After 30 miles of Driving Vibration and Smoke from Front Wheel Well

[Tank Guy]

Cheaper to keep her, the brakes are all new!!!

I agree! I hardly ever need the use of a truck anymore, but my 98 is in great shape and the new models are too darn pricey for me, so I make a point of driving it to work every now and then just to keep it in good running order. I’ll sell it when I’m too old to drive.

 

[PapaDave]

A few years back, I had a Dakota RT pickup. The front brakes had this nasty habit of overheating for no apparent reason. The smoke made it look like the truck was on fire. At one point, the rotors were glowing bright red. Took it to the dealer three times, but they could find nothing wrong. Eventually I traded it in on a new Ram 1500. Best trade I ever made.

 

[FAAQ2]

About 3 weeks ago I brought my truck (2009 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 5.7 Hemi) into the shop because after about 30 miles of driving at around 55 mph the truck had a bad vibration from the front end, and when stopped a bad smell and smoke from the driver's side front wheel well, and both front wheels were hot to the touch. The shop suspected brakes hanging up, and said that they resurfaced the front brake pads and cleaned and lubed the calipers. After the repairs I drove the truck the 6 miles home and parked it, seemed fine. Well today I took the same 30 mile drive and it does exactly the same thing, at exactly the same time and distance of the drive. Obviously the truck is going back to the shop, but wow, ok until about 30 miles into a drive? Crazy, any thoughts or experience with something like this? Also ABS, Brake, Traction Control, ESP and BAS lights are on but have been on for a long time.

I have a 2015 Ram 1500 Laramie with 56,000 miles. Had the same problem one day - front right disc was hot and a bad smell. Took it to Les Schwab- Stuck caliper - they replaced the disc and the caliper - No more problem. They should replace the disc & Caliper - If there was a lot of heat - the discs should be replaced - not resurface the disc. Heat causes damage to the disc and obviously the fix was not working.

 

[Marshall]

Update: Just got a call from the shop. They took it for a 20+ mile drive, and said that both rear and the front driver's side calipers are hanging up. So they said 3 new calipers and pads for $900+, and said that they would not charge labor because the last time they had it (3 weeks ago) they did a front and rear brake inspection, cleaned and lubed the calipers, and resurfaced the brake pads (cost me $250). I asked them to give me a break on parts, and they said yes, I'm not sure how much. I told them that I thought that brakes were the biggest rip off in automotive, with the ridiculous parts mark up.

Any good shop would have picked that up I would have thought , when they did the pads
Doing 3 pad and rotors is a no no , ie stupid , do them all or it will not work even, pull.
Good thing they are doing the follow up free.
PS I see it got done, hope all 4 wheels done.
Your gas milage must have sucked with all that load on the front end, would be like the head winds we have up here in the prairies, mileage goes way down.

Easy enought to check for drake drag, out of town, go for a few miles, and try not to use the brakes, easy roll over to side of road, or off the road is better, then check the brakes for heat / smell. they should just ne warm, not hot.

 

[jjfitch]

Sticking piston in brake caliper. All the symptoms, smell , heat , vibration.

A good case for flushing the brake fluid reservoir and lines every couple of years. I now use a litmus test for water in my fluid. Had issues with 2 different MOPAR's with sticking pistons. The infrared temp gun and litmus test has all but eliminated the issues with moisture and metal pistons corrosion and sticking.

 

[Tominator223]

The vinyl brake lines can cause the same issues. As say a caliper piston seal being bad , causing the piston to hang up. From dirt & sand damaging the piston & bore. So if it happens after changing calipers , I would change the vinyl lines as well.

 

[Hardracer]

I replaced my left front hub about 2 months ago.started having a slight vibration and then a sound..tire spun fine,k the brakes are good.....had the tiniest amount of slop when jacked up..other side had none...if it wasnt for the vibration i wouldnt've known an issue probably til it was to late for some real damage to be done,my windows are always up down here in fla.so i never noticed a change in sound outside.changed it out,now all good again

 

[Dusty]

I replaced my left front hub about 2 months ago.started having a slight vibration and then a sound..tire spun fine,k the brakes are good.....had the tiniest amount of slop when jacked up..other side had none...if it wasnt for the vibration i wouldnt've known an issue probably til it was to late for some real damage to be done,my windows are always up down here in fla.so i never noticed a change in sound outside.changed it out,now all good again

Was the failed bearing an aftermarket unit?

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, 18” wheels. Build Date: 3 June 2018. Now at 132993 miles.

 

[Hardracer]

Was the failed bearing an aftermarket unit?

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, 18” wheels. Build Date: 3 June 2018. Now at 132993 miles.

Not as far as I know...I've owned it for eight or so years now....i doubt it wasnt factory though.This new one is