2001 Dodge Dakota Brake Pedal pulsation mystery...

[marauder12]

So recently I have had my front rotors, brakes and drivers side hub assembly replaced in trying to resolve this issue of my brake pedal pulsating randomly... I have also had new tires balanced and installed and still did not fix (I had to do anyways because of winter coming). It will probably pulsate twice in a 30 mile driving trip... The vehicle that this is occurring on a 2001 Dodge Dakota. I am at a loss here of what to try next. I have brought it to a mechanic that I trust and he could not replicate the issue to fix. I described to him what was happening and he looked underneath and couldn't find anything. Any ideas would be great. The thing that confusing me is that it is at random not always happening.

[gmtech1]

Are you sure it's not coming from the rear brakes? Sometimes the pulsation will not occur until the rotors or drums have a fair amount of heat in them.

[marauder12]

I have also replaced those too and rear wheel cylinders (about a year ago)... I did see a post here that it could be possibly the master cylinder? I just got done talking to autozone guy and he said he had two people replace their front brake hose and it resolved the problem. Not sure which one to try first... I do on occasion smell hot brake on my front drivers side... Any ideas on which one to try first?


Thanks

[gmtech1]

I would do the flex hoses first, it is possible that they are breaking down, causing a restriction and not fully releasing the caliper piston. Do both sides.

[CMack545Cobra]

Originally Posted by marauder12

I have also replaced those too and rear wheel cylinders (about a year ago)... I did see a post here that it could be possibly the master cylinder? I just got done talking to autozone guy and he said he had two people replace their front brake hose and it resolved the problem. Not sure which one to try first... I do on occasion smell hot brake on my front drivers side... Any ideas on which one to try first?


Thanks

now you said you replaced the rear brakes... did you turn or replace the drums?
i'm an L1 tech and I have never in my career seen a bad master cause a pulsation..if anything; a spongy pedal

[CMack545Cobra]

Originally Posted by gmtech1

I would do the flex hoses first, it is possible that they are breaking down, causing a restriction and not fully releasing the caliper piston. Do both sides.

excellent point! flex hoses can collapse from the inside causing restriction and lack of release. in turn, that can generate more heat than normal "warping" or causing a variation in thickness of the rotors

[marauder12]

I had the back brake drums replaced...