADAPTER - INSTALLATION).
(8) Install the caliper (Refer to 5 - BRAKES/HY-
DRAULIC/MECHANICAL/DISC BRAKE CALIPERS
- INSTALLATION).
(9) Install the wheel and tire assembly (Refer to 22
- TIRES/WHEELS/WHEELS - STANDARD PROCE-
DURE).
PARKING BRAKE
DESCRIPTION
The parking brakes are operated by a system of
cables and levers attached to a primary and second-
ary shoe positioned within the drum section of the
rotor.
The drum-in-hat design utilizes an independent set
of shoes to park the vehicle (Fig. 67).
OPERATION
To apply the parking brake the pedal is depressed.
This creates tension in the cable which pulls forward
on the park brake lever. The lever pushes the park
brake shoes outward and into contact with the drum
section of the rotor. The contact of shoe to rotor parks
the vehicle.
A torsion locking mechanism is used to hold the
pedal in an applied position. Parking brake release is
accomplished by the hand release.
A parking brake switch is mounted on the parking
brake lever and is actuated by movement of the
lever. The switch, which is in circuit with the red
warning light in the dash, will illuminate the warn-
ing light whenever the parking brake is applied.
Parking brake adjustment is controlled by a cable
tensioner mechanism. The cable tensioner, once
adjusted at the factory, should not need further
adjustment under normal circumstances. Adjustment
may be required if a new tensioner, or cables are
installed, or disconnected.
CABLES
REMOVAL
REMOVAL - FRONT PARKING BRAKE CABLE
(1) Raise and support vehicle.
(2) Lockout the parking brake cable (Fig. 69).
(3) Loosen adjusting nut to create slack in front
cable.
(4) Remove the front cable from the cable connec-
tor.
Fig. 66 SUPPORT PLATE WITH BRAKES MOUNTED
1 - SUPPORT PLATE
2 - MOUNTING NUTS
Fig. 67 SUPPORT PLATE WITH BRAKES MOUNTED
1 - SUPPORT PLATE
2 - MOUNTING NUTS
5 - 36 BRAKES - BASEDR
SUPPORT PLATE (Continued)

(5) Compress cable end fitting at underbody
bracket and remove the cable from the bracket.
(6) Lower vehicle.
(7) Push ball end of cable out of pedal clevis with
small screwdriver.
(8) Compress cable end fitting at the pedal bracket
and remove the cable (Fig. 68).
(9) Remove the left cowl trim and sill plate.
(10) Pull up the carpet and remove the cable from
the body clip.
(11) Pull up on the cable and remove the cable
with the body grommet.
REMOVAL - REAR PARK BRAKE CABLE
(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Lockout the parking brake cable (Fig. 69).
(3) Loosen cable adjuster nut.
(4) Remove the rear park brake cable from the
intermediate park brake cable.
(5) Compress tabs on cable end fitting on the rear
park brake cable to the frame mount bracket. Then
pull the cable through the bracket.
(6) Disengage the park brake cable from behind
the rotor assembly. (Fig. 70).
(7) Compress cable tabs on each cable end fitting
at the brake cable support plate.
(8) Remove the cables from the brake cable sup-
port plates.REMOVAL - RIGHT REAR CABLE
(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Lockout the parking brake cable (Fig. 69).
(3) Loosen the brake cable at the equalizer and
adjuster nut.
(4) Remove the right cable from the front cable.
(5) Remove the right cable from the equalizer.
(6) Remove the cable from the frame bracket.
(7) Remove the cable from the axle bracket.
(8) Remove the cable bracket from the shock
bracket.
(9) Remove the brake cable from the brake lever.
(Fig. 71)
Fig. 68 Parking Brake Pedal
1 - PARK BRAKE PEDAL
2 - FRONT CABLE
Fig. 69 LOCK OUT PARKING CABLE
1 - LOCKING PLIERS
2 - PARKING BRAKE CABLE
Fig. 70 DISENGAGEMENT OF CABLE
1 - LEVER
2 - CABLE END
DRBRAKES - BASE 5 - 37
CABLES (Continued)

