Hello all -

I've got a 2013 Grand Caravan SXT that I purchased from a Dodge dealership a couple months ago. The pads and rotors were changed by the dealership just before we purchased it, and I confirmed their condition a couple hours ago (near pristine).

Starting Friday after my wife took the van to our usual drive-thru car wash, she noticed noises coming from the front end while braking. Initially it was during any braking, but then it subsided to only when under heavy braking (should be short of ABS kicking in, but to be honest I've not yet had an instance of ABS kicking in).

The noise is difficult to explain, and I cannot tell for certain if it's coming from the front driver or passenger side. My best description would be a rapid chattering/grinding sound. Minimal vibration is transferred through the pedal, but you can feel it in the floorboard a bit.

The rotors are free of visible rust, grooves, and warping. The pads are clear of debris, cracks, etc... This is our third Grand Caravan, but this is the first time I've heard this type of a sound.

Any idea of what this sound may be?

Thanks in advance

 

My guess is that you have a rotor that is warped but not visibly so. I say this because you said the symptoms first started after the car went through a car wash. It's also possible you have excessive rotor runout caused by either a bad rotor or a tech failing to clean the hub surface before installing the rotor.

 

Cyleightor,

I'm sorry to learn of your brake noise concern. With the ability to demonstrate the noise on a regular basis, a diagnosis will pinpoint the root cause.