Get the Best Priced Dodge Dakota Brakes

Few things are more terrifying than stepping on the brake pedal and realizing your brakes are gone. Keeping brakes well-maintained, and replacing parts regularly, are important components of safe driving.

Why Do Brakes Fail?

"Brakes" encompasses a complex system. Your truck may have drum or disc brakes. Important parts are the brake line (or tube, hose), brake fluid, shoes, brake pads, rotors (discs), calipers, and ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) control unit.

The most common Dodge Dakota brake problem is the pads (shoes) wearing out. Drum brakes have shoes, disc brakes have pads, but both eventually erode. With disc brakes, the rotors need regular resurfacing and replacement.

How Often Is Maintenance Needed?

This varies with driving style and how much weight is hauled. Pads composed of different materials (organic, metallic, fiberglass) wear out at different rates. The average lifespan of Dodge Dakota brake pads is between 30,000 and 70,000 miles. Rotors last 3-4 times that long.

Brake rotors wear down unevenly or warp over time. When replacing pads, it's recommended to "resurface" ("turn," "machine") your rotors. Shave the surface using a lathe, to restore smoothness and straightness. This can only be done a few times before rotors are weakened. Plan on replacing the rotors every third time you replace the pads.

How Do You Know?

The brakes may respond sluggishly or require more pressure on the pedal. Some people call this Dodge Dakota brakes feeling squishy or spongy, also called "brake fade." Warped or worn-down rotors also cause vibrations in the pedal. Many brake pads are embedded with a sensor that is exposed once the pad wears down to 3mm. Then it rubs against the rotor, creating an unpleasant noise, alerting you that pads need replacement.

Check thickness regularly. A brake pad's normal thickness is 10-12 millimeters. Brakes can function when as thin as 2mm, but don't allow them to wear down further.

If you see cracks in Dodge Dakota brake rotors, replace them immediately.

Check your brake fluid levels regularly. Repair or replace a leaky line. Brake fluid should be flushed out and replaced every 2-5 years.

What Is The Cost?

Replacing the brake pads in either the rear or front (or both), costs between $196 and $325.

Replacing the pads while resurfacing the rotors is $294 to $450. If the rotors need replacement instead of resurfacing, that runs $407 to $567.

Calipers, the pieces that hold all the other parts in place, are $156 - $329 for one, and up to $621 for a full set.

Recalls

2006: Dodge Dakota brake lock up: some models' rear wheels locked up. Recommendation: replacing the ABS control unit.

1997: damaged hose, wires: some two-wheel-drive models' front wheelhouse splash shield gradually abraded the brake line or ABS wiring. Recommendation: trimming the wheelhouse shield and replacing any damaged hose or wiring.

The Good News

Because brake problems are common, there are many online instructional videos. All parts of brake systems are available from sources like PartsGeek.com.