1999 DODGE RAM Service Repair Manual

Fig. 1: Bleeding Master Cylinder (Typical)
Courtesy of Chrysler Corp.
Vacuum Bleeding
Fill master cylinder. Install vacuum bleed equipment to first
bleeder valve to be serviced. Open bleeder valve 3/4-1 turn. Depress
vacuum pump, and pull fluid into reservoir jar. Bleed each bleeder
valve in sequence. See BLEEDING SEQUENCE table.
CAUTION: When using pressure bleeding method, press and hold in valve
stem on combination valve to properly bleed brake system.
Pressure Bleeding
1) Clean master cylinder cap and surrounding area. Remove
cap. With pressure tank at least 1/2 full, connect it to master
cylinder using appropriate adapters. Attach bleeder hose to first
bleeder valve to be serviced. See BLEEDING SEQUENCE table.
2) Submerge other end of hose in clean glass jar partially
filled with clean brake fluid. Position metering valve properly before
pressure bleeding.
3) Open release valve on pressure bleeder. Follow equipment
manufacturer's pressure bleeding instructions, or see PRESSURE BLEEDER
SETTINGS table. Open bleeder screw 3/4-1 turn, and note fluid flow.
4) Close bleeder screw when fluid flow is free of air
bubbles. Repeat procedure on remaining wheels in proper sequence.
Check brake pedal operation after bleeding.
5) Remove pressure bleeding equipment, and valve retainer
from metering valve. Ensure master cylinder is full of fluid.
PRESSURE BLEEDER SETTINGS

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Application psi (kg/cm)
All Models ....................................... 10-15 (1.06-1.41)\









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NOTE: When bleeding disc brakes, air may tend to cling to caliper
walls. Lightly tap caliper while bleeding to aid in removal
of air.
Manual Bleeding
1) Fill master cylinder. Install bleeder hose on first
bleeder valve to be serviced. See BLEEDING SEQUENCE table. Submerge
other end of hose in clean glass jar partially filled with clean brake
fluid.
NOTE: When bleeding brake system manually, ensure bleeder valve is
closed when brake pedal is released.
2) Open bleeder valve 3/4-1 turn. Depress brake pedal slowly
through full travel. Close bleeder valve. Release pedal. Repeat
procedure until fluid flow is free of air bubbles.
ADJUSTMENTS
PARKING BRAKE
1) Release parking brake, and loosen cable adjusting nut to
allow slack in cable. Adjust rear brakes. Tighten cable adjusting nut
until a slight drag is felt while rotating rear wheels.
2) Loosen cable adjusting nut until both rear wheels can be
rotated freely. Back off adjusting nut an additional 2 turns. Apply
and release parking brake several times, checking for free rotation at
rear wheels.
REAR BRAKE SHOES
1) Raise and support vehicle. Ensure parking brake lever is
fully released. Back off parking brake cable adjustment to ensure
cable has slack. Remove adjusting hole cover.
2) Using a brake adjuster, expand brake shoes until slight
drag is felt when wheel assembly is rotated. Using thin screwdriver,
hold automatic adjusting lever away from adjustment star wheel.
3) Back off adjustment star wheel until wheel assembly
rotates freely and brake shoe drag is eliminated. Repeat adjustment
for remaining wheels. Adjustment must be equal at all wheels. Replace
adjusting hole covers. Adjust parking brake. See PARKING BRAKE.
STOPLIGHT SWITCH
Stoplight switch is attached to brake pedal support. Push
stoplight switch through clip in mounting bracket until switch seats
in bracket. Pull brake pedal backward as far as pedal will travel.
Brake pedal will ratchet stoplight switch to correct position. Verify
full brake pedal return, and that stoplights glow when brake pedal is
applied.
TESTING
POWER BRAKE BOOSTER FUNCTIONAL TEST

