Power Wagon Registry

I've got a question for anyone with a newer power wagon. I upgraded my 2005 to a 2018 this summer and just had my first chance a couple weeks ago to do some off roading. I've noticed my brakes feel pretty soft/spongey in the new truck as compared to my other one, but didn't think it was an issue. But when I was going down a steep hill off road, I pressed my pedal all the way down and bottomed it out and the truck lurched to a stop slowly. It has continued to do it any time I take it down something steep. My driveway is steep and when I back out, if I press as hard as I can on my pedal the truck lurches to a stop- it's not instant like I would expect it to be. Going like 2mph it'll take a good few feet to stop with the pedal bottomed out. If I'm sitting at a stop light, I can pretty easily bottom my pedal all the way out. I pump it and it gets firm, but if I hold on the pedal it will gradually lose pressure rather quickly. The dealership looked at it today and said it's normal and there are no issues. Just seems to me like when I spend 50k on a truck it should be able to stop appropriately and quickly when I need it to. Anyone else have similar issues with their truck? Is this just how the new ones are? Any thoughts and advice would be helpful. I feel like I'm losing my mind over this. Thanks!

My 16 is like that as well, especially in low range reverse. For a second it makes you wonder if it will stop. If I have to back down a steep hill I usually pop it to neutral to get the brakes to be firm. On the road I don't notice the brakes to be lacking, mine seems to be mostly in low range.

In the rocks in 4Lo and/or locked up it is definitely a chore. Wish we had hydroboost instead of vacuum. I can't find it but I'm sure I read that it's a two stage booster so at least in my driving, stopping from speed is good up until 10 ish and below, and then it seems the boost comes off acting more like my older trucks with manual master cylinders. Compared to my 2009 half ton Ram (which would throw you through the window) it is definitely a slug. I've read that some have changed out the pads and bedded them (not factory replacement) which dramatically increased the pedal feel and stopping. With my last truck I always pumped and since it's a habit from my Scout's I tend to do it every time which does seem to help with the last 20 feet. I am going to replace the pads here shortly as I tow and as I'm typing this she is getting re-shoed with 35's so I'm sure that won't exactly help with the braking.

My 2016 is definitely odd compared to my hydro boost 2500 Chevy. It definitely feels weird. My second gen Dodge even with vacuum boost and my odd combination of brakes (1500 booster/master; 2500 fronts, E350 discs/K20 front calipers in the rear) feels a lot more linear.

Big brakes, and I have never smoke the pads unlike the other two, it's just the feel..

I've replaced the rotors with EBC rotors and use EBC YellowStuff pads on my 3G. I can lock up the brakes at will. Getting ready to change out the brake lines with stainless. You guys with the newer 4G's. I would start with a pad change. Stay away from a lifetime pads. Go with EBC's, or Carbotech's.

If your foot is going to the floor, you almost for sure have air in your lines. Buy a Mity-Vac (even harbor freight sells them, made in USA if I remember right) and suck your brake lines. Having soft brakes is one thing, that is downright dangerous. I can still lock my brakes with 37’s.

If the brakes still feel soft you could get some stainless braided lines made.

Good pads help a lot too. EBC yellowstuff or Powerstop Z36 are good picks I think.

It's not travel. You just have to push harder at random times. It's more force related. I always felt silly for putting two feet on the brake pedal on the second gen as it was likely traction related. On the 4.5 gen, its needed. Two feet, literally standing on it, will stop better. No air. Travel not weird. Just pressure.

My 16 doesn't seem any different than my 07.

Ive had the same brake issues with my 16 also.

I hear you on the feel, heavy initially and then tapering off as opposed to the linear feel of hydroboost or single stage/single diaphragm vacuum assist. Of course the transmission downshifting the way it does assists (and still feels weird) but I think better biting pads to start, and then when it comes time, new rotors and pads that are designed to stand you up. Of course considering how much the brakes play into the payload and towing calculations and in fact I have locked the brakes up (especially when I first got her) I'm sure that my perceptions of the brakes were coming from driving a half ton (relatively basic in model) to a fully loaded (much heavier) vehicle.

In my mind, it's just weird. They always work. But my Chevy with 2" smaller brakes had better feel. Until they smoked. So the quality is good, just throws me off. Snow/Ice is good. Just dry.

the 18 powerwagons are 100% not lacking on brake power. could they be better, yes please.

they are spongy just like any truck, but they react linear enough and perform admirably for a stock set.
they have brought me to a stop when i needed them most...maybe a few too many times. and i dont need to stand on it.

must be air or a bad fill.

The pedal should never get to the floor (by design) unless you have a problem! You said no air... but consider bleeding them Again.

Yeah that’s why you yank the ABS Pump fuse haha

My ‘16 acted this very way when I was wheeling it in Moab.


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DamageWagon wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 17, 2018 1:09 pm

Yeah that’s why you yank the ABS Pump fuse haha

I agree . Try this and see if it feels better.

Does this work on 2014+ trucks?

machete-lc wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 17, 2018 8:47 pm

Does this work on 2014+ trucks?

What, pulling the ABS fuse? Absolutely! And it works great. Kills all the bullshit electronic nannies too. But be prepared for an email update that your truck needs servicing

olyelr wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 17, 2018 10:29 pm

machete-lc wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 17, 2018 8:47 pm

Does this work on 2014+ trucks?

What, pulling the ABS fuse? Absolutely! And it works great. Kills all the bullshit electronic nannies too. But be prepared for an email update that your truck needs servicing

Bill's Jitterbug doesn't get email.

Interesting... on my 2017 the brakes were initially pretty soft, then as they broke in that went away and now at around ~9800 miles they are very solid. I wonder if part of it is how they are broke in?

Well I can't find an issue anywhere, and the dealer can't either. I called another dealer but since it has already been billed to Chrysler, nobody else can look at it under warranty unless I have more issues. But just like Longbomber said, in low range reverse it is the most noticeable. I don't think the truck is lacking braking power on the road, but definitely is when I'm off road most noticeable going down something steep. I'm not sure why I can bottom the pedal out, I've never been able to do that in any other truck I've driven expect our old farm trucks and my dad's 68' power wagon that requires about 5 pumps to get the brakes to work. Just a weird feeling in a new truck is all. Didn't know if it I was the only one who had these issues, but I see that I'm not. I've been a bit reluctant to hook up my horse trailer to it, but I don't know what more can be done unless more problems show up down the road. Just seems weird to be able to sit there and push on my pedal until it bottoms out with not a lot of effort.

is this issue only in 4 low? 4 HI? 2 HI?

I have only experienced it when in 4 low.



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LagunaH1 wrote: ↑

Tue Sep 18, 2018 2:28 pm

I have only experienced it when in 4 low.

I’ll have to test mine out this weekend in 4-low to see if mine does this too...

I have only noticed it with mine while in 4-lo. Never had an issue braking otherwise.