2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Front Brake Pad Replacement

[rogerblind]

A couple of weeks ago, I started a thread for help on installing front brake pads. Thanks to all who responded, especially the references to Sam Peterson. I bought my Carbon Metallic pads from him, and dealing with Sam was a pleasure. The new pads seem great so far. This was my first brake pad installation, and I thought it might help others to know that the Mopar shop manual seems to be incorrect in how it tells you to remove the callipers. It says to pull the calliper up and off at the top. In fact, that only works on the passenger side. On the driver's side, it's the bottom that pulls out and up. Since I started on the driver's side, it took a while until I realized the problem. Also, I noted considerably more wear on the inside passenger side shoe than any of the others, although I have never had any pulling to either side. Any one have any ideas what could cause that?

 

[lschultz]

You got questions ask the Brake Man Sam -- email address removed --

 

[ISBPilot]

similar problem.............

Roger,



I getting my second set of front pads today. The original set seamed to wear fine, this set gave no indication of uneven wear either. Until the front passenger side started grinding. Checked them and the driver's side looks fine, but the inside of the passenger's side is chewed up and has grooves in the rotor. No pulling of any kind until the grinding started.



Todd

 

[WyoJim]

rogerblind... . Thanks for the one up on the manual.

I have my pads ordered and the information will be handy I am sure.

 

[tmacc]

Keep an eye on the CM pads. I found that they wore incredibly quick. I went w/ Raybestos this time and they perform as good as the CM IMO and seem to be lasting well. They were a few bucks more in price and you don't get the new slider pin boots and grease that Sam sends w/ the CM pads. HTH

Tom

 

[rogerblind]

tmacc. I am surprised by your input that the CM pads wear very quickly. I bought them based on things I read in this forum which indicated them to be the ultimate pads. Hope I didn't waste my time installing them. I will keep a close eye on wear. Anyone else have any input here?

 

[illflem]

CM pads will last much longer than stock. Problem is when you use harder, longer wearing pads they often take the rotor with them as they wear...

 

[CoreyPerez]

I just did the brake system on my truck to include upgrading the rear wheel cyl's to the 1ton model. I bought Performance Friction Pads from Autozone. What are the thoughts on these? I'll keep you posted with any negative aspects. I have noticed that the little drive around the block a couple times did take a lot off from the start, but I imagine that the rough surface of the rotors would cause that.



Corey

 

[Blakers]

I have the pads from auto zone and I like them - they seem to be wearing very well, with the excetion of one that rides on a rotor that was quite scored. That rotor is cleaning up so the next set of pads will probably last longer.



I think they have a lifetime warrantee.



Blake

 

[RedRam1]

Blakers,



At ~20K miles, my OEM pads still look almost new on all four corners ('01. 5 truck). However, my wife has a '98 Grand Caravan that eats the h@ll out of brake pads. I have lost track of how many sets she has gone thru in 110K miles, but I do remember the various brands I have tried. They include: Dodge OEM, Raybestos, Repco, Advance Auto parts cheepies, and Performance Friction from Autozone.

She is currently on the second set of Performance Friction pads. They have gone slightly longer (~15K vs. ~10K), and worn slightly more evenly than any of the others... nothing to brag about, but the best I've found.

Blake is correct, Autozone will replace them for free, no questions asked. I don't know how much, if any, of this is transferrable to our trucks, but I will probably try a set of Performance Frictions on mine when the time comes.

 

[tmacc]

Originally posted by illflem

CM pads will last much longer than stock. Problem is when you use harder, longer wearing pads they often take the rotor with them as they wear...

Bill,

I checked them at a 5K tire rotation and they looked good. I had a shop do the next rotation and neglected to check the pads. At 17K they were into the rotor. The right outboard pad was a little more worn that the others, but I've never had a pair go this quick. I got 31K out of the OEM, so I thought I had plenty of time to keep an eye on them. Live and learn.

Tom

 

[sam peterson]

tmacc---sorry to hear about your problem with the early wear. this is not the normal thing for carbon pads to do. the biggest benifits of carbons is the longer wear and very little wear on the rotors. If you had one or two pads that wore quicker than the rest it is an indication of a problem other than the pads. I would like to see the pads that you took out. I would gladly send you another set. I have 54000 miles on a set pulling trailers up to 14000# with auto trans & no e-brake. they still have 35% left and I don't baby them. ----Sam

 

[Jeff Knight]

On my 95 truck with a 5sp and 4. 10 gears I got 93000 out of my OEM brakes. I put AutoZones pads on and got 92000 out of thoses. I hope my 02 truck dones as good. Jeff

 

[RedRam1]

My '01. 5 truck has two piston, floating calipers up front. I can't be sure, but it seems like I heard siomewhere that the front calipers were changed around '99 or '00.

Does anyone know the history of these parts on the 2nd gen trucks?

 

[tmacc]

Sam,

I appreciate the offer and I probably should have contacted you, but I just thought this was normal wear for CM pads. Unfortunately, I did not keep the CM pads. It was one of those deals where I could see(and feel) the wear on the rotor and bought the first pads I could find. This was a several months ago. Just to clarify the wear issue. All four pads were in need of replacement. The other three pads were down to about 1/8" or less. The same pad on the OEM set was worn a little more than the others as well, so I won't dispute your comment about other problems such as a slightly sticky caliper, maybe. However as noted above they were all worn out. The truck does not pull when braking. I did not post this to slam the CM pads or your service and I don't think you took it that way. Just posting my experiences w/ them. At the time the pads were not manfactured w/ "tattletails" to let one know when the pad was getting thin. I knew this, but it was winter and I just did not check them as often as I normally would. Again, I thought I had plenty of time to check them. I did use the grease and anti-seize as well as the new slider boots that came with the set you sent me. I did a moderately amount of towing in this period. Maybe, when the next set is worn out, I'll have a brake professional replace them and check the calipers. The rear shoes could have been out of adjustment. I had them checked when I had the rotors turned. I didn't think to ask if they were out though when I picked it up.



Jeff, I use to get at least 60k out of my PSD front pads. It was also a 5sd w/ 4. 10. A manual truck is always going to get more pad life than a auto. Just one of the sacrifices one makes to drive an auto transmission.

 

[WadePatton]

How low can you go?

I measured the friction material thickness on my pads yesterday. What's the wear limit? I asked this in another thread--no reply.



And I called that number for Sam Peterson to get some pads--no answer.

 

[illflem]

Wade, I personally wouldn't go below 1/8" before replacement if it's daily driver. Sam's number is only good 8-5 Pacific time M-F.

 

[rogerblind]

Wade. I asked the same question in another thread. Sam replied that you should not let them wear below the thickness of the steel backing plate, which is about 1/8 inch. The problem in my case was that I was watching the outside pad on the driver's side, but unknown to me the inside pad on the passenger side was wearing much faster, and I didn't realize it. I think several others have reported a similar wear pattern. Bottom line is watching thickness of outside pads only may give a false sense of security.

 

[WadePatton]

okay then

I've got . 210 and . 250 on the inside pads. 1/8 is . 125 so I've got time to find Sam.



I called during regular hours yesterday. Mebbe I'll get him today.

 

[John Berger]

I have over 77K miles on my truck and I'm still running the original set of pads. They looked good last month when I rotated the tires. I also towed a TT quite a bit and now I've got a heavier 5'ver. I'm going to check them before my next long trip.