brake pads need replacing???

[5.7LTR]

Anyone getting brake job done before 20,000 miles. I have 18, and i feel i have to press harder on pedal than i should have to especially when coming to a stop. I got my durango used at 16,000 miles so unsure how brakes felt when new.

[Moparblue]

Every DC vehicle I have ever owned required a brake job - or rotors at least - prior to 30k. Each of the sport utes required them around 20k. These included a 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2003 Durango. DC rotors are the cluprit! They are not alone in warping but you can almost count on it happening. If you hate brake dust and want a lifetime warranty, this can be you chance to install a quality aftermarket ceramic brake pads and rotors. Expensive, but it will eliminate brake dust, stop better with little brake fade and parts are usually guaranteed for life.

[5.7LTR]

Thanks For Input....know Any Good Brands??

[Monkey Bus]

My 2002 Durango SLT 4x4 has 31,000 miles and there's plenty of pad and now pulsing or irregular rotor/drum wear.

My 2000 Jeep Cherokee 4x4 had 30,000 miles on it when I sold it and the brakes were fine.

My 2004 Durango SLT 4x4 only has 4,000 miles, so the verdicts out on that one.

I guess it depends on where/how you drive.

Perhaps the previous owner did the whole "drive 45 until your 5 yards from the stop sign" method of driving?

[Moparblue]

I've used Raybestos in the past with great results. $pendy however - though check the lifetime guarantee. I believe the pads were guaranteed not to wear out - else they would be replaced for free. Doubt anyone guarantees rotors though.
Not sure why they are soo cheap - I'm definitely not a stomp on the brakes guy. Have family with Honda's that do this constantly - though he is a slam on the brakes type of guy.

[5.7LTR]

yeah, I was thinking that about previous owner. Hate not knowing whole history. Thanks.

[Chuck_IV]

You should complain to your dealer. Dodge released a TSB on a braking vibration issue, in September. See here: http://www.dodgetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32177

The rotors they use, at the factory, are crap. The dealer initially resurfaced them and replaced the pads, but 1k miles later, my vibration was back, so they replaced the rotors. Since then(it's been over 1k miles already) I've been fine. The rotors they replace the factory ones with, seem to be much better than the factory crap.

[wh88]

I had the shaking problem when braking with my Caravan. I replaced the factory rotors with Raybestos ones and they lasted a little over 15 months and 25K miles then started shaking again. The Raybestos ones I believe were made in Canada.

I ended up putting on a pair of Brembo's I ordered from TireRack and I have not had any problems yet (knock on wood) and it's been 18 months and over 30K miles.

Chrysler has some great ideas, but their implementation of those ideas really suck. The parts they use are just plain cheap to keep costs down I suppose. The rotors are a good example of where they skimped on quality.

If I had to replace my D's rotors, I'd go with Brembo's. While Italian stuff in general have huge quality and consistency problems, the Brembo's really stand out in the braking world, otherwise Porsche wouldn't be using them on their 993/996 twin turbos.

Here's a link from TireRack:
http://www.tirerack.com/brakes/results.jsp?scat=Pads&scat=Rotors&autoMake=Dodge&autoModel=Durango+Limited+V8+4wd&autoModClar=&autoYear=2004&brand=all&x=61&y=8

Willy

[bbodyguy]

Link does not work for me.

As far as rotor quality goes, the big thing is to make sure it's US or Canadian product, and name brand. If it's good quality steel, you can not do any better. Brembo shrembo, if your not changing the geometry of the brakes (bigger) you can not do better than having quality steel. Where you can go wrong is cheap "white box /no label" rotors, where impurities can show up as hot spots on a rotor and thus an uneven or warped surface. Such as those made off shore....

BTW, there is absolutely no evidence crossdrilling is better, in fact it is often worse. Looks cool though. If your a looks over function kind person, then it might be your cup of tea. Can cause cracks, and disintigration. There is NO WAY you to relive the stress cracks from the 90 degree angle formed from the drill bit and rotor on the inside surface of the rotor. And despite persistant rumors, the holes are not 'cast in' the expensive brembo rotors. I do not know if cross drilled rotors are available for the D anyway, but if they are, - not for me. All the above just my opinion of course!

Upshot - when buying rotors, don't get the cheapie no names, verify made on this chunk of land, and you can not do better.

[Chuck_IV]

Well, just an FYI, so far, so good. Since having the factory rotors changed out, by the dealer, with Mopar rotors, I have had no problems at all with them.

[seamus0g]

I have about 8K on my '04 DD SXT (built 07/04) and I have to say the brakes are way above average compared to previously owned vehicles. Very responsive and have a nice feel just driving around town or having getting my foot in it during the usual rush hour traffic BS. I might be jinxing myself, but I’ve been VERY impressed with the brakes on the DD… hopefully they will work as well after 20+K… :)

[orion7144]

I just had the TSB done and so far so good. I told them I wanted new rotors sonce this has been a documented problem since <1000 miles (now have 11K) but they said they would follow the TSB and if it came back they would replace the rotors.

BTW it stated my rotors were off by .4 so they were pretty warped. Too bad the dealer I bought it from could not "reproduce" the vibration at 1k and 8k miles. Luckily this dealer did everything I asked including the TSB for the transmision.