OEM Dodge Ram 3500 Van Wheel Cylinder

Dodge Ram 3500 Van Wheel Cylinder Parts and Q&A

• Wheel Cylinder
  4088898
  Q: How to Maintain and Fix a Wheel Cylinder on Dodge Ram 3500 Van?

  A:

  Begin by taking off the wheel and tire set-up and after that remove the brake drum. Disconnect the wheel cylinder brake line, remove the return springs of the brake shoes and pull the shoes away from the cylinder push rods. Once done, unscrew the cylinder attaching bolts and lift the cylinder off of the support plate. During installation, surround the cylinder area of the support plate with a bead of sealant, insert the cylinder bolts and tighten them to 20 Nm. Link the brake line to the cylinder, put the brake shoe spring back in and then install the brake drum. After replacing everything, reinstall the wheel and tire and bleed the base brake system.
• Wheel Cylinder
  4088899
  Q: How to service and repair the wheel cylinder on Dodge Ram 3500 Van?

  A:

  Take off the wheel first, then take apart the brake drum to start service and repair work on the wheel cylinder. Unhook the wheel cylinder line, pull out the brake shoe return springs and push the shoes off the cylinder push rods. After that, take out the attaching bolts that hold the cylinder to the support plate. First, lift out the push rods and boots, then press on both ends of the pistons, cups and spring and expander to take them out of the cylinder bore. Remove the bleed screw after that. Use only clean brake fluid or brake cleaner to wipe the cylinder and pistons; avoid using other cleaning agents. Afterward, dry them using compressed air because lint from shop towels or rags may stick to the cylinders. If the bore of the cylinder shows signs of discoloration or some dark marks, these are fine, as they do not interfere with use; however, a scored, pitted or strongly corroded bore suggests you replace it. Running a crocus cloth down the bore is fine. Inspect piston surfaces to see that they are still smooth and have no scratches, scoring or corrosion and change those that seem worn or broken. You can replace the piston cups, spring and expander, since they can't be used again; however, the original dust boots might work well if they're in acceptable shape. Before installing, apply clean brake fluid to the wheel cylinder bore, pistons, piston cups and spring and expander. As the first step, insert the first piston into the cylinder bore, then the first cup so the lip is in and the flat side is pressed against the piston. Following this, install both the spring and expander and then the last piston cup and piston. Put the boots on the cylinder's ends, push the push rods into the boots and install the cylinder bleed screw. First, put a bead of silicon sealer around the support plate cylinder mounting surface, install the bolts and then tighten them to 20 Nm (15 ft. lbs.). Start by joining the brake line to the cylinder. Then place the return spring, the brake drum and lastly re-install the wheel and tire assembly. Finish by filling or bleeding, the base brake line.