2011 RAM brake caliper issue again
#3120238
02/09/23 01:56 PM
02/09/23 01:56 PM
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,013 South Park, Pa.
68LAR
OP
master
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OP
master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,013
South Park, Pa.
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I'm the original owner of this 2011 RAM 4 X 4 .It is a low mileage truck, 32165miles. With that, I have replaced the passenger side front caliper twice due to it seizing up. The second caliper froze up again today. The first caliper had frozen pistons. No brainer there that it needed replaced. The caliper that froze up today, the pistons are free!!!! I can depress them very easily. But the caliper was froze to a point that the rotor was smoking. Has anyone else having this problem and what did you do to correct it. It seems to me that the current problem is not the caliper, but something up stream.
4 speed street legal. Best time 10.99 @ 124 mph on 93 octane pump gas @ 3926# total weight
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Re: 2011 RAM brake caliper issue again
[Re: 68LAR]
#3120265
02/09/23 03:01 PM
02/09/23 03:01 PM
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 19,485 north of coder
moparx
"Butt Crack Bob"
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"Butt Crack Bob"
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 19,485
north of coder
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if it were mine, i would replace the caliper hoses. it has been known they can collapse internally, acting like a one way valve. the hose problem affects other makes and models as well, so not anything really new. while it is apart, you may also consider replacing the master cylinder, as it may be acting up. that should take care of your problem. i have seen problems crop up on low mileage vehicles of all kinds, just from not driving them. just my experience in life. your mileage will vary.
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Re: 2011 RAM brake caliper issue again
[Re: moparx]
#3120293
02/09/23 04:12 PM
02/09/23 04:12 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,590 Freeport IL USA
poorboy
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,590
Freeport IL USA
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Replacing the brake hoses would be a good starting point, do both sides. Flush your brake fluid in the entire system while you are at it, the fluid is likely contaminated and isn't helping.
In the real life on the truck, the only thing that pulls the caliper piston back to release the brake is the square "O" ring on the piston cup. When you step on the brake pedal, the fluid pushes the piston cup towards the rotor and distorts the square "O" ring, Then when you let off the pedal, the pressure is relieved (if the brake hose lets the fluid flow like it should), and the square "O" ring returns to its normal shape and pulls the piston cup back away from the rotor.
Lack of regular use allows anything floating around in the brake fluid (moisture, breaking down rubber), to settle in around the "O" ring, which may not allow it to deform and pull the piston cup back away from the rotor like it was designed to do. It probably starts out as a slight drag the first few times you drive the truck after its sat a while, but then appears to function correctly. The heat build up from the slightly dragging brake probably gets the fluid hot enough to clear the moisture and remix the other debris into the fluid while the truck is in use. That "correct function" is probably short lived, especially if the truck is just used a few times before it sits again. Eventually the debris builds up enough the "O" ring can't function properly. Its the nature of the operation.
Flushing the brake fluid every 4 or 5 years may solve your issue, because it rids the brake system of debris that may be floating around in the fluid. I believe there is probably a miles AND a time frame recommendation of the required brake fluid flush in your owners manual (that very few people me included read). You know, all those things the car companies want us to spend our money on (coolant flush, trans fluid flush, brake fluid flush, belt & hose replacement time frames) that don't make much sense to us? I know the fluid flush requirement, was at least printed in the FSM (or used to be).
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Re: 2011 RAM brake caliper issue again
[Re: stumpy]
#3120303
02/09/23 04:40 PM
02/09/23 04:40 PM
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,013 South Park, Pa.
68LAR
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master
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South Park, Pa.
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Are the caliper slide areas lubed so it moves in and out freely? . Yep. Everything is free. New pads and rotors. Just curious why this happened on the passenger front only. I’m going to replace that side brake hose as a start.
4 speed street legal. Best time 10.99 @ 124 mph on 93 octane pump gas @ 3926# total weight
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Re: 2011 RAM brake caliper issue again
[Re: 68LAR]
#3120311
02/09/23 05:24 PM
02/09/23 05:24 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,602 md
mopars4ever
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I Live Here
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md
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Re: 2011 RAM brake caliper issue again
[Re: SLO-KID]
#3120432
02/10/23 12:07 PM
02/10/23 12:07 PM
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,013 South Park, Pa.
68LAR
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Joined: Oct 2003
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South Park, Pa.
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Is that the hose with the crimped mounting bracket on it? I’ve read about issues with those hoses restricting fluid flow. MY hose does not have any metal bracket on it. Just a nylon clip to hold the ABS sensor. As far as moisture, I can't see that as we are in winter and the temp lately hasn't gone above 40* for a while now. Plus, this has only happened to the passenger side front. The other three calipers are fine.
4 speed street legal. Best time 10.99 @ 124 mph on 93 octane pump gas @ 3926# total weight
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Re: 2011 RAM brake caliper issue again
[Re: moparx]
#3128705
03/12/23 10:32 AM
03/12/23 10:32 AM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,152 Mesa, Arizona
dart4forte
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,152
Mesa, Arizona
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if it were mine, i would replace the caliper hoses. it has been known they can collapse internally, acting like a one way valve. the hose problem affects other makes and models as well, so not anything really new. while it is apart, you may also consider replacing the master cylinder, as it may be acting up. that should take care of your problem. i have seen problems crop up on low mileage vehicles of all kinds, just from not driving them. just my experience in life. your mileage will vary. That was my problem, brake hoses. I was going through brakes like crazy. Calipers here hanging up and we couldn’t understand why until a tech pointed out how spongy the rubber on the hoses were. Replaced them, problem solved. Now, I replace them every 100k miles. 2007 Dodge CTD with the 5.9. Currently 350k miles.
“So if it’s on the internet it must be true”
Abe Lincoln
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