Hi guys. Question on my Dodge Ram 3/4 ton. When brakes are applied, the thing pulls to the left considerably. So I did some inspection and everything looks fine, slides fine, I took everything apart. Calipers slide freely, and the pistons move freely but only thing I noticed that was weird and seems to explain my problem is when the brake pedal is released, the driver side caliper retracts approx. a few thou, while the pass side retracts considerably more, about .040. What the heck? Why is this happening? Anyone have any insight to this? Thanks! (I also put new front brake hoses on as well and that didn't help).

What year is it ?

I would look at the rubber line , it's probably collapsed internally.

Truck is 1999 Ram 2500 V10 Auto tranny 4WD.

As far as the rubber line, I replaced that already thinking that it was collapsing as well, but it did not help one bit.

if it pulled left you need to look at the right side brakes not the left.

Well, that is the thing, the right side piston retracts way more than the left, which seems to explain the problem, but why?

Quote:

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the driver side caliper retracts approx. a few thou, while the pass side retracts considerably more, about .040

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That explains the pull as the right side pads are squeezing the rotor after the left side has already started squeezing.

I dunno, lots of possibilities - unequal piston friction in the calipers. unequal slider friction on the pads. Unequeal anti squeal goop on back of the pads. If you replaced both brake lines, look upstream at the hard lines and dist block. could be a kink or rust.

You could just keep throwing parts at it or buy a brake line pressure gauge and see if the pressure is equal on both sides before and after letting off the pedal.

It could also be a bad seal in the left caliper not allowing the piston to retract like it should.

Since it sounds like most everything else has been checked, that would be the next thing I would look at. (how much is a rebuilt caliper?)

put on a new/rebuilt passenger caliper

Yes, my gut feeling was that I was probably going to end up putting on new calipers, they aren't too expensive, we'll see what happens.

do them one at a time--and test it--tell us what happened---i think the non retracting one is at fault---bob

FWIW,
I have the same problem on my 99 2500 B vanwagon.. pulls to the left on initial apply, seems like the left caliper has more residual pressure after braking.

I am going to try changing both calipers...

Make sure you replace both hoses, right and left sides.

Could be a problem in the rear also.

Well, I changed both calipers at the same time (I was pressed for time and couldn't really do one at a time and test drive)and a night and day difference. Truck brakes properly now and even better than I remember for a long time. Still doesn't make sense to me as both previous calipers slid nicely and pistons seemed to push in with the same force. Oh well, I am happy now.
Thanks for all the insight!