How to Fix the Back Brakes on a 1999 Dodge Dakota

The 1999 Dodge Dakota is equipped with brake shoes behind the rear wheels. Dodge did not introduce rear disc brakes until 2001. The rear braking system includes the brake shoes, brake cylinder, adjustment arm and the parking brake cable. When the brake pedal is compressed, the brake cylinder compresses the brake shoes to the inside of the brake drums. The shoes are able to stop the truck by applying friction to the inside of the drums. Once the brake shoe material reaches 1/8-inch in thickness, you need to change the shoes out as soon as possible.

Instructions

Park your 1999 Dodge Dakota on a level, paved surface and shut off the motor. Move to the back of the truck and loosen all of the lug nuts from the front wheels about 1/4-inch with a lug wrench or tire tool.

Raise the rear end of the Dodge Dakota with a jack and position jack stands under the designated rear jacking points behind each rear wheel. Lower the truck onto the stands and leave the jack as an extra safety precaution.

Finish unscrewing all of the lug nuts from the rear wheels. Pull the wheels off and set them aside.

Move to the rear driver's side wheel hub assembly and locate the small rubber plug on the back of the wheel hub assembly backing plate. Remove the plug with a pair of pliers to access the brake adjustment gear.

Slide the end of a brake adjusting tool into the access hole and move the tool around until you find the adjustment gear. Look through the hole with a flashlight to make sure that the tool is on top of one of the adjustment gears. Press the gears downward with the tool two or three different times to release the brake shoes from the brake drum. Remove the tool from the access hole.

Move to the front of the wheel hub assembly and pull the brake drum straight off of the wheel hub. If the drum is stuck, use a rubber mallet or hammer to tap the back of the drum until it is loose enough to remove from the hub. Set the brake drum aside.

Locate the brake springs at the top of the brake shoes. Use a brake spring removal tool to remove the springs. Use a flat head screwdriver to unhinge the other end of the brake spring from the retaining clip. Pull the end of the brake adjustment cable off of the anchor above the brake cylinder.

Remove the brake shoe retaining clip from each brake shoe with a brake shoe retaining clip removal tool. Slide the end of the tool over the head of the retaining clip and twist the tool to pull the clip out.

Pull the brake shoes outward and away from the wheel hub by hand. Pull the shoes toward you and set them on the ground. Install the new brake shoe parts and accessories onto the new brake shoes. Spread the new brake shoes and position them over the wheel hub assembly.

Reattach the brake springs to the top of the brake shoes and the retaining clips with the brake spring removal tool. Make sure that the tops of the brake shoes are up against each side of the brake cylinder. Also make sure that the bottoms of the brake shoes are up against each side of the brake adjustment arm. Hook the parking brake cable back over the anchor above the brake cylinder.

Inspect the brake drum for excessive wear and grooving. If any of the damage is excessive, replace the drum with a new drum. Slide the brake drum back over the wheel hub assembly. Slide the brake adjustment tool through the rear access hole on the back of the wheel hub. Move the adjustment gears upward until the brake shoes are touching the inside of the brake drums. Back off of the adjustment gear four to five clicks so that the brake shoes are adjusted to the proper distance from the inside of the brake drums. Remove the tool and reinsert the rubber plug.

Slide the wheel back on and screw the lug nuts on tight. Move to the rear passenger's side wheel and repeat the same steps for replacing the rear brake shoes. Raise the truck with the jack and remove the jack stands. Lower the truck to the ground and remove the jack.

Finish torquing the lug nuts with the lug wrench. Drive your 1999 Dodge Dakota in a safe area to test the operation of the new brake shoes. Park the truck and adjust the brake shoes' distance if necessary.