Service Adjustments; Brake Fluid And Level; Recommended Fluid; Rear Brake Adjustment - Dodge D150 1990 Service Manual

5 - 6 BRAKES •
S E R V I C E A D J U S T M E N T S
INDEX
Page
Brake Fluid And Level •."
6
Brake System Bleeding 7
Rear Brake Adjustment 6
BRAKE FLUID AND LEVEL
RECOMMENDED FLUID
The only brake fluid recommended for A D models
is M o p a r b r a k e fluid, or a n equivalent fluid meeting
SAE J1703 and DOT 3 standards.
U s e n e w b r a k e fluid only, to top off the m a s t e r
c y l i n d e r o r refill t h e system. Never, u s e re-
c l a i m e d fluid, fluid n o t meeting the S A E / D O T
s t a n d a r d s , fluid m a r k e d 70R1, o r fluid from a
c o n t a i n e r t h a t h a s been left open for a n y length
of time. U s i n g non r e c o m m e n d e d o r unspecified
fluid c a n r e s u l t i n b r a k e failure after h a r d pro-
longed b r a k i n g .
BRAKE FLUID LEVEL
A l w a y s clean t h e master cylinder cover before
checking fluid level. I f not cleaned, d i r t f r o m t h e
cover could enter the fluid. Also check the cover seal
and replace i t i f torn or distorted.
Correct fluid level is to the bottom of the r i n g i n -
dicators on models w i t h a plastic reservoir and to
w i t h i n 1/4 i n c h of the reservoir r i m on a l l others.
I f necessary, add f l u i d to b r i n g up to t h e proper
level. Note t h a t on disc brake equipped vehicles,
fluid level can be expected to fall as the brake pads
wear.
BRAKE FLUID CONTAMINATION
O i l i n t h e fluid w i l l cause brake system rubber
seals to soften and swell. The seals may also become
porous and begin to deteriorate.
I f fluid contamination is suspected, drain off a sam-
ple f r o m the master cylinder. A suction gun can or
s i m i l a r device can be used for t h i s purpose.
E m p t y t h e drained fluid i n t o a glass container.
C o n t a m i n a n t s i n the fluid w i l l cause the fluid to sep-
arate i n t o d i s t i n c t layers. I f contamination has oc-
curred, the system rubber seals, hoses and cups must
be replaced and the system thoroughly flushed w i t h
clean brake fluid.
Page
Stop Lamp Switch Adjustment 8
Wheel Nut Tightening
8
REAR BRAKE ADJUSTMENT
The rear d r u m brakes are equipped w i t h a self ad-
j u s t i n g mechanism. U n d e r n o r m a l circumstances, t h e
only t i m e adjustment is required i s w h e n t h e brake-
shoes are replaced; removed for access t o other parts;
or w h e n one or b o t h drums are replaced.
Adjustment can be performed w i t h a standard
brake gauge or w i t h adjusting tool C-3784.
ADJUSTMENT WITH STANDARD BRAKE
GAUGE
(1) Verify t h a t the left/right automatic adjuster le-
ver and cable are properly connected a n d t h a t t h e
p a r k i n g brakes are f u l l y released. Be sure there is
slack i n the cables.
(2) Insert t h e brake gauge i n the d r u m . E x p a n d t h e
gauge u n t i l t h e gauge i n n e r legs contact t h e d r u m
b r a k i n g surface. T h e n lock t h e gauge i n position
(Fig. 1).
Fig. 1 Adjusting Gauge To Brake Drum
(3) Reverse the gauge and i n s t a l l i t o n t h e brake-
shoes (Fig. 2). Position t h e gauge legs a t t h e shoe
centers as shown. I f the gauge does not f i t (too loose/
too t i g h t ) , adjust the shoes.
(4) P u l l the shoe adjuster star wheel away from the
automatic adjuster lever.