So its been a while. Trucks been running good, though I drive very little during winter. Its summer now and I noticed some rot wear on the tires (tires have lots of tread but are dated 2012, so not surprised).

During the summer I tow a lot, every weekend(boat) and sometimes more.

SO, took it to my normal tire shop for new tires and to inspect brakes (parking brake groans on the steep boat ramp when I'm putting out the boat.) Have them check them all.

indeed rear shoes need replacing, I think they are even original (75k miles)

Front pads look pretty new (I've had it a year). But rotors are thin. They offer to do rotors for what they charge in parts (which has $50 of margin, they charge $109, for what I can get for 60). Later I find out the service writer thinks they the rotors just slide on/off like 2wd or other vehicles. I know they are a bitch from every YouTube video and forum post, so for $50 I'm glad to let him.
Well he eventually figured out his mistake. Though he honors his original quote.

Anyway, indeed they try everything they can to get it off(rotor and hub) no luck. This goes on for 24 hours. They eventually decide they need a special puller they don't have, that will take about a week to get.

So they put it back together and comp me the price of the rear brakes and alignment for having the truck 24 hours.

I go to pick it up, the parking brake doesn't work.

that's all. No questions, just bitching.

They have it back on the rack.

Another shop is going to do it for me for 2 hours labor.

they are letting me bring in my own bought after market parts. So there is a little savings there.

if they can't get it off with air tools, I'm not getting it off at home. The other shop does a bunch of dodge work.

<sigh>
they really are a good tire shop, but I'll never let them touch anything else again.

 

Yeah, front rotors are staked on from the back. A singularly stupid design. Makes a brake job into a nightmare.

 

Ok, I'm good and frustrated now. I got it 2 miles from tire place. Front wheels have burning smell. It shimmies on and off around 30 mph (I thought it was cruddy okie roads at first).

I think they broke the bearing trying to remove it.

 

Entirely possible. Damaged it at the very least. Replace both front rotors and bearings........

 

 

That oughta do it.

 

OK - new rotors, pads, bearings up front. New shoes in back.

Also - new tires all the way around.

Just to review sequence of events:

1) I took them it in for 4 new tires - 285/75/16 (same size as before) - same brand tires as before. Just needed to replace the 6 year old tires that were on her before a road trip.

2) had them inpsect the brakes while it was up in the air. Rear shoes were thin (not suprised) front pads seemed relatively new - but rotors were thin.
The rotors were not a priority to me, but they quoted me $100 per rotor to replace, the parts are $60 per rotor, so for $40 per rotor I was glad to let someone else fight them off - I've got some rust back there.

They have the truck 24 hours before giving up - "we can't get them off - we are putting it back together - we aren't charging you for the rear brakes which we did - We are so sorry to have the truck this long and not get them off - you are fine driving it, but you will need to take it to dodge and maybe they can get it off"

I call the dealer - who actually worked with me pretty well - basically they said "look - if it's really that bad to get it off, it's going to be a couple hours labor, but - since I don't have easy access to these parts - you can bring me after market parts - and that will still likely end up saving you money over what I would have had to charge you for parts.

NAPA parts were indeed likely cheaper.

Anyway - so I made an appt with dealership for a few days later.

3) I went and picked up truck from tire place...about 2 miles from tire place at about 30-40MPH the vehicle started really shaking in a new way. I got it to the dealership straight away.

My thinking is tire place damaged the bearing trying to bang it off, or whatever the hell else they did. I tell the dealership as much.

They replaced the rotors bearings, and since they were in their - pads - with parts I bought at NAPA (rotors $55, bearing hubs $150 - yeah, dodge parts would have been a fortune in comparison).

They said they test drove it and everything seemed fine. I drive it home...at speeds from 30-40MPH - WHEN I BRAKE - I get shaking in the truck. Not pulsating pedal...the truck shakes.

The problem does not occur if I am braking at 15-20MPH. Only if I brake from 30MPH or above...which likely means - only when I brake somewhat 'hard'.

Once the shaking has started(say I'm going 40MPH and slowing for an upcoming turn) it seems to keep shaking - until I come to a complete stop and start going again.

I'm still experimenting with it - but I'm pretty confident I can make it shake pretty much everytime I get it up to 30-40MPH and brake from there.

As I say it out loud...calipers come to mind...but I would love some input.

 

Is the whole truck shaking? Do you feel it thru the pedal? Seat? Steering wheel? Pedal feel good? No excessive travel? Not right at the top either??

I would be tempted to pull the rear drums, and see if the tire place didn't put the shoes in backwards.... the short pad goes to the FRONT.

 

The whole truck shakes. Like you are driving on a crappy road.

 

You feel it in your seat.

the pedal feels...different not bad, but different.

one more item to put on here. When I first picked up the truck from hibdon (tire place) the e brake didnt work ...I noticed before leaving the parking lot. They had to put it back up and adjust it. I've been going to these guys for tires for years. Never had them touch anything else (and never will again).