Dodge ram truck 3500 1996 Service Manual page 186

5 - 2 BRAKES — — — B R
G E N E R A L I N F O R M A T I O N
BRAKE SYSTEM
This vehicle is equipped with front disc brakes and
rear drum brakes. The front disc brakes consist of
single piston calipers and ventilated rotors. The rear
brakes are dual brakeshoe, internal expanding units
with cast brake drums. The parking brake mecha­
nism is cable operated and connected to the rear
brake trailing shoes. Power brake assist is standard
equipment. A vacuum operated power brake booster
is used for all applications.
Two antilock brake systems are used on this vehi­
cle. A rear wheel antilock (RWAL) brake system is
standard. An all-wheel antilock brake system (ABS)
is available as an option. The RWAL and ABS sys­
tems are designed to retard wheel lockup while brak­
ing. Retarding wheel lockup is accomplished by
modulating fluid pressure to the wheel brake units.
Both systems are monitored by a microprocessor
which controls the operation of the systems*.
SERVICE WARNINGS 1 CAUTIONS
WARNING: DUST AND DIRT ACCUMULATING ON
B R A K E PARTS DURING NORMAL U S E MAY CON­
TAIN A S B E S T O S F I B E R S . BREATHING E X C E S S I V E
CONCENTRATIONS OF A S B E S T O S F I B E R S CAN
CAUSE SERIOUS BODILY HARM. EXERCISE CARE
WHEN SERVICING B R A K E PARTS. DO NOT C L E A N
BRAKE PARTS WITH COMPRESSED AIR OR BY
DRY BRUSHING. U S E A VACUUM C L E A N E R S P E ­
CIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR THE REMOVAL OF
A S B E S T O S F I B E R S FROM B R A K E COMPONENTS.
IF A SUITABLE VACUUM C L E A N E R IS NOT AVAIL­
A B L E , CLEANING SHOULD B E DONE WITH A
WATER DAMPENED CLOTH. DO NOT SAND, OR
GRIND B R A K E LINING U N L E S S EQUIPMENT USED
IS DESIGNED TO CONTAIN THE DUST RESIDUE.
DISPOSE OF A L L RESIDUE CONTAINING A S B E S ­
TOS F I B E R S IN S E A L E D B A G S OR CONTAINERS
TO MINIMIZE E X P O S U R E TO Y O U R S E L F AND OTH­
ERS. FOLLOW P R A C T I C E S P R E S C R I B E D BY THE
OCCUPATIONAL S A F E T Y AND HEALTH ADMINIS­
TRATION AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY FOR THE HANDLING, P R O C E S S I N G , AND
DISPOSITION OF DUST OR DEBRIS THAT MAY
CONTAIN ASBESTOS FIBERS.
CAUTION: Never use gasoline, kerosene, alcohol,
motor oil, transmission fluid, or any fluid containing
mineral oil to clean the system components. These
fluids damage rubber cups and seals. Use only
fresh brake fluid or Mopar brake cleaner to clean or
flush brake system components. These are the only
cleaning materials recommended. If system contam­
ination is suspected, check the fluid for dirt, discol­
oration, or separation into distinct layers. Drain and
flush the system with new brake fluid if contamina­
tion is suspected.
CAUTION: Use Mopar brake fluid, or an equivalent
quality fluid meeting SAE/DOT standards J1703 and
DOT 3. Brake fluid must be clean and free of con­
taminants. Use fresh fluid from sealed containers
only to ensure proper antilock component opera­
tion.
Use Mopar multi-mileage or high temperature
grease to lubricate caliper slide surfaces, drum
brake pivot pins, and shoe contact points on the
backing plates. Use multi-mileage grease or GE 661
or Dow 111 silicone grease on caliper bushings and
slide pins to ensure proper operation.
D E S C R I P T I O N AMD O P E R A T I O N
Brake Pedal
The brake booster is operated by a suspended type
brake pedal (Fig. 1). The pedal pivots on a shaft
located in a mounting bracket attached to the dash
panel. The pedal shaft is supported by bushings in
the pedal and mounting bracket.
PEDAL SHAFT
Fig. 1 Brake Pedal
STOP LAiP SWITCH
The plunger type stop lamp switch is mounted on a
bracket attached to the brake pedal support. The
switch can be adjusted when necessary.