98 Dodge 2500 Brake Problem

[Ducs N Bucs 4 Life 0]

After hunting all afternoon went down a steep shale hill for about 20 min and my brakes felt soft and hard to stop, But only happens when its hot out, Anybody out there ever had this happen?

 

Ducs N Bucs

[Geoff.C 0]

Sounds like you need a brake fluid change. The fluid absorbs moisture from the atmosphere (hygroscopic) and this water contamination will lower the boiling point. This is mostly not a problem until you make heavy continuous demands of the brakes. (20 minutes steep downhill) Then the fluid nearest the caliper piston heat source (disc pads) will boil and give a spongy pedal.

[Ducs N Bucs 4 Life 0]

Sounds like you need a brake fluid change. The fluid absorbs moisture from the atmosphere (hygroscopic) and this water contamination will lower the boiling point. This is mostly not a problem until you make heavy continuous demands of the brakes. (20 minutes steep downhill) Then the fluid nearest the caliper piston heat source (disc pads) will boil and give a spongy pedal.

 

Thanks GeoffC

 

I did a search and found the same info you're talking about, Seems like its kinda common

 

Found it here http://repairpal.com This site says it should cost between $139 and $177 to bleed the brake system, Do you think thats a fair price?

 

Thanks Again Ducs N Bucs

[Geoff.C 0]

Hi Ducs N Bucs, the problem is fairly common. To prevent it, most UK/ European market manufacturers have it as a service item to change the fluid every two years. $139 sounds a bit expensive to me. Unless any problems occur, like say a siezed bleed nipple. I would have thought an hours work plus a litre of brake fluid. Maybe $ to $100 max. Maybe the charge out rate is higher in the USA?

[Ducs N Bucs 4 Life 0]

Hi Ducs N Bucs, the problem is fairly common. To prevent it, most UK/ European market manufacturers have it as a service item to change the fluid every two years. $139 sounds a bit expensive to me. Unless any problems occur, like say a siezed bleed nipple. I would have thought an hours work plus a litre of brake fluid. Maybe $ to $100 max. Maybe the charge out rate is higher in the USA?

 

Hey GeoffC

 

We live in California where every thing is high ( gas,shells,people ) $120 an hour for labor

 

Coffee $4 a cup diesel $4.93 gas $4.29

 

Whats the cost for fuel where you live?

 

Ducs N Bucs

[roybo 2,873]

Hi Ducs N Bucs, the problem is fairly common. To prevent it, most UK/ European market manufacturers have it as a service item to change the fluid every two years. $139 sounds a bit expensive to me. Unless any problems occur, like say a siezed bleed nipple. I would have thought an hours work plus a litre of brake fluid. Maybe $ to $100 max. Maybe the charge out rate is higher in the USA?

 

Hey GeoffC

 

We live in California where every thing is high ( gas,shells,people ) $120 an hour for labor

 

Coffee $4 a cup diesel $4.93 gas $4.29

 

Whats the cost for fuel where you live?

 

Ducs N Bucs

probably about the equivalent of $10 a gallon if not more

[Geoff.C 0]

Hi Ducs N Bucs, the problem is fairly common. To prevent it, most UK/ European market manufacturers have it as a service item to change the fluid every two years. $139 sounds a bit expensive to me. Unless any problems occur, like say a siezed bleed nipple. I would have thought an hours work plus a litre of brake fluid. Maybe $ to $100 max. Maybe the charge out rate is higher in the USA?

 

Hey GeoffC

 

We live in California where every thing is high ( gas,shells,people ) $120 an hour for labor

 

Coffee $4 a cup diesel $4.93 gas $4.29

 

Whats the cost for fuel where you live?

 

Ducs N Bucs

probably about the equivalent of $10 a gallon if not more

 

Yep, that's about right nowadays. I was in Wisconsin last July, and some local lads were complaining that "gas" was nearly $4 a gallon (then anyway).

They were amazed when I told them we were paying $8, although our gallon is a little more than a USG.