'01 Dodge Caravan brake noise?

Question

My Dodge Caravan makes an awful intermitent noise when I start to apply the foot on the pedal. It decreases as I apply more pressure on the brakes It's sounds something like: "clak clak clak clak" I've asked the Dodge dealer to check it and they say the brake pads are fine. Is it just a factory defect?
Just doesn't seem normal to me???

Answer 1

you need to go for a ride with the service manager and let him hear the noise... good luck

Answer 2

Yes the brake pads may be fine but that doesn't mean there isn't a problem. One thing you should look for is the lubricant around the moveable joints. Apply lubricant if you don't see any. There should be some white or gray lubricant on the caliper bolts and guide pins . Make sure the lubricant is made for brake applications. Lubricant is absolutely necessary because without it the movement on the pad is prohibited and this allows the pad to stick closer to the brake rotor thus resulting in a hotter operating temperature. Once the brakes get to their maximum temperature they begin to squeal, rumble and make noise. Another thing is to adjust the rear brake shoes if it has any because you may have your front brake pads doing all the braking. This causes warping and cracking of the rotors when left unfixed. Noises are caused by excessive heat and vibrations coming from the brake pad. My advice, replace the front pads yourself and apply some brake lubricant, check your rotors for cracking and warpage and for blue spots. Replace them if you spot any. Adjust or replace your rear brake shoes or pads if necessary.

Answer 3

The brake pads have a thin piece of material between the caliper and the pad. When they are installed they are supposed to be glued to the pad to keep the pads from rattling with material that came with the set of pads. Whoever installed the pads didn't use the glue and the pads rattle under slight braking. It could also be one of the caliper pin bushings worn or missing causing unequal pressure on the pad.
Take it to a local mechanic who is highly recommended and explain to him the exact problem, and I bet he can fix it. A lot of time dealers are so swamped they won't mess with a minor problem that creates no hazard. An independent mechanic will, because that is his living.

Answer 4

It sounds like the brake hardware is either missing or loose. These brake pads come with a variety of different size shims to make them fit in the knuckle assembly tighter. If they are missing, the brake pads will bang up and down inside the bracket. These are very small clips and you need to take the brake pads out to see if they are there. Good luck!! GaryT

Answer 5

It could be the tension on the anti-lock braking mechanism. This causes the brakes to grab and release repeatedly. I suggest you have the dealer check and adjust the tension properly.

Answer 6

Dodge Caravan is like that. Bad car, especially comes with brake and transmission.

I used to have that and sold it (for cheap price) I never want to own a Dodge again!

Answer 7

you might wanna check your brake pads again just incase the guy didnt know what he was doing.... it might be your brake pads

Answer 8

you might have tempered brakes that might cause the noise or you might have a little dust in the rotors

Answer 9

TAKE IT TO A REAL MECHANIC. ANY ford DEALERSHIP WOULD BE GLAD TO FIX IT FOR YOU IF'N THE DODGE PEOPLE CAN'T...AFTER THAT, I AM SURE YOU WILL BECOME A FORD DRIVER.....IF THEY ARE THAT GOOD WITH OTHER BRANDS JUST IMAGINE HOW GOOD THEY ARE ON FORDS.BUT DON'T TAKE MY WORD FOR IT GO AND SEE FOR YOURSELF...