OEM 2004 Dodge Ram 3500 Parking Brake Shoe

2004 Dodge Ram 3500 Parking Brake Shoe Parts and Q&A

• Q: How to Maintain and Fix a Parking Brake Shoe on 2004 Dodge Ram 3500?

  A: Lift the car and keep it stable, take off the tire assembly, then remove the brake caliper and disc brake rotor. Press the cable release for the parking brake and slide it out of position behind the rotor assembly. After that, take out the axle shaft and break down the rear park brake shoes. Wipe the exterior of the support plate and other brake elements with a damp cloth or a brake cleaner, but use nothing else. Sand away any light rust and scale that has appeared on the contact pads of your brake shoes. When the thickness of riveted shoes gets close to their rivet heads, 0.78 mm (1/32 in.), they should be replaced, similarly, replace bonded lining with a thickness of 1.6 mm (1/16 in.). Review the lining contact and see if any part is starting to bend or taper; if only touching one side, install new shoes and inspect the drum for the same problem. If the star wheel or the threads on the adjuster screw are broken or if the entire assembly is severely rusted, it must be replaced. Replace worn, curved or loose springs or holders and change springs whenever you notice brakes have dragged, since walking on hot brake drums distorts and weakens them. Review the brake shoe contact pads and replace the support plate if you find that any pads are worn down, showing rust or the plate is bent. Even after changing the parking brake lining, you should make one stop from a speed of 25 mph on dry concrete or pavement, using a moderate to light pressure on the parking brake. Link the rear park brake shoes again, put the axle shaft in position and tie the park brake cable to its anchor lever behind the support plate and then unlock the cable. Put in the disc brake rotor and caliper, adjust the rear brake shoes, secure the tire and wheel group and then park the vehicle lower to the floor.