From one problem straight to another!!
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Grand Champion
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,041
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From: Gilbert, Arizona
From one problem straight to another!!
This really has not been my week. The other day my fuel pump croaked on me, today its my brakes....
Driving around at any speed the truck drives smooth (well about as smooth as our trucks will drive) but the second you hit the brakes to slow down I get this shaking like Im driving on a washboard road. They have had this high pitch squeel to them for about the last 2 weeks however they still have a solid 3/8 - 1/4 of an inch of pad on all 4 pads and there is only about 20k on the truck as of now. I went out and checked the rotors and they're nice and smooth, they dont look warped from what I could tell and since I dont have a mic I cant truely check them to see if they really are or not but from what I can see and feel nothing looks out of place. I did notice though that my front driver side wheel seems to be getting very hot around the center cap (the dodge symbol on the rims) and when I feel the same spot on the other wheels they are nice and cool, could that be part of the problem???? Anyone have any suggestions?
Driving around at any speed the truck drives smooth (well about as smooth as our trucks will drive) but the second you hit the brakes to slow down I get this shaking like Im driving on a washboard road. They have had this high pitch squeel to them for about the last 2 weeks however they still have a solid 3/8 - 1/4 of an inch of pad on all 4 pads and there is only about 20k on the truck as of now. I went out and checked the rotors and they're nice and smooth, they dont look warped from what I could tell and since I dont have a mic I cant truely check them to see if they really are or not but from what I can see and feel nothing looks out of place. I did notice though that my front driver side wheel seems to be getting very hot around the center cap (the dodge symbol on the rims) and when I feel the same spot on the other wheels they are nice and cool, could that be part of the problem???? Anyone have any suggestions?
Rookie
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
From: Oxford, MS
RE: From one problem straight to another!!
IMHO it sounds like the rotors are warped. I've had that exact feeling on my old car before and that's what it turned out to be. Can you visibly see the front-end sway from one side to another when braking?
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Grand Champion
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,041
Likes: 0
From: Gilbert, Arizona
RE: From one problem straight to another!!
Nope. In fact I can let go of the steering wheel while braking and it stays straight till it stops. It just feels like its going over a wash board road. and it just started this morning cause it was fine yesterday (well at least the brakes were lol)
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Grand Champion
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,041
Likes: 0
From: Gilbert, Arizona
RE: From one problem straight to another!!
so assuming it is the rotors which it more than likely is would it be better to go out and get the factory replacement rotors for $42.99 that come with a 3month warranty or go with the performance rotors which would run $84.99 but have a 1yr warranty? Also how long can the brakes and rotors last if they are warped? I ask because I'm heading up to the mountains tomorrow after work and I wont really have any time between now and sunday to work on them? Would it be alright to head up to mountains with my brakes as they are now or is this problem going to cause dire affects in the next few hundred miles?
All Star
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 878
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From: Ann Arbor, MI
RE: From one problem straight to another!!
As many know, the time to decide on when you brakes are worn, is when the pad material is less than or equal to the thickness of the backing plate (the steel the pad is bonded or riveted to). I'm amazed your brakes are that worn in 20,000 miles. I have 30,000 miles on my 2005, and they have twice that. You must do a lot of city driving... or brake torqueing. I'd have to guess that your rotors are warped. In that case, I'd go and buy all new rotors and pads for the front even if your brakes are causing the shaking. just because pads have the tendency to disintegrate when they get that low.
Rookie
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 75
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From:
RE: From one problem straight to another!!
I agree that it sounds like the rotors. Must be a Dodge/Chrysler thing, because we have had issues with the brakes on our Chrysler minivan. We have also had A/C problems with the van, which also seem to be shared by the Ram's (especially the Mega Cabs). With my Chevy's, it has always been idler arms, crappy fuel filters, and starters.
Record Breaker
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,192
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From:
RE: From one problem straight to another!!
If you do a search, you'll see plenty of problems with warping brakes. While I have never experienced it on my Ram, there are many here that have. I suggest you go with aftermarket rotors. Why would you want to get a OE set that will end up warping on you again. Brembo makes a good alternative to OE, for about the same price. I know that tirerack.com carries them. The powerslot rotors are also a popular rotor.
As a side note, if you want less brake dust, ceramic pads are the way to go.
As a side note, if you want less brake dust, ceramic pads are the way to go.
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RE: From one problem straight to another!!
Truckin151,
The hot is something to deal with immediately. It could be a pad dragging as in seized caliper piston, or potentially something else. Pull the caps for a day and drive it as you normally would, then check the temps right at the bearing hubs, and get a sense for how hot the rotors are. Look for any metallic discoloration, as in bluing or yellowing of any metals (indicates excessive heat). Before you get caught up in buying new rotors and pads, you might consider just pulling them apart and cleaning them with a good brake cleaner. You may have picked up some kinda goo off the road, that could cause the chattering. If you do opt to pull the calipers and clean everything up first, give the wheel hubs a good tugging back and forth to see if they are at all loose, could indicate bearing failure. You're still under warranty, so nows the time to get it taken care of.
The hot is something to deal with immediately. It could be a pad dragging as in seized caliper piston, or potentially something else. Pull the caps for a day and drive it as you normally would, then check the temps right at the bearing hubs, and get a sense for how hot the rotors are. Look for any metallic discoloration, as in bluing or yellowing of any metals (indicates excessive heat). Before you get caught up in buying new rotors and pads, you might consider just pulling them apart and cleaning them with a good brake cleaner. You may have picked up some kinda goo off the road, that could cause the chattering. If you do opt to pull the calipers and clean everything up first, give the wheel hubs a good tugging back and forth to see if they are at all loose, could indicate bearing failure. You're still under warranty, so nows the time to get it taken care of.
ORIGINAL: truckin151
This really has not been my week. The other day my fuel pump croaked on me, today its my brakes....
Driving around at any speed the truck drives smooth (well about as smooth as our trucks will drive) but the second you hit the brakes to slow down I get this shaking like Im driving on a washboard road. They have had this high pitch squeel to them for about the last 2 weeks however they still have a solid 3/8 - 1/4 of an inch of pad on all 4 pads and there is only about 20k on the truck as of now. I went out and checked the rotors and they're nice and smooth, they dont look warped from what I could tell and since I dont have a mic I cant truely check them to see if they really are or not but from what I can see and feel nothing looks out of place. I did notice though that my front driver side wheel seems to be getting very hot around the center cap (the dodge symbol on the rims) and when I feel the same spot on the other wheels they are nice and cool, could that be part of the problem???? Anyone have any suggestions?
This really has not been my week. The other day my fuel pump croaked on me, today its my brakes....
Driving around at any speed the truck drives smooth (well about as smooth as our trucks will drive) but the second you hit the brakes to slow down I get this shaking like Im driving on a washboard road. They have had this high pitch squeel to them for about the last 2 weeks however they still have a solid 3/8 - 1/4 of an inch of pad on all 4 pads and there is only about 20k on the truck as of now. I went out and checked the rotors and they're nice and smooth, they dont look warped from what I could tell and since I dont have a mic I cant truely check them to see if they really are or not but from what I can see and feel nothing looks out of place. I did notice though that my front driver side wheel seems to be getting very hot around the center cap (the dodge symbol on the rims) and when I feel the same spot on the other wheels they are nice and cool, could that be part of the problem???? Anyone have any suggestions?
