On the subject of replacing the pads and rotors how can you tell if your rotors have been warped? I have 25k on mine with 4 wheel disc breaks when I stop hard a few times they start to squeal and from what I can tell it is the front doing this. Does this mean cheap front pads? or warped rotors or ? and will ceramic pads get rid of this issue?

 

when your rotors start to warp the truck will brake in pulses if that makes sense. lean back and fourth((forward and backwards) a couple times in your chair and thats what it will feel like when you stop. brake sqeal is the pads vibrating against the rotor. you can fix that by lubing the back of the pads w/ antisqeal grease. you shouldn't have to worry about your front brakes till your around 50-60k miles. your back brakes will start to go at 100k and up.

 

ah ok no pulsing but they do squeeeeeeeeeeeeel big time so I will look into the lube for the pads and then I can check the wear level too, thx much

 

well i figured out you need a 7mm allen to get the calipers off, for future reference!
but now.... what size is that damn center bolt to get the rotor off?
i put a wrench on it and then measured it... it looks to be 1-1/4 inch but chances are if i go out to buy that socket, it'll turn out to be metric.
anyone whos done this want to clue me in? (2000 dakota, front rotors)

 

i have a 2wd, but i think it is the same for 2wd and 4wd. either way, the rotors float. you do not need to remove the large center bolt. just give the rotor a nice strong pull back and forth and it should come away from the front end easily. like i said, i have a 2wd, but i beleive it is the same setup. that is one thing i love about the brakes for the dakota; the rotors are a breeze to replace.