First off I am not claiming to be an expert but, like many here I choose to
do most my maintenance myself. At least I do a better job then these
production shops we all have tried.

Anyway, I also own a 99 GC Sport. I have not had any brake problems and did
not need to replace the brakes until over 70K miles, so with that said and
from reading your email, I think there are 2 things that stood out to me. 1.
Did you thoroughly clean your brake assembly when you replaced the brakes
the last time? 2. You said you did not turn the rotors, I could see both of
those items leading to early brake wear.

Also, I have to wonder if you have a front brake that is dragging? Again,
cleaning the system on the last brake replacement may have prevented that
from happening.

Please take my comments as constructive. I certainly do not claim to know
more then you and especially others here but I do believe that another set
of eyes or ears helps. I use that theory when I work on my airplane. I never
work on it myself without someone else looking over my work. That is not
only for my life safety but also for those on the ground, and brakes can
kind of be viewed the same.

Best of Luck,
Jeff York
85 Dodge 600CS Shelby'ized Turbo II convertible
99 GC Sport
01 PT Cruiser
02 KR-2 Porsche powered Experimental Airplane

"Jim Candela" > wrote in message
.. .
>
> I love my Caravan, but brakes have not been a good point. This is a SE
with
> the 3.3 liter V6.
>
> First both rear drum brake wheel cylinders needed to be replaced at 30,000
> miles due to brake fluid seepage. At that time I replaced the wheel
> cylinders, bled the rear system, replaced the front rotors (turned the
> rear), and all the brakes with Raybestos PG plus pads & shoes. I noticed
> however that the front right pads where nearly down to the rivets, and the
> left front had much more meat left (almost 2X).
>
> The van ran fine for a long time afterward for about 30,000 miles until
the
> brakes again seemed to be less effective. Maybe it was a mistake, but I
> replaced the front pads with the cheaper pep boys pads (ceramic) and I did
> not turn the rotors. The old PG plus pads were evenly worn left & right,
and
> the rotors looked fine (did not mic them). There was still maybe 10,000
> miles left on the old pads. The new cheap pads seated immediately, and
> better braking was restored.
>
> Now after only about 5000 miles the right front pads are down to the
rivets
> (rotor toast now), and squeaking away (at low speed when cold, and not
> applying the brakes). Interestingly the left front side looks fine. I also
> notice that after I park the left rotor is too hot to touch for at least
15
> minutes after I park the van whereas the right rotor is much cooler.
>
> So it seems that I need at least one new rotor, and quality pads. What is
> bothering me is the uneven wear. Do I have a "sleepy caliper" that may not
> be releasing enough (left front)? Even now the braking is good and even,
no
> left or right pulling. Taking sharp left & right turns does not seem to
make
> a noise one way or the other is if I have a bad wheel bearing.
>
> Any thoughts?
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Jim Candela
>
>