1998.5-2002 Dodge 5.9L Cummins Brake Parts

Brakes on the 1998.5-2002 Dodge Ram 5.9L Cummins

These are four-wheel hydraulic brakes on a heavy-duty pickup. The 5.9L Cummins came only in the Ram 2500 and 3500 in this generation, never the 1500, so every truck on this page is a three-quarter-ton or a one-ton. For the 2000 model year Dodge moved to dual-piston front calipers and reworked the front end at the same time, with new spindles, new ball joints, non-captive rotors and larger alignment eccentrics. That is why front brake parts split at 1999/2000. At the rear, trucks built after July 1, 2000, sold as 2001 models, got vented disc brakes in place of drums. Some trucks in this range use hydroboost, where brake assist comes from power-steering pump pressure, so on those trucks the steering pump and the brakes share a job.

What fails and why

Most brake work on these trucks is ordinary wear: pads, rotors and fluid on a truck that tows and hauls. Two things are specific to this generation.

• Weak assist on hydroboost trucks. When a truck has hydroboost, power-brake assist depends on the power-steering pump. A tired pump, or one that has been shimmed, can fail and take the power brakes with it. The symptom is a hard pedal at idle or low speed, worst when you brake while turning, and it is a high-mileage problem.
• Captive front rotors on 1998.5-1999 trucks. The 1994-1999 front rotors are captive, meaning they come off with the unit bearing. A pad-and-rotor job on a 1998.5 or 1999 takes far more labor than on a 2000-2002 truck with slide-off rotors, so plan the job and the parts list with that in mind.

Stock replacement vs. upgrade

For a truck that mostly runs empty, OE-style pads and rotors with fresh fluid are all it needs. If you tow, heavy-duty or performance pads on OE-grade rotors are the usual step up. The bigger gain on long grades comes from using the service brakes less. An exhaust brake does that, but on the 47RE automatic it needs a torque-converter lock-up controller to do much, because the factory calibration does not hold lock-up on deceleration. NV4500 and NV5600 manual trucks need no controller. Owners of 1998.5-1999 trucks who are tired of captive-rotor service can switch to a free-spin hub conversion, which turns rotor service into a slide-off job.

What we carry

This collection covers fluid, cleaning and a dress-up part. From Lucas Oil there is DOT 3 Synthetic Brake Fluid and DOT 4 Synthetic Brake Fluid for a bleed or a full flush, Non-Chlorinated Brake Parts Cleaner for degreasing calipers, rotors and hardware during a pad job, and Contact Cleaner for electrical connections. From Wehrli Custom Fabrication there is a billet aluminum brake master cylinder cap listed for 1998.5-2026 5.9L and 6.7L Cummins trucks. If you need pads, rotors or calipers, call and we will help match them to your build date.

Fitment notes

Front brake parts split at the 2000 model year: single-piston calipers and captive rotors before, dual-piston calipers and non-captive rotors after. Rear parts split at the July 1, 2000 build date, with drums before and vented discs after, so a truck built near the changeover can go either way. Read the build date on the door-jamb label before you order, not just the model year on the title. Brake fluid grade should match what your master cylinder reservoir cap or owner's manual specifies. The Lucas cleaners and fluids are not truck-specific, and the WCFab cap is listed by engine and year. Verify anything that bolts on by VIN or with the fitment checker on the product page.

Frequently asked questions

Why is my brake pedal hard at idle or when I brake in a turn?

On trucks equipped with hydroboost, brake assist comes from power-steering pump pressure. A tired or shimmed pump at high mileage can lose that pressure, and the pedal goes hard at idle and low speed, worst while turning. Not every truck in this range has hydroboost, so confirm which booster yours uses before you buy parts.

Will front brake parts for a 1999 fit my 2000?

Do not count on it. For 2000, Dodge switched to dual-piston front calipers and non-captive rotors along with new spindles and ball joints. Front brake parts split at 1999/2000, so order by your model year and confirm with the fitment checker.

Does my truck have rear drums or rear discs?

Trucks built after July 1, 2000, sold as 2001 models, have rear vented disc brakes. Earlier trucks have rear drums. If yours was built close to the changeover, the build date on the door-jamb label settles it, or simply look behind the rear wheel.

Should I buy DOT 3 or DOT 4 brake fluid?

Use the grade printed on your master cylinder reservoir cap or listed in the owner's manual. We carry both as Lucas Oil synthetic fluids. If you are unsure what is in the system now, call the shop before you flush it.

Will an exhaust brake save my brakes when towing?

It reduces how much you use the service brakes on descents. On a 47RE automatic it does little unless a lock-up controller holds the torque converter locked on deceleration. Manual trucks do not need the controller.

Not sure what fits? Call the shop at the number in the header, or use the fitment checker on any product page. We install everything we sell.