I have a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan, SXT, with the 4.0 liter, 6 speed.
This model came with the 17" wheel standard. 90% of the time only one
person is in the van, the rest of the time 2 persons.
Brake wear seems to be out of control compared to previously owned
1997 Caravan ES, 3.8.

At 11989 Front pads were 8+mm
At 14710 Front pads were 2 mm
Rear pads were 6+mm
Front brakes were replaced.
At 14770 Front pads were 7mm
Rear pads were 6mm
At 18842 Front pads were 7mm
Rear pads were 2mm

Does this look normal for the wear?
I was under the impression that the front pads did something like
70% of the braking. On my last Caravan, I was getting like 50K on the
rears. The 18842 figures were provided by the (5 Star) Dodge
Dealer's "World Class Inspection" when I took it in for 18K service
(oil/filter/rotate tires). The other numbers came from previous "world
class inspection reports from the same dealer's service department.
It just seems that the brakes are going much faster than they should.
I am NOT a left foot braker. On long downgrades, I downshift the
transmission into 4th or whatever is needed to maintain appropriate
speed, and only touching the brake once in a while. I follow good
driving practices, no excessive speed, slowing by taking my foot off
the gas when I see slow traffic ahead, or a light getting ready to
change.
I have NEVER discovered that I was driving with the parking brake
engaged.
Could I possibly have a rear parking brake that's not totally
releasing?
Could there be a F/R balance valve that's not doing it's job?
Any other suggestions?
This is getting expensive at $300 an axle for brakes.

 

I'm going to say that's excessive.

Here's a link that might help.
http://www.allpar.com/fix/index.html
Go to the repair section and scroll down a couple of sections to the "Brake Repair" section.

Here's another link to study.

http://www.stoptech.com/tech_info/te...e_papers.shtml


The brake pads on my wifes 07 are the dustiest pads I've ever seen on a vehicle bar none.These will be replaced with something a lot cleaner as soo as they wear out but the're holding up pretty well so far.

 

I have fixed a couple 08 brakes. I felt both failed way prematurely. Rears went out first on both vans with 20k on one van and 26k on the other van. Both vans looked to have about 50% left on the front. About a month or 2 later both vans needed front brakes. first van was at 23,000 and the 2nd was at 30,000. I feel that's rediculous. There has to be something wrong with these vans to eat brakes that bad.

 

I have a 2008 Grand Caravan with a little under 32000 miles. I drove it to Austin yesterday and started to hear a grind that became progressively worse from the front/right wheel. I inspected that brake and saw some wear grooves in the rotor. I got the van home and then today took it to Firestone since the dealership was closed. When they took off the wheels we discovered that the driver/front piston in the caliber had all but exploded. Large pieces were were completely broken and the only thing holding it all together and keeping the fluid in was the rubber seal and dust boot. In short the left rotor is grooved through from the premature wear on the brakes and the right rotor is good but the entire caliper needs to be replaced. Feel free to google Grand Caravan problems and you will find that the brakes are the most complained about failure. My situation and the ones I read on this thread are common amongst Grand Caravan owners. I will never buy another Dodge if this is the way they are heading.

 

The dealer installed 3 new sets in my 08 Caravan before 12,000 mi, because they were dragging, wearing out pads and cutting mileage. Obviously the calipers were sticking so finally they took my advice and installed new ones, which solved the problem so far at 28K. However, I noticed today that they seemed pretty warm, so I'll start watching them closely again.

 

there is a recall or at least a SB on that exact issue. Cant remember which . Check with dealer.

 

All you have to do is ask.

THIS BULLETIN SUPERSEDES SERVICE BULLETIN 05-006-08, DATED DECEMBER
09, 2008, WHICH SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM YOUR FILES. THIS IS A COMPLETE
REVISION.
SUBJECT:
Brake Front Pad Lining Life
OVERVIEW:
This bulletin involves installing new brake linings and replacing both brake rotors as
required.
MODELS:
2008 (RT) Town & Country/Grand Caravan
NOTE: This bulletin applies to vehicles equipped with brake sales code BRE and/or
BRG only.
SYMPTOM/CONDITION:
Front brake pads may exhibit lining life complaints.
DIAGNOSIS:
1. Remove both front tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to the service information outlined
in DealerCONNECT>TechCONNECT>Service Information tab>22 - Tires and
Wheels>Removal
2. Using a Brake Lining Thickness Gauge or Brake Pad/Shoe Gauge, measure brake
pad thickness.
3. Perform the repair procedure if the brake pad usable material measured at its thinnest
point measures 4mm (0.1575 inches) or less.
4. If the brake pad assemblies do not require replacement, reassemble the vehicle. Refer
to the service information outlined in DealerCONNECT>TechCONNECT>Service
Information tab>22 - Tires and Wheels>Installation.
NUMBER: 05-003-10
GROUP: Brakes
DATE: August 12, 2010
PARTS REQUIRED:
Qty. Part No. Description
AR (1) CNM2X250AA Front Brake Pad Kit - Fixed Brake Pedal (Sales Code
XA8)
AR (1) V1013152AB Front Brake Pad Kit - Power Adjustable Brake Pedal
(Sales Code XAP or XAM)
1 CNM2X252AA Front Brake Rotor Kit (Contains 2 Rotors)
REPAIR PROCEDURE:
1. Remove the front brake pads. Refer to the service information outlined in
DealerCONNECT>TechCONNECT>Service Information tab>05 - Brakes> 05 -
Brakes, Base, Brake>Hydraulic/Mechanical>PADS, Brake, Front>Removal.
2. Remove any clips retaining the brake rotor to the wheel mounting studs.
3. Slide the brake rotor off the hub and bearing.
4. Clean the hub face to remove any dirt or corrosion where the rotor mounts.
5. Perform Step 2 through 4 on the opposite side of the vehicle.
6. Install brake rotors (p/n CNM2X252AA) over the studs on the hub and bearing on both
sides of the vehicle.
NOTE: Rotor replacement is recommended when switching to this type brake pad.
Standard brake service procedures apply thereafter.
7. Install new pads (p/n CNM2X250AA - Fixed Brake Pedal or p/n V1013152AB -
Adjustable Brake Pedal). Refer to the service information outlined in
DealerCONNECT>TechCONNECT>Service Information tab>05 - Brakes> 05 -
Brakes, Base, Brake>Hydraulic/Mechanical>PADS, Brake, Front>Installation.

 

I bought my Dodge Grand Caravan new in 2008, was sick of fixing my old one. As soon as 1 month I was going back and froth to the dealership. Many "defective" parts, and as all you state also, serious problems with my brakes. I have had to replace the brakes, some times brakes calipers too. Always a seized caliper. Dealership told me right up front "oh these cans are known for this" oh, nice tell me after I buy it! The last time I replaced them a few months ago, one side was gone, and the other side was fine....When I went to the dealership to get calipers, they told me now the problem is the sliders the push the caliper in a and out. Wow, after 5 years they just dicovered that......its only been a few months with the new brakes and calipers, and its already starting to stick! NEVER again will I buy a Dodge Van.