Hi all,

My brakes are making a distinct clicking noise which sounds like it's coming from the passenger side rear wheel and sometimes from the front wheel,

What could be causing this?

I have not taken the wheels off to inspect it, but i never in my life heard brakes clicking, they either made scraping or grinding noises, neither of which the van is making.

thanks in advance !

 

when was the last time the brakes were changed?

 

It's been awhile at least 4 years, i will have to take a look when i get some time off, thought i would just pick everyone's brain first .

 

thinking it could be the warning shims

 

So the warning shims click rather than squeal to warn you they are in need of replacement?

 

Here is a TSB. I don't know if this would help.
SYMPTOM/CONDITION:
A cyclic swoosh, squawk, squeak or grunt noise from the rear of the vehicle during medium to light brake application on vehicles equipped with rear drum brakes. The noise can be related to the speed at which the tire turns (one sound per revolution of the tire).

NOTE: THIS REPAIR HAS NO EFFECT ON THE REAR BRAKE MOAN OR HOWL NOISE THAT MAY OCCUR ON SOME NS-VEHICLES AT THE END OF THE STOP. THE REAR BRAKE MOAN OR HOWL NOISE IS COVERED IN A SEPARATE TSB.

DIAGNOSIS:
If the vehicle operator describes the subject Symptom/Condition test drive the vehicle to verify. Perform the Repair Procedure if the sympton/condition is experienced during the test drive.

Quantity Part No. Description
1 04883068 Lubricant, Wheel Cylinder
AR (6) 04238721 Plug, Backing Plate
AR (1) 04318025 Sealer, RTV



REPAIR PROCEDURE:

This bulletin involves the application of lubricant to the rear wheel cylinder components.

Raise vehicle on suitable hoist and remove rear wheels.
Remove rear brake drums.
Remove both rear brake shoes from backing plate and clean the area around the wheel cylinder boots.
Peel back edge of both wheel cylinder boots to separate them from groove in casting. Remove boots and attached pistons from wheel cylinder.
CAUTION: THE WHEEL CYLINDER LUBRICANT SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR ANY PURPOSE IN THE VEHICLE’S BRAKE SYSTEM OTHER THAN AS DESCRIBED IN THIS TSB.

Apply lubricant liberally to surfaces of pistons and inside bore of wheel cylinder without disturbing rubber cup seals. Presence of small amounts of rust visible inside the bore of the wheel cylinder can be ignored provided there is no evidence of leakage of brake fluid past the rubber cup seals. Do not confuse traces of assembly fluid from the factory with brake fluid leakage.
Install pistons and boots to wheel cylinder. Make sure that the boots seal properly onto the casting groove all the way around the wheel cylinder. With your fingers, shuttle pistons back and forth in bore to distribute lubricant. Do not allow the boots to become dislodged from wheel cylinder casting groove.
Install the brake shoes using the procedures outlined in the 1997 Town & Country, Caravan and Voyager Service Manual (Publication No. 81-370-7105) starting on page 5-34.
NOTE: INSURE ALL (3) INSPECTION AND ADJUSTMENT PLUGS (p/n 04238721) ARE PRESENT IN THE BACKING PLATE AND THE WHEEL CYLINDER IS SEALED TO THE BACKING PLATE WITH RTV (p/n 04318025).

Wipe any spilled fluid from the outside of the wheel cylinder, as well as any other brake parts including linings.
Repeat step 2 through 8 for other brake assembly.
Install the brake drums, rear wheels and lower the vehicle.