Brakes - grrrr !!!

[RaftingDave]

Not sure if this is the right forum, but here goes...

When we had our pop-up camper last June, we got some serious squeaking from the brakes. Mountain passes, maybe (initially) too much brake on the steeper downhills, but okay....yeah, I did use tow/haul.

Had my dealer look at them. Said they're fine.

Second time out, same thing. Had my local mechanic look at them. He de-glazed them, checked the pads. Next time out, WITHOUT the camper, brake still squeaking. Mostly, it seemed when I applied them lightly, or as I released them. Each subsequent time, same thing.

Just got back from a weeklong camping trip to southern Utah, with the pop-up. Got jammed up in traffic coming down to Denver area (I70). Stop 'n go. Squeeeeeek.

The truck is a 2017 Big Horn QC, 3.21 gears.

After I get my hail damage fixed, I take it in for recall mitigation. I'm beginning to think I should lean on these guys to REALLY investigate this. New discs? Or find a local brake specialist?

The thing is only a year old, my camper is only 3K loaded - the truck sounds like an 80's beater. Making me crazy.

 

[PoMansRam]

I'd do a good disassembly, clean and re-lube of the brakes. If you can't do this yourself, I've seen shops charge around $100 for this service. I've found my brakes last twice as long if I do this.

I also had some squeaking from the rears on my 2017 Ram 1500 express at ~20K miles during normal every day use. It actually started around 15K miles. I started with the rear brakes, disassembled, cleaned and lubed the pins, bushings, clips and contact points. Did the same with the fronts a few days later. I even knocked all the rotors off and never-seized the hubs so they come off easier next time. I'm glad I serviced the brakes. There is very little lube applied from the factory and the pad ears hang up easily in the slide grooves, especially on the rears. The inside rear pads were starting to wear at an angle due to being partially hung-up.

 

[RaftingDave]

Thanks - I'll get an estimate from my dealership on this.

 

[MADDOG]

It sounds as if the pads need some copper grease on the backing plates, the pads need to be bedded and the rotors seasoned.

The grease on the backing plate can be done by the dealer. You get to take it out on some country roads to bed the pads and season the rotors.

 

[Nick@GotExhaust]

as others said I would take them all apart, clean them then lube up the back of the pads and grease the slide pins while in there. If after that you still have issues I would just swap to a better rotor and pad. Since you do some decent towing I would recommend a slotted pad to help keep the brakes cooler but still allow a lot of surface area so you dont have to worry as much about warping or even cracking. Pair that up with some quality pads, proper install and a proper bedding procedure and you wont have anymore issues for a long time.

Let us know if you need new brakes we can set you up with a great package at a discount!

 

[meedom]

Replacing those pads will most likely take care of your issue, just dont forget the lube if you do....