Hey everybody! I have a slight problem. I have a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 QCSB 4x4. I changed the brake pads on the front end yesterday...I know I did everything right. However today going down my dirt road I would occasionally hear a loud grinding noise from the front. I can't pin point it but it sounds like the drivers side. It doesn't do it on the paved smoother road. I It never made this noise before I worked on it yesterday. It kind of sounds like when you put the wheel back on the threads the noise that makes. I checked to make sure I had tightened the lug nuts all the way. They were a little loose but I tightened them and I still get the noise. I just don't understand why the noise isn't constant. It only does it occasionally even going over bad ruts and bumps, just sometimes, but when it does it's kind of loud. Sorry for a bad description, i'm just a little frustrated that I can't figure this out. Thanks for any help!

 

There may be some grime or something stuck to your rotors, spray em down with some brake cleaner and shine them babies up and see if that helps or cures the problem. Mine were doin something similar to that earlier because I went through some mud and got chit stuck to the rotors.

 

Could try taking it all apart again and re-assembling it. Did you make sure to keep or replace the anti rattle springs (those little metal clips on top and bottom of pad alignment) in there and position them correctly?

 

Thanks a lot...I keep the clips but the bottom clip was slightly bent. Just barely though...could that cause it to be making that loud of a noise though?

 

I mean it kind of sounds like dragging or something but more like a loud grinding.

 

any more ideas?

 

I know you don't want hear it, But I would pull it all apart again to find the problem.

 

I guess I am going to soon as the snow starts melting. I am at a loss...

 

I jacked it up today but I can see nothing wrong at all. Everything is tight and where it is supposed to be. I spun the wheel and tried to push it in side to side or up and down and nothing. It all seems fine. The noise kind of sounds like mud hittin your fenderwells but much more violent. Also I today when I was slowing down i heard a slight noise like a pebble was stuck in my tread. I actully think a rock was stuck in there. But when I rotated the wheel and tire I didnt hear the noise.

 

Wheel bearings maybe?????