Dodge ram truck 3500 1996 Service Manual page 228

5 - 44 BRAKES
B R
ADJUSTMENTS (Continued)
times to operate automatic adjusters and equalize
adjustment.
NOTE: Bring vehicle to complete standstill at each
stop. Incomplete, rolling stops will not activate
automatic adjusters.
PARKING BRAKE CABLE TENSIONER ADJUSTMENT
NOTE: Tensioner adjustment is only necessary
when the tensioner, or a cable has been replaced or
disconnected for service. When adjustment is nec­
essary, perform adjustment only as described in the
following procedure. This is necessary to avoid
faulty parking brake operation.
(1) Raise vehicle.
(2) Back off cable tensioner adjusting nut to create
slack in cables.
(3) Remove rear wheel and tire assemblies. Then
remove brake drums.
(4) Check rear brakeshoe adjustment with stan­
dard brake gauge.
(5) Replace worn brakeshoes i f necessary.
(6) Verify parking brake cables operate freely.
Replace faulty cables if necessary.
(7) Install drums and verify that drums rotate
freely without drag.
(8) Install wheel/tire assemblies.
(9) Lower vehicle enough for access to parking
brake foot pedal.
(10) Fully apply parking brakes and leave brakes
applied until adjustment is complete.
(11) Raise vehicle again.
(12) Mark tensioner rod 6.5 mm (1/4 in.) from edge
of tensioner bracket (Fig. 95).
(13) Tighten adjusting nut at equalizer until mark
on tensioner rod moves into alignment with tensioner
bracket (Fig. 95).
CAUTION: Do not loosen, or tighten the tensioner
adjusting nut for any reason after completing
adjustment.
(14) Release parking brake and verify rear wheels
rotate freely without drag. Then lower vehicle.
THREADED
ROD
(TO EQUALIZER)
CABLE
C O N N E C T O R
T E N S I O N E R
ROD
PLACE
MARK
HERE
T E N S I O N E R BRACKET
J9405-176
Fig. 95 Adjustment Mark On Cable Tensioner Rod
S P E C I F I C A T I O N S
BRAKE FLUID
The brake fluid used in this vehicle must conform
to DOT 3 specifications and SAE J1703 standards.
No other type of brake fluid is recommended or
approved for usage in the vehicle brake system. Use
only Mopar brake fluid or an equivalent from a
tightly sealed container.
CAUTION: Never use reclaimed brake fluid or fluid
from an container which has been left open. An
open container will absorb moisture from the air
and contaminate the fluid.
CAUTION: Never use any type of a petroleum-
based fluid in the brake hydraulic system. Use of
such type fluids will result in seal damage of the
vehicle brake hydraulic system causing a failure of
the vehicle brake system.