Front Brake Pads

[rogerblind]

I have been experiencing an increased problem with brake gabbing when first starting out in the morning. While this has always been a problem, it is getting worse. I checked wear on the front pads (at 39K miles) and have decided I don't know when they need replaced. They still have about 1/4 inch left. How do I tell when they need replaced, other than wait for the tell-tale noise? Does the taper on the top edge of the pad indicate the minimum thickness before replacement? Any suggestions as to the best brand/type of replacement pads? Many thanks!

 

[lschultz]

I have had the brake grabbing on mine too. I notice it more on a humid morning or after it has been setting a few days but after I use them once its gone. I have 50000+ on the originals. We just replaced the pads on sons 99 yesterday evening(106000) they could of gone longer but we had time son we did it. Got the Carbomet Pads from BRAKE GURU Sam Peterson a while back. Ordered some for mine too will replace them later. Give Sam a call 360 357-4958 8:30-5:30 or email -- email address removed --

I think there about 43. 00 everything you need is in the box. The ones we put on sons do make a difference. :--)

 

[illflem]

Sounds like you are just experiencing rotor/drum rusting while parked due to high humidity. The only cure I know of is to use the brakes to clean it off. With 1/4" left your pads are about halfway gone, I'd start thinking about replacement. Sam Peterson's are the best deal going.

 

[Shooter]

Last 2 years while in Tacoma for several months at a time I had the same problem. This spring ( Jan. ) I installed Carbon Met pads. We just returned Fri. from a six week stint ( I think it did NOT rain for 4 days ) in Tacoma and did not experience the severe brake grab on first brake application at all this trip. I think it is brake pad composition rather than rotor rust. MHO

 

[Dane]

I've had the same thing on several trucks. I don't think it's anything wrong, just a reaction to moisture. My Toyota 4x4 did the same after washing or sitting camping as does the Dodge. My old 65 Cheby hot rod pickup was real scary when it had drums on the front. If you washed it and got water in only one of the drums it would turn VERY hard in the direction if the wet drum on the first application. :--)

 

[JohnMcIntyre]

Dashboard idiot light.....?

Originally posted by rogerblind

..... I checked wear on the front pads (at 39K miles) and have decided I don't know when they need replaced. They still have about 1/4 inch left. How do I tell when they need replaced, other than wait for the tell-tale noise? Many thanks!

Waiting for the tell-tale noise to occur is not the ideal way to detect when it's time to change front disc brake pads. I always make a point of checking the disc brake pads condition during tires' rotation. When you're down to 1/4 of an inch meat left, you should really be ready to swap them for new. You don't have a sigfile showing, but it may be worthwhile checking your user manual for dashboard indication (aka idiot light) which alerts you to a marginal condition for brake pads service life remaining.....

 

[BillGotthelf]

John most of the time that idiot light on the dash won't tell you when you need new pads. After a problem with my cruise control on my 96 required a trip to the stealer they told me I needed new brakes. At what they were cherging I could make a coupla house payments so I told them I'd do them myself. After checking brakes ( idiot light would come on and stay on as long as rpm was at idle) I realized the stealer (5 star stealer too) could not of even checked brakes as front and rear were 80%. A week later cruise control quit again-returned to stealer and they replaced more vac lines ( 2 trips $230/$380)-now all is well, except my wallet. :-{}

 

[sam peterson]

rogerblind---as a rule of thumb for pad replacement---when the pad material gets down to the thickness of the steel plate it is attached to it is time to think about replacement----Sam

 

[radixr]

Question for Sam

Sam,



I'm replacing my pads, not because they are worn out, but because they have separated from the steel backing plate. Is there anything I can do to the replacement pads to prevent this from recurring?:{ :{

 

[sam peterson]

radixr---I have seen this happen many times, usually with pads that are not able to handle the heat buildup. There is no way of preventing this except to use a very high quallity pad. carbon mets are the best for all applications. ---Sam

 

[radixr]

Thanks, Sam.

 

[GFoley]

My truck pulls to the left when I apply the brakes, press harder, turn harder.

I just came back from a 1700 mi road trip and was almost always holding steering wheel between 12 and 1 o'clock to go straight down the road. Front tire pressure at 60, rear at 50. Front tires are wearing on outside and inside much faster than the centers on both sides. A Dodge mech said the wear was normal on a 4WD because of the brake system. I don't think so and need your suggestions. I just replaced the rear brake shoes and the wheel cylinders before we went on trip, no difference before and after.

After a bit of consideration I have reached these as possibilities:



It could be:

1 - sticking calipers, (which side?)

2 - alignment

3 - track bar

4 - all of the above



What are your suggestions?

 

[illflem]

What fixed my pull was replacing the trackbar, steering stabilizer and adjusting the rear brakes. The rear self adjusters are notorious for not always working. If I manually adjust the rears at every oil change the rig will stop straight hands free. Usually I can feel it just start to pull right before it's time to adjust.