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Sephiroth
Dodge Dakota
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3/16/2004
16:26:42

Subject: Brake Problems...
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OK, My front brakes are disc (naturally) and have fairly new pads on them. However, after hearing a slight scraping noise ont he ome stretch to work this morning, I decided to pull the front wheels off before going in. Glad I did!

Somehow, the damn pads on the outside of the front wheels have manage to slip up on the top/front of the device and rub against my rim. I have these nice brake-dust covered rims, then a shiny metal streak where the damn things rubbed for about a mile. I pulled out my tool-kit and popped them back down, but when I turned into my parking-lot at home, I heard it again! The damn things won't stay down.

Now I noticed one thing that was obvious. On the right brake, there is a small arm-bar that is shaped almost like an 'L', that comes out from the middle of the pad and down to the back/bottom of the pad. On the right side, this 'arm' is under the flat piece (on the rotor side) and on the driver-side it's on the top! What the HELL did those f***heads do to my brakes when they put my new tires on Sunday?! I've NEVER had my brakes rub like this! Now I have two f***ing shiny round things that could easily become grooves if this persists! I am off tomorrow but work Thursday, so I gotta' fix this FAST. Any suggestions?



Sephiroth
Dodge Dakota
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3/16/2004
19:33:08

RE: Brake Problems...
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OK, I just spent two hours working on the right front brake. I pulled the assembly apart (as if I was going to change pads) and discovered that while the outside pad was half-gone, the inside pad looks new. What the HECK could cause such a thing?

After carefully sliding the brake-pads back into place (inner one back into the caliper, outer one snaps into those two slots), I put the thing back on my rotor. Now I see that no matter what I do, the outer-pad sticks up on both ends and will hit the rim. It's like the caliper is mounted at an angle, but the bolts go in smoothly and tighten nicely!

Can anybody give me some input on this? All I can figure out is to somehow re-drill the damn bolt-threads at a slight angle so it angles the caliper-assembly down on the outside, but that's ludicrous!



99DAK
Dodge Dakota
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3/17/2004
00:17:52

RE: Brake Problems...
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In case you didn't already know, the left and right inner pads are interchangeable, but the outer pads are not. It kinda sounds like somebody put two left outer pads on your truck. That little arm/bar that you describe should be toward the bottom on both sides. Are both sides doing this scraping, or just the right? Might be time to just go buy a new set of pads and start over. Either way, good luck.



Sephiroth
Dodge Dakota
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3/17/2004
12:25:07

RE: Brake Problems...
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No, they're the right pads. I know because I put them on myself. This never happened until Saturday (not Sunday as previously stated) when I had my new tires put on. I am starting to think they somehow bent something, because when both the inner and outer pads are clipped onto the caliper assembly properly, the outer one sticks up about 1/4"-1/2" on both ends! That's what rubs on my rim. I'm going to go down and continue working on it this afternoon, and the first thing I'll do is take a picture and post it. Maybe I'm not seeing something.



99DAK
Dodge Dakota
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3/17/2004
12:43:23

RE: Brake Problems...
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The only sense I can make of it from your description is that they did something to bend the caliper - and thus the pins - outward from the hub. But if that were the case you'd already know it since you've already removed the pins. So I'm totally confused. Awaiting photo...



Sephiroth
Dodge Dakota
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3/17/2004
12:47:26

RE: Brake Problems...
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Sorry, ran across an AMS thread here and had to read/post. I'll shower up and go get you that picture. It should be online in 45min or less.



99DAK
Dodge Dakota
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3/17/2004
12:48:43

RE: Brake Problems...
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Just thought of something. Don't know what year your truck is, but on mine there are rubber sleeves in the caliper that ride on the pins. Maybe those sleeves are worn out/messed up?



Sephiroth
Dodge Dakota
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3/17/2004
13:36:29

RE: Brake Problems...
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Here they are! Six images should give you a good idea of the problem.

Images




99DAK
Dodge Dakota
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3/17/2004
14:59:25

RE: Brake Problems...
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So apparently the whole caliper is "popped up" on top. Seems to me it's got to have something to do with those rubber sleeves. I can't imagine the caliper mount being bent/distorted enough to cause this. One thing that doesn't look right is seeing so much of the pin (the shiny part) between the caliper and mount, but that could just be cause you didn't reload it (pump the pedal) after you reassembled it. If the mount/steering knuckle is ok and unless those sleeves are replaceable (I have no idea) then I'd just replace the caliper - $40-$50. Oh and the little arm goes over - at least that's the way mine are.
Good luck and keep us posted.



Sephiroth
Dodge Dakota
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3/17/2004
15:24:42

RE: Brake Problems...
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Yeah I thought it went over. However, when I put it over the brace, the rear part of the pad raises up high enough to scrape, and the front one locks down like it should.

I just called Dodge and the cost of just discovering WTF happened is about $30. That's without repairs. I'm about to call NTB and see if they're going to fix the damage done and replace my rims (exposed metal rusts) or if I have to sue. I'm so f*cking pissed right now I could rip their heads off. Nobody damages my truck, NOBODY.



Sephiroth
Dodge Dakota
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3/17/2004
18:50:56

RE: Brake Problems...
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Found the problem. I took it back to NTB to have the things fixed. The guys were real polite and offered to repair anything. That impressed me due to expecting the common "we didn't do jack and you're SOL" response.

Well, we got it on a jack and discovered several things. The big one is that the brakes are marked WRONG! Well, the pads. The one that has an 'R' on it that goes o the outside has that metal arm that is shown in one of my pictures. Thing is, the arm is SUPPOSED to go forward/up according to Dodge's diagrams and info! On top of that, they're supposed to be under the metal brace up front. That is my problem. I can't believe NAPA can sell those things that are marked wrong like that! I'll take pictures after I reinstall them on the proper sides and put them under pressure.

I can tell you this much though, I am now a NTB customer for my tires. I mean I gotta' give 'em a little advertisement after the way they dealt with this situation and due to the price I got better tires for.



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