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LWD 08-09-2011 20:43:02 67.142.177.21 Report to Moderator	I had the brakes redone 3 years a go,,but I m not happy with them the truck is a 1989 dodge 250. is there a way to get better brakes, like bigger wheel cylinders or what? they don t lock up on gravel. [Reply]   [No Email]
ASEguy 08-18-2011 03:56:53 68.186.162.134 Report to Moderator	Re: brake problem in reply to LWD, 08-09-2011 20:43:02   I would NOT get larger wheel cylinders. That truck, as well as all vehicles, was designed to properly stop the vehicle at GVW. If it is not you must find the deficiency. The rear brakes are not automatically adjusted through the e-brake. That is common with leading/trailing designs. Your servo action brakes were designed to self adjust by backing up and applying the brake. If it stops well when cold, but not hot it is either a fade issue which gets worse the hotter they get or the wrong pads/shoes were installed. Lining material significantly affects brake performance. You should have semi metallics on that truck. If it doesn't stop well cold it could be as simple as a rear brake adjustment. On a truck of that year I would check the starwheels for being locked up. Remember the starwheels are side specific. Put them in backwards and they self adjust IN. Also make sure the secondary shoe (longer frictional surface) is in the rear on both sides. Hope this helps. Gerard   [Reply]  [No Email]
scotc 08-16-2011 18:34:22 72.100.228.118 Report to Moderator	Re: brake problem in reply to LWD, 08-09-2011 20:43:02   I forgot. USE YOUR EMERGENCY BRAKE! The drum brake adjusters are tied to the e-brakes somehow, Using it tightens up the brakes.   [Reply]  [No Email]
LWD 08-16-2011 14:52:06 67.142.177.24 Report to Moderator	Re: brake problem in reply to LWD, 08-09-2011 20:43:02   think you boys,,this truck has a slide in dump box so I have 600lb load all the time..if I use it more often helps too.   [Reply]  [No Email]
Dick W. 08-12-2011 05:45:29 174.54.58.169 Report to Moderator	Re: brake problem in reply to LWD, 08-09-2011 20:43:02   If your problem is in the rear brakes you can get bigger wheel cylinders and also the wider shoes. You may need to be more careful with the bigger brakes system on wet roads when empty. They can lock up sooner in poor traction areas. Does it have ABS? We've used the bigger cylinders on a lot of farm trucks over the years.HTH.   [Reply]  [No Email]
scotc 08-12-2011 22:37:54 75.226.253.31 Report to Moderator	Re: brake problem in reply to Dick W., 08-12-2011 05:45:29   Yeah, all the Cummins trucks came with ABS so I imagine all of the trucks did in those years. Some love the stock set-up, others hate them. Mine work pretty good. But the guy over on the DTRF who hates the stock system and cusses it the most, is also pinning his fan clutch because he thinks it doesn't engage soon enough and lets it run too hot.   [Reply]  [No Email]
scotc 08-11-2011 18:56:49 75.226.230.55 Report to Moderator	Re: brake problem in reply to LWD, 08-09-2011 20:43:02   Best bet up front is to run OEM or OEM-replacements. In back you can turn the drums and run D/W350 shoes, the drums are the same but the shoes on the 250s are narrower. Some guys have trouble with the ABS pump and bypass them. Everything has to be working properly or they don't work the greatest. Some have had a frozen caliper trigger the dash lights. I find a lot of info on the Diesel Truck Resource Forums. I've put up a link to some info, just go down til you find the post about brakes, there is info on the 3 inch brake shoe swap and even going to a hydroboost system. This is for diesels, but the info on the brakes will interchange for a gasser, the Cummins had a vacuum pump and vacuum assisted brakes until 98. Fix it info for 89 94 Dodge   [Reply]  [No Email]
bobs old iron 08-10-2011 18:54:32 75.171.150.146 Report to Moderator	Re: brake problem in reply to LWD, 08-09-2011 20:43:02   check into getting the hi=pro brakes from speed shops, rotors,pads, maybe wheel cyls for better stopping performance.   [Reply]  [No Email]
John M 08-10-2011 17:43:13 67.231.169.173 Report to Moderator	Re: brake problem in reply to LWD, 08-09-2011 20:43:02   After 3 years, maybe its time for new ones????   [Reply]  [No Email]