Hi folks,
As of late my 2004 1500 4x4 brakes have been squealing,I have not pulled the wheels but the rotors look good as best as I can see.
I have heard of others having the same issues but have not heard of a fix?
Any thoughts?

 

You know my brakes are squealing too, and I have an 05 2wd with only 6500 miles on it. I have yet to take the tires off to see what is causing the squeal.

 

The most likely culprit is a build up of brake dust. Just get some wheel cleaner and spray it all over the brakes, caliper, etc. Then blast out all of that nasty brake dust with a stream of water. Also, don't spray cold water on hot brakes!

 

Yea my right (pass) front has the squeel. I think I will take a look at that before the snow starts coming. Doesn't really bother me much. As long as it stops, a squeel isn't the worst in the world. Better then the breaks in my Chevelle. They make a right turn for you on their own. I have all teh stuff to fix it (rotors/calipers/bearings/lines) but am just too darn lazy.

Chris

 

Depending on the mileage and wear of the brake pads, you don't want a true squeel to go on to long because it will go from a squeel to a grind. The squeel on higher mileage cars is the wear tab letting you know you'll have to change out the pads/rotors soon. But on the low mileage example above, I stay with my initial impression of built up brake dust.

 

I will give the break cleaner a try,I have only 30.000 miles all highway.

 

Dodges are known for short lived brake pads. They use a softer compound so the "MASS" weight of the vehicle stops better, but it wears the pads out faster. If you opt to replace the pads, I strongly suggest ceramics!!! They stop very well, don't leave much in the way of brake dust, and they don't fade. They are a little rough on rotors though.

 

Bigcat, I'd definitely pull the wheels off to see how much pad you have left, b/c as Gone Fishin mentioned, the pads are relatively soft and wear rather quick.

Many here have had good luck with the Akebono ceramics and powerslot rotors. Brembo also makes a plain (not slotted or drilled) rotor for the Rams.

 

Same here, only 30k. I didn't think of the dust. I drove it for 6 mos, with almost no dust (guess I'm just getting old) and no squeal. I let my kid have it for 10 days to move, came back with the front wheels full of dust and a squeal at low speed stops when hot.

I'd think Brakleen would work pretty good as well.

 

Be careful with the brakleen. Don't get it on your wheels!

When I wash the truck, I spray extra wheel cleaner in and around the brakes. Then as I go to spray them off, I direct a good steady stream of water at the brakes to wash away the accumulated brake dust. Again, don't spray cold water on hot brakes.