2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission front brake pad separation!

[SBall]

While having my mechanic go over our truck in preparation for an Alaska road trip, he noticed what appeared to be brake pad separation on the front disk brakes. He first removed the left pad assemblies and you could actually see light between the friction material and the metal mounting plate. When he removed the right pads, they actually fell apart when removed from the caliper! Our truck is a 2001, (delivered in 2000) with 53000 miles on it, and the front brake pads are the original ones as delivered. Also noteworthy is the fact that there is still . 40" to . 45" of meat left on the pads, due to the assistance of the engine brake. My mechanic said that while rare, he has seen this kind of deterioration on Dodge trucks used in northern climates that are subject to salt road conditions, and in vehicles where the brakes are used lightly. He said that typically the pads wear out long before this kind of separation occurs. I'd be interested in hearing from other TDR members regarding this safety issue, and also like to extend a warning flag to those of use hoping to prolong brake life through the use of engine brakes.

Steve Ball

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

No engine brake here, my front pads got replaced under the 3/36 warranty because of the same exact reason.

 

[Extreme1]

I wear my Performance Friction Carbonmetalic pads out. I have a new set to install now. The last set I put in was in '01 at least 50,000 miles ago. Maybe it's an OEM pad problem?

 

[johncameron]

My 2001 also separated at 80000 miles. It took out the rotor at the same time. I took delivery in july 2000 so I've got an early model. My mechanic told me that he'd seen that before on these trucks. :{

 

[SBall]

Hey guys,

Thanks for chiming in on this issue. While I feel that we shouldn't have to absorb the financial burden of replacing brakes prematurely because of pad separation, what concerns me more, (and should concern Chrysler) are the consequences of pad separation going undetected. I wonder if a loose pad would simply fall out of the caliper or jam against the rotor at speed.

Steve

 

[johnrv4]

I know that fellow member Jtisdale had the same thing happen to his '01 also. I guess that's something else to add to the checklist before vacation.

 

[jtisdale]

Yes, my rear pads went bad at 29k. Still looked new except where the corners had started to seperate from the back plates. I think my fronts are doing the same, now. I first noticed a slight, but irritating squeak that would go away with light brake pedal pressure. I replaced them with the performance frictions. So far so go. Now I just need to do the fronts.

Too bad I bought an exhaust brake to make my pads wear longer and I had to replace them anyways.