brake problem

LWD · Aug 9, 2011

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.

John M · Aug 10, 2011

After 3 years, maybe its time for new ones????

bobs old iron · Aug 10, 2011

check into getting the hi=pro brakes from speed shops, rotors,pads, maybe wheel cyls for better stopping performance.

scotc · Aug 11, 2011

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

Dick W. · Aug 12, 2011

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.

scotc · Aug 13, 2011

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.

LWD · Aug 16, 2011

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.

scotc · Aug 16, 2011

I forgot. USE YOUR EMERGENCY BRAKE! The drum brake adjusters are tied to the e-brakes somehow, Using it tightens up the brakes.

ASEguy · Aug 18, 2011

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

brake problem

LWD

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John M

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bobs old iron

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scotc

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Dick W.

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scotc

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LWD

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scotc

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ASEguy

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