REMOVAL - LEFT REAR CABLE
(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Lockout the parking brake cable (Fig. 69).
(3) Loosen the brake cable at the equalizer and
adjuster nut.
(4) Remove the left brake cable from the equalizer.
(5) Remove the brake cable from the frame
bracket.
(6) Remove the brake cable from the brake lever.
(Fig. 72)
INSTALLATION
INSTALLATION - FRONT PARKING BRAKE
CABLE
(1) From inside the vehicle, insert the cable end
fitting into the hole in the pedal assembly.
(2) Seat the cable retainer in the pedal assembly.
(3) Engage the cable ball end in clevis on the pedal
assembly.
(4) Route the cable through the floorpan and
install the body grommet.
(5) Place the carpet down and install the left cowl
trim and sill plate.
(6) Raise and support the vehicle.
(7) Route the cable through the underbody bracket
and seat the cable end fitting in the bracket.
(8) Connect the cable to the cable connector.
(9) Perform the park brake adjustment procedure,
(Refer to 5 - BRAKES/PARKING BRAKE/CABLE
TENSIONER - ADJUSTMENTS).
(10) Lower the vehicle.
INSTALLATION - REAR PARK BRAKE CABLE
(1) Push each cable end through the brake cable
support plate hole until the cable end fitting tabs
lock into place.
NOTE: Pull on the cable to ensure it is locked into
place.
(2) Push the cable through the frame bracket.
(3) Lock the left cable end fitting tabs into the
frame bracket hole.
(4) Install the rear cables into the tensioner rod
behind the rear of the brake assembly.
(5) Install the cable to the intermediate cable con-
nector.
(6) Release and remove the lock out device.
(7) Perform the park brake adjustment procedure,
(Refer to 5 - BRAKES/PARKING BRAKE/CABLE
TENSIONER - ADJUSTMENTS).
(8) Remove the supports and lower the vehicle.
INSTALLATION - RIGHT REAR CABLE
(1) Install the brake cable to the brake lever. (Fig.
73)
(2) Install the cable bracket to the shock bracket.
(3) Install the cable to the axle bracket.
(4) Install the cable to the frame bracket.
(5) Install the right cable to the equalizer.
(6) Install the right cable to the front cable.
(7) Adjust the brake cable at the equalizer and
using the adjuster nut.
Fig. 71 CABLE MOUNT
1 - SUPPORT PLAT
2 - CABLE MOUNT
3 - PARK BRAKE LEVER
4 - CABLE
Fig. 72 REAR DISC BRAKE
1 - DISC BRAKE CALIPER
2 - DISC BRAKE ROTOR
3 - DUST SHIELD
4 - REAR PARKING BRAKE CABLE
5 - DISC BRAKE CALIPER MOUNTING BOLTS
5 - 38 BRAKES - BASEDR
CABLES (Continued)

INSTALLATION - LEFT REAR CABLE
(1) Install the brake cable to the brake lever (Fig.
72).
(2) Install the brake cable to the frame bracket.
(3) Install the left brake cable to the equalizer.
(4) Adjust the brake cable at the equalizer and
adjuster nut.
SHOES
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Remove the tire and wheel assembly.
(3) Remove the disc brake caliper,(Refer to 5 -
BRAKES/HYDRAULIC/MECHANICAL/DISC
BRAKE CALIPERS - REMOVAL).
(4) Remove the disc brake rotor, (Refer to 5 -
BRAKES/HYDRAULIC/MECHANICAL/ROTORS -
REMOVAL).
(5) Lockout the parking brake cable (Fig. 74).
(6) Disengage the park brake cable from behind
the rotor assembly to allow easier disassembly of the
park brake shoes (Fig. 75).
(7) Remove the axleshaft (Fig. 76) (Refer to 3 -
DIFFERENTIAL & DRIVELINE/REAR AXLE - 9 1/4/
AXLE SHAFTS - REMOVAL).
(8) Disassemble the rear park brake shoes (Fig.
67).
CLEANING - REAR DRUM IN HAT BRAKE
Clean the individual brake components, including
the support plate exterior, with a water dampened
cloth or with brake cleaner. Do not use any other
cleaning agents. Remove light rust and scale fromthe brake shoe contact pads on the support plate
with fine sandpaper.
INSPECTION - REAR DRUM IN HAT BRAKE
As a general rule, riveted brake shoes should be
replaced when worn to within 0.78 mm (1/32 in.) of
the rivet heads. Bonded lining should be replaced
when worn to a thickness of 1.6 mm (1/16 in.).
Examine the lining contact pattern to determine if
the shoes are bent or the drum is tapered. The lining
should exhibit contact across its entire width. Shoes
exhibiting contact only on one side should be
replaced and the drum checked for runout or taper
(Fig. 77).
Fig. 73 PARKING BRAKE CABLE
1 - SUPPORT PLAT
2 - CABLE
3 - LEVER
Fig. 74 LOCK OUT PARKING CABLE
1 - LOCKING PLIERS
2 - PARKING BRAKE CABLE
Fig. 75 DISENGAGEMENT OF CABLE
1 - LEVER
2 - CABLE END
DRBRAKES - BASE 5 - 39
CABLES (Continued)