1) Start engine, and check booster vacuum hose connections. A
hissing noise indicates a vacuum leak. Repair any vacuum leaks before
proceeding. Stop engine, and shift transmission into Neutral. Pump
brake pedal until all vacuum reserve in booster is depleted.
2) Hold brake pedal under light pressure. If pedal does not
hold firm and falls away, master cylinder may be faulty. Bleed system
using appropriate method, and repeat step 1). See BLEEDING PROCEDURES
under BLEEDING BRAKE SYSTEM.
3) If pedal still does not hold firm, master cylinder is
faulty. If pedal holds firm, start engine and observe pedal height. If
pedal height change is not apparent, power booster or vacuum check
valve is faulty. Install good check valve, and repeat steps 1) and 2).\
If pedal falls away slightly under light pressure and then holds firm,
go to next step .
4) Start engine. Release brake pedal. Increase engine speed
to 1500 RPM. Close throttle and immediately turn off ignition. Wait at
least 90 seconds, and try brake action again. Booster should provide 2
or more vacuum assisted pedal applications. If vacuum assist is not
provided, perform booster and check valve vacuum tests.
POWER BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM TEST
Connect vacuum gauge to booster check valve using "T"
fitting. Start engine, and run at idle speed for one minute. Clamp
hose shut between vacuum source and check valve. Stop engine, and
observe vacuum gauge. If vacuum drops more than one in. Hg within 15
seconds, booster diaphragm or check valve is faulty.
POWER BRAKE BOOSTER CHECK VALVE TEST
Disconnect vacuum hose from check valve. Remove check valve
and valve seal from booster. Use a hand-operated vacuum pump for
testing. Apply 15-20 in. Hg at large end of check valve. Vacuum should
hold steady. If gauge on pump indicates vacuum loss, check valve is
faulty and should be replaced.
COMBINATION VALVE METERING VALVE TEST
Metering valve operation can be checked visually with aid of
an assistant. While an assistant applies and releases brake pedal,
observe metering valve stem. If valve is operating correctly, stem
will extend slightly when brakes are applied, and contract when brakes
are released. If valve is faulty, replace combination valve assembly.
COMBINATION VALVE PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL SWITCH TEST
1) Using an assistant, apply brake pedal. Observe brake
warning light. Raise and support vehicle, and connect a bleed hose to
one rear wheel cylinder. Submerge other end of hose into container
partially filled with brake fluid. Have assistant press and hold brake
pedal down while observing brake warning light. Open bleeder screw. If
warning light glows, switch is operating properly.
2) If warning light fails to glow, check circuit fuse, bulb
and wiring. Repair as necessary. Repeat step 1). If warning light
fails to glow, check brakelight, parking brake switches and related
wiring. Repair as necessary. Repeat step 1). If warning light fails to
glow, pressure differential switch is faulty. Replace combination
valve assembly, and bleed brake system. Verify proper valve operation.
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

CALIPER
CAUTION: DO NOT allow caliper to hang by brake hose. Damage to brake
hose could result.
Removal
Raise and support vehicle. Remove front wheels. Remove
caliper guide pins from steering knuckle or mounting bolts from
caliper adapter. Rotate lower end of caliper away from rotor. Slide
upper end of caliper from steering knuckle or caliper adapter. Remove
outer pad from caliper. Remove inner pad from caliper piston. See
Fig. 2 . Support caliper aside. Remove rotor. See ROTOR.
Fig. 2: Exploded View Of Single-Piston (75 mm) Sliding Caliper
(Typical)
Courtesy of Chrysler Corp.
Installation
1) Clean caliper and adapter slide surfaces using wire brush.
Lubricate with multipurpose grease. Remove protective paper from noise
suppression gasket on inner and outer pads (if equipped). Install
anti-rattle clip on top of adapter (if equipped). Install inner pad in\
caliper piston. Install outer pad in caliper. Install rotor. Install
caliper assembly. Install and tighten caliper guide pins (or mounting
bolts) to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS table.
2) If caliper overhaul was necessary, install brake hose.
Bleed brake system. See BLEEDING BRAKE SYSTEM. Install wheels. Fill
master cylinder to proper level. Slowly pump brake pedal until firm.
Check master cylinder fluid level. Road test vehicle.

