Three problems related to brake disc pads have been reported for the 1997 Dodge Ram 1500. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Estremely poor brake response. During moderate braking or with a light trailer/load it takes extremely long to stop the vehicle. Only has rear abs, it has never gone off. You cannot lock the tires except on ice/snow or loose gravel/sand. Been in one accident, numerous other close calls. The brake pedal can be pressed to the floor. Dealer says nothing is wrong, several brake jobs done, now running with ss rotors and ceramic pads with no improvement. I have a friend with the same make/model/year that has 44" mudders and can stop on a dime.
Premature wear of front disc brake pads.
I have had extensive brake problems with my 97 Dodge ram. There has always been a rattle from the front driver's side wheel area. There has also been a intermittent brake pull to the driver side. It became a serious problem after the brakes were replaced at 12000 miles. The truck has also had excessive pad wear. The first set was replaced on5/15/98 with 12314 miles on the truck. The second set was replaced on6/1/98 with 13093 miles. The third set was replaced on 8/13/98 with 16336 miles on the truck. The fourth set of brakes was replaced on 4/6/99 with 25323 miles on the truck. Counting the original set of brakes, which started squealing at approximately 12000 miles, I have had five sets of front brake pads and three sets of rotors put on this truck. Not to mention that the intermittent brake pull has not gone away. Even after installing this last set of pads. I went to arbitration. I had witness statements, but the arbitrator denied my claim to have daimler Chrysler purchase my truck back. I have also had many close calls when the truck would pull to the left into oncoming traffic. The truck has also bounced off of the center median more than once. The pattern is always the same. I get the truck back from a brake repair and it is fine for one to two weeks. After a short while, one to two weeks, the truck starts to make a rattling noise from the front drivers side wheel well, then the brake pedal will get soft. Then the intermittent brake pull starts all over again. I would appreciate any help that you could give me. I have lost confidence in this vehicle, and will not drive it any more than I have to. I also will not let my wife drive it or loan it out to any friends.