Inspect the adjuster screw assembly. Replace the
assembly if the star wheel or threads are damaged,
or the components are severely rusted or corroded
(Fig. 77).
Discard the brake springs and retainer components
if worn, distorted or collapsed. Also replace the
springs if a brake drag condition had occurred. Over-
heating will distort and weaken the springs.
Inspect the brake shoe contact pads on the support
plate, replace the support plate if any of the pads are
worn or rusted through. Also replace the plate if it is
bent or distorted (Fig. 77).
INSTALLATION
NOTE: On a new vehicle or after parking brake lin-
ing replacement, it is recommended that the park-
ing brake system be conditioned prior to use. This
is done by making one stop from 25 mph on dry
pavement or concrete using light to moderate force
on the parking brake foot pedal.
(1) Reassemble the rear park brake shoes (Fig. 67)
or (Fig. 78).
(2) Install the axleshaft (Fig. 76) (Refer to 3 - DIF-
FERENTIAL & DRIVELINE/REAR AXLE - 9 1/4/
AXLE SHAFTS - INSTALLATION) or (Refer to 3 -
DIFFERENTIAL & DRIVELINE/REAR AXLE - 11
1/2 AA/10 1/2 AA/AXLE SHAFTS - INSTALLATION).
(3) Install the park brake cable to the lever behind
the support plate.
(4) Unlock the park brake cable.
(5) Install the disc brake rotor (Refer to 5 -
BRAKES/HYDRAULIC/MECHANICAL/ROTORS -
INSTALLATION).(6) Install the disc brake caliper (Refer to 5 -
BRAKES/HYDRAULIC/MECHANICAL/DISC
BRAKE CALIPERS - INSTALLATION).
(7) Adjust the rear brake shoes (Refer to 5 -
BRAKES/PARKING BRAKE/SHOES - ADJUST-
MENTS).
Fig. 76 AXLE SHAFT
1 - AXLE SHAFT
2 - SUPPORT PLATE
3 - CALIPER
4 - PARK BRAKE SHOE ASSEMBLY
Fig. 77 PARK BRAKE SHOES
1 - SUPPORT PLATE
2 - SHOES
3 - RETURN SPRINGS
4 - RETAINER CLIPS
5 - ADJUSTER
Fig. 78 SHOE ASSEMBLY
1 - Park Brake Shoes
2 - Hold Downs
3 - Return Springs
5 - 40 BRAKES - BASEDR
SHOES (Continued)

(8) Install the tire and wheel assembly (Refer to 22
- TIRES/WHEELS/WHEELS - STANDARD PROCE-
DURE).
(9) Lower the vehicle.
ADJUSTMENTS
ADJUSTMENT - PARKING BRAKE SHOES
CAUTION: Before adjusting the park brake shoes be
sure that the park brake pedal is in the fully
released position. If park brake pedal is not in the
fully released position, the park brake shoes can
not be accurately adjusted.
(1) Raise vehicle.
(2) Remove tire and wheel.
(3) Remove disc brake caliper from caliper adapter
(Refer to 5 - BRAKES/HYDRAULIC/MECHANICAL/
DISC BRAKE CALIPERS - REMOVAL).
(4) Remove rotor from the axleshaft (Refer to 5 -
BRAKES/HYDRAULIC/MECHANICAL/ROTORS -
REMOVAL).
NOTE: When measuring the brake drum diameter,
the diameter should be measured in the center of
the area in which the park brake shoes contact the
surface of the brake drum.
(5) Using Brake Shoe Gauge, Special Tool C-3919,
or equivalent,accuratelymeasure the inside diam-
eter of the park brake drum portion of the rotor (Fig.
79).
(6) Using a ruler that reads in 64th of an inch,
accurately read the measurement of the inside diam-
eter of the park brake drum from the special tool
(Fig. 80).
(7) Reduce the inside diameter measurement of
the brake drum that was taken using Special ToolC-3919 by 1/64 of an inch. Reset Gauge, Brake Shoe,
Special Tool C-3919 or the equivalent used, so that
the outside measurement jaws are set to the reduced
measurement (Fig. 81).
(8) Place Gauge, Brake Shoe, Special Tool C-3919,
or equivalent over the park brake shoes. The special
tool must be located diagonally across at the top of
one shoe and bottom of opposite shoe (widest point)
of the park brake shoes.
(9) Using the star wheel adjuster, adjust the park
brake shoes until the lining on the park brake shoes
just touches the jaws on the special tool.
(10) Repeat step 8 above and measure shoes in
both directions.
(11) Install brake rotor on the axleshaft (Refer to 5
- BRAKES/HYDRAULIC/MECHANICAL/ROTORS -
INSTALLATION).
Fig. 79 Measuring Park Brake Drum Diameter
Fig. 80 Reading Park Brake Drum Diameter
1 - SPECIAL TOOL C-3919
2 - RULER
Fig. 81 Setting Gauge To Park Brake Shoe
Measurement
1 - RULER
2 - SPECIAL TOOL C-3919
DRBRAKES - BASE 5 - 41
SHOES (Continued)