ROTOR
CAUTION: DO NOT allow caliper to hang by brake hose.
Inspection
1) Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheels. On Dakota 4WD,
reinstall and tighten lug nuts to secure rotor. On Dakota 2WD, Ram
Pickup and Ram Van, remove dust cap, and temporarily adjust wheel
bearings to zero end play.
2) On all models, mount dial indicator on steering arm, with
plunger contacting rotor about 1" (25 mm) from edge of rotor. Slowly
rotate rotor, and note lateral runout. Lateral runout on either side
of rotor should not exceed specification. See DISC BRAKE
SPECIFICATIONS.
3) On Dakota, check runout of hub face if runout exceeds
specification. Before removing rotor, make a chalk mark across rotor
and one wheel stud. Make mark on high side of runout.
4) Remove rotor from hub. Install dial indicator on steering
arm, with stem contacting hub face near outer diameter. Place dial
indicator stem outside stud circle but inside chamfer on hub rim. If
runout exceeds specification See DISC BRAKE SPECIFICATIONS. Hub must
be replaced.
5) If hub runout is within specification, install rotor on
hub with chalk marks 180 degrees apart. Install wheel lug nuts, and
recheck rotor runout. If runout is not within specification, resurface
or replace rotor.
6) On all models, measure rotor parallelism. To measure
parallelism, measure rotor thickness with micrometer at 12 equal
points around rotor radius approximately 1" (25 mm) from edge of
rotor. If thickness varies more than parallelism specification,
resurface or replace rotor. See DISC BRAKE SPECIFICATIONS.
Removal (Dakota 2WD, Ram Pickup 2WD (5 Studs), & Ram Van)
Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheels. Remove brake
caliper from adapter. Support caliper aside. Remove grease cap, cotter
pin, nut lock, nut, thrust washer and outer wheel bearing. Pull rotor
assembly off spindle.
Installation
1) Slide rotor assembly into position on spindle. Pack and
install outer wheel bearing, thrust washer and nut. While rotating
rotor and hub assembly, tighten wheel bearing nut to specification.
See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS table.
2) Back off nut to release preload. Retighten nut finger
tight. Install nut lock and cotter pin. Coat inside of cap with
grease, and install cap. To complete installation, reverse removal
procedure.
Removal (Ram Pickup With Tapered Bearings)
1) Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel. Remove brake
caliper and adapter. Support caliper aside. Remove grease cap and
driving hub snap ring. Remove drive hub and spacer.
2) On models with removable adapter hub, remove hub from
rotor. On models with one-piece hub and rotor assembly, remove grease
cap, cotter pin and bearing adjuster nut. Remove thrust washer and
outer wheel bearing. Remove rotor and hub assembly from spindle.
Installation
1) Apply liberal coat of wheel bearing grease to spindle.
Install hub and rotor on spindle. Pack and install outer bearing.
Install thrust washer and bearing adjuster nut. Tighten nut only
enough to remove end play at his time.
2) Install caliper. DO NOT seat caliper pistons and brake

