Chrysler is secretly famous for their plastic or composition caliper pistons
swelling and sticking on. When it first starts the auto probably steers
slightly funny. Then it starts smelling hot and there may be smoke. I have
seen them seize and have to be towed.
"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
>
>