2000 Dodge Ram Pickup 2500 from North America - Comments

I bought my Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 Cummings Diesel brand new off the lot. Up until now I have had no major problems with the truck as a whole. Just a few days ago I came home late. I have about a 15 mile drive from work to home and when I stopped to turn onto the road that leads to my house my truck seemed as if it was at a lack of power. With this in mind I give it a little bit of gas and my engine was fine, but the truck was struggling to go forward. Well, when I pulled up into my driveway I noticed smoke coming from under my fender wells, (it looked like my truck was on fire from all the smoke) so I cut it off and when I got out I knelt down to look at my wheels I touched them and they were very very hot, it burned my fingertips. Both sides were hot, but the left side was a bit hotter than the right. I came in the house and sat down for about an hour and a half to let the truck cool down. I went back outside and took it around the block. It seemed then to be fine. So I came in and went to bed. The next morning I went to work and on the way there on the highway bout half way it started struggling again. I pulled over to the side of the road and sat for about 15 min. then took off again, that didn't seem to help this time so I went on to work and when I got there I told a few people about the problems I have been experiencing and one of my workers and I went out to take a look at it. When I got in and cranked it up I put it in gear to move it and it did not move, my back tires just spun in the gravels, as if my front tires were glued to the ground, they did not budge an inch. I put it in reverse and still nothing. I have been racking my brain on what the problem could be, but don't have the first idea. So if anyone has the same problem, had the problem in the past or know someone or information that can help please contact me at rlc4515@aol.com.

Front brake pads are not releasing and its like riding around with your foot on the brake pedal, this leads to a LOT of heat buildup (ie you burning your fingers touching the rim) and this heat when hot enough will boil the brake fluid in the calipers and cause the brakes to push out even more, which applies more pressure, etc... untill the tire stops turning.

The brakes need serviced or replaced ASAP before you do damage to the system or the front wheels lock up while driving down the road and cause a wreck.

Probably a min. replacement of the pads, calipers, and fluid. max replace of rotors, wheel bearings (scored from heat), pads, calipers, hoses, fluid, mastercylinder.

Goodluck.

It's your brake calipers I've had a 1983 plymouth reliant and a 1984 pontiac fiero do the same thing except it was only on one of the front wheels maybe check your brake master cylinder, but I doubt it.

I agree with some of the previous comments as the fact that the front brakes are locking down. Only two possibilities I can think of: one and most likely, your master cylinder is not releasing pressure when you let off the brake pedal. The master cyl. is two "pumps" via one shaft being pushed by your foot. It forces fluid from two compartments with the movement of the master cyl. shaft, one for the front hydraulics for your brakes (front calipers) and one for your rear. To test if you need another master cyl. Allow fronts to lock up again and unscrew the bleeder screw on one of the calipers. If the brakes release, then this master cyl is holding the pressure even though you are not on the brake pedal pushing. If it does not release the front brakes then I would blame the front calipers and replace both of them. Don't forget to machine the front rotors as they will no doubt have a hardened finish on the braking surface due to heat stress. (I would also put another set of pads on too)

Automobob

Dallas, Tx.