pads at this time. On models with removable hub, install hub on rotor.
Install wheel and tire assembly. Tighten lug nuts so they are snug,
but DO NOT tighten to final torque specifications.
3) While rotating wheel, tighten adjuster nut sufficiently to
seat bearing. Loosen nut and retighten while still rotating wheel.
Back off adjuster nut to completely release bearing preload torque.
Ensure endplay of .001-.003" (.025-.076 mm). Install lock nut and NEW
cotter pin. If necessary, tighten lock nut slightly to align cotter
pin hole. Install grease cap. Tighten caliper bolts and lug nuts to
specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS table. To complete
installation, reverse remove procedure.
Removal (Ram Pickup With 8 Studs)
1) Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel. Remove hub
extension, if equipped. Remove brake caliper. Support caliper aside.
2) On models with removable adapter hub, remove hub from
rotor. On models with one-piece hub and rotor assembly, remove cotter
pin from rotor hub nut. Remove nut. Disconnect ABS wheel speed sensor
wire (if equipped), and remove from frame and steering knuckle. Remove\
bolts securing hub to steering knuckle from inboard side of steering
knuckle. Remove rotor and hub assembly.
Installation
1) Apply anti-seize compound to drive shaft splines. Replace
grease seal in steering knuckle, if necessary. Insert 2 rearmost top
and bottom rotor hub bolts in steering knuckle so they extend through
back of knuckle. Install hub spacer, ensuring flat on space is
positioned to rear. Use chassis grease to hold spacer in position, if
necessary.
NOTE: If equipped with wheel speed sensor, brake shield must be
positioned on hub bearing, and sensor wire must be at top of
knuckle.
2) Align rotor hub with drive shaft and install hub assembly.
Align bolt holes in hub flange with bolts previously installed. Start
nuts on flange bolts sufficiently to hold assembly in place. Install
remaining bolts, and tighten all bolts to specification. See TORQUE
SPECIFICATIONS table.
3) Install washer and hub nut. Tighten nut securely. Install
NEW cotter pin. Install grease cap. Install caliper. Tighten caliper
bolts and lug nuts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS table.
To complete installation, reverse remove procedure.
REAR BRAKE SHOES
WARNING: Use water or brake cleaner to clean brake parts. DO NOT use
compressed air to remove dirt and dust.
Removal (Dakota & Ram Van)
1) Remove wheel and drum. Note how secondary spring overlaps
primary return spring. Using spring remover, remove brake shoe return
springs. Slide automatic adjuster cable off anchor. Disconnect cable
from adjusting lever.
2) Remove cable, cable guide and anchor plate. See Figs. 3,
4, and 5. Disconnect adjusting lever return spring from lever. Remove
lever and return spring from pivot pin. Remove shoe-to-shoe spring.
Spread shoes, and remove adjustment star wheel.
3) Remove shoe retainers, springs and pins. Remove parking
brake lever from secondary shoe. Remove shoes and parking brake strut
with spring.

Fig. 3: Identifying Typical Drum Brake Components (Dakota & Ram Van)
Courtesy of Chrysler Corp.
Installation
1) Apply thin coat of multipurpose grease to 6 shoe contact
pads on support plate. Connect parking brake lever to secondary shoe.
Install primary shoe on support plate with shoe pin, spring and
retainer.
2) Install spring on parking brake strut, and engage strut
into primary shoe. Install secondary shoe on support plate with shoe
pin, spring and retainer. Insert strut into slot in parking brake
lever.
3) Install anchor plate and eye of adjusting cable over
anchor. Install primary return spring. Position cable guide over hole
in secondary shoe, and install secondary return spring.
NOTE: To identify left and right adjustment star wheels, unscrew
threaded rod from star wheel. Note stamped "L" or "R" on end
of threaded rod.
4) Install adjustment star wheel with wheel closest to
secondary shoe. Install shoe-to-shoe spring, engaging in primary shoe

first with coil on opposite side of adjusting lever. Install lever
spring and adjusting lever over pivot pin.
5) Slide lever rearward to lock in position. Thread adjuster
cable over guide, and hook end of cable in lever. Verify adjuster
operation. Pull adjuster cable upward. Cable should lift lever and
rotate star wheel. Ensure adjuster lever properly engages star wheel
teeth. Adjust brakes. See REAR BRAKE SHOES under ADJUSTMENTS.
Removal (Ram Pickup)
1) Remove drum. See AXLE BEARING & SEAL (FULL FLOATING AXLE)\
.
Disconnect adjusting lever from cable. Disconnect adjusting lever
return spring from lever. Remove lever, and return spring from pivot
pin. Remove upper shoe-to-shoe spring.
2) Disconnect and remove shoe retainers, springs and hold-
down pins. Disconnect parking brake cable from lever. Remove both
brake shoes, lower shoe-to-shoe spring and adjustment star wheel as an
assembly. See Fig. 4. Remove lower shoe-to-shoe spring.
Fig. 4: Exploded View Of Typical Rear Drum Brake Assembly (Ram
Pickup)
Courtesy of Chrysler Corp.
NOTE: Adjustment star wheel on left brake assembly has left-hand