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2008 Chrysler T&C & Dodge Caravan brake life expectancy!

83 messages,  Last post on Nov 19, 2009 at 11:16 PM

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What is this discussion about? Chrysler Town and Country, Brakes, Van

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#74 of 83 Add me to the list by ragtop262 Nov 09, 2009 (9:26 am)
Add me to the list of people with premature brake wear on our '08 T&C. We have 30,000 mostly highway miles and the front pads and rotors are shot (our previous T&C got 65,000 mi under the same conditions before brakes wore out). So far the rears look OK - (about half gone).   I'll be doing the replacement myself, with top of the line parts from NAPA costing a little over $200.   The thing I found strange is how deep the pads had worn into the rotors (even though there's no metal to metal contact yet). Way beyond the ability to resurface them. In the past, you could usually get the rotors resurfaced, allowing them to be used with a second set of pads.   One thing the parts guy told me was that the manufacturers used to source brake rotors from US based foundries, but have now switched mostly to Chinese foundries. Unfortunately all the aftermarket rotors they had available come from China as well. Not sure if that's really true or not - but these rotors surely look like a much softer material than in the past. (And if you use a softer rotor, you're forced to use a softer pad to prevent eating them up too fast. And soft rotors + soft pads = frequent brake jobs.)
#75 of 83 Re: Another Update To Our Situation [pschultheis] by pschultheis Nov 09, 2009 (11:23 am)
Replying to: pschultheis (Oct 12, 2009 11:40 am) We received a phone call from the Chrysler Customer Assistance Center in response to the letter we sent asking for reimbursement. They are sending a check for $236.62 to us - we should have it in a couple of weeks. When I asked what the amount represented, the customer service rep mentioned it was for our sliding side door. I don't think he had accurate information though since we have never paid anything to have our sliding side doors fixed (yes, they have been an issue, but so far the service to fix them has been covered by the warranty). I asked if they'd be sending a letter explaining what the $ represent and the CSR said they would be. I am guessing the amount represents the portion we paid to the dealer for the brakes since that is the amount we paid them. The other amounts we paid were to our personal mechanic and I am guessing they won't cover this since we didn't go to the dealer. We will wait and see what the letter/check states when we receive it. I did also file a complaint with the NHTSA, Office of Defects Investigation - it is complaint #10291500 - I hope this helps anyone else who might need it.
#76 of 83 Re: Chrysler Brake Pad/Rotor Issues [janetmfx] by pschultheis Nov 09, 2009 (11:27 am)
Replying to: janetmfx (Oct 02, 2009 8:24 am) Hi there - see my post #75 for an update to our situation . . .   Have a good day and good luck to you.
#77 of 83 Re: Chrysler Brake Pad/Rotor Issues [gunksny] by pschultheis Nov 09, 2009 (11:28 am)
Replying to: gunksny (Oct 05, 2009 5:14 am) Hi there - please see my post #75 for an update to our situation.   Have a good day and good luck to you . . . Replies to this message: gunksny (Nov 14, 2009 12:40 pm) pschultheis (Nov 15, 2009 8:57 am) poorvan (Nov 15, 2009 6:47 pm)
#78 of 83 Re: Chrysler Brake Pad/Rotor Issues [poorvan] by pschultheis Nov 09, 2009 (11:29 am)
Replying to: poorvan (Oct 12, 2009 4:41 am) Hi there,   Please see my post #75 with an update to our situation.   Have a good day and best of luck to you.
#79 of 83 Motor Trend Too by ragtop262 Nov 09, 2009 (8:58 pm)
I just finished reading my November 2009 MT magazine, and came across their long term test wrap up for their '08 T&C. They complained (but not too loudly) about being charged $615 to replace the front brakes with only 19,000 mi on the clock. That included flushing the brake fluid (not sure why you'd need to flush brake fluid on a vehicle that's less than a year old......).
#80 of 83 Re: Chrysler Brake Pad/Rotor Issues [pschultheis] by gunksny Nov 14, 2009 (12:40 pm)
Replying to: pschultheis (Nov 09, 2009 11:28 am) Thanks for the update. Today I received a check for $156 representing half of the cost of rear brake replacement. SOunds like you were lucky to get everything you paid your dealer. I'm thinking I should have done the fronts at the same time.. Replies to this message: pschultheis (Nov 15, 2009 8:57 am) poorvan (Nov 15, 2009 6:47 pm)
#81 of 83 Re: Chrysler Brake Pad/Rotor Issues [gunksny] by pschultheis Nov 15, 2009 (8:57 am)
Replying to: gunksny (Nov 14, 2009 12:40 pm) I'm glad to hear you received some money back although I still think they should reimburse you for everything. Just guessing, but they may have been factoring in the fact that we had some additional work done by our own mechanic that they are not reimbursing us for. Who knows.   I'm still not comfortable with the outcome and am concerned about the future. We will take the car to the dealer from now on though in case we need to write Chrysler again . . . Replies to this message: poorvan (Nov 15, 2009 6:47 pm)
#82 of 83 Re: Chrysler Brake Pad/Rotor Issues [pschultheis] by poorvan Nov 15, 2009 (6:47 pm)
Replying to: pschultheis (Nov 15, 2009 8:57 am) After three sets of front brakes my rear brakes went - all of this at less than 40k miles. I took the plunge and installed my new rotors and Wagner QuietStop ceramic brakes all from Advanced Auto Parts. Total cost was less than $200, and after a little learning curve I did one set in less than 25 minutes...very easy, plus the dealer wanted $500 for similar higher quality product. Advanced Auto even rents a tool designed specifically to collapse the caliper piston. I'm all ready to do the front when needed.
#83 of 83 THE MOST EXPENSIVE VEHICLE TO MAINTAIN PERIOD!! by usavet Nov 19, 2009 (11:16 pm)
My Town & Country has had 3 front brake jobs and one rear brake job. Two sets of front rotors and one in the rear!! I had two of the front brake jobs done at Zooks, the local dealer, after the experience I took it to an independent mechanic the next two times. This vehicle has been used for work and for family use and vacations it has all road miles. The first set went out with rotors at around 20-23k, had pads and rotors turned at approx 32k. The rear rotors and pads went at 39k and the fronts went again at 48k. Also to add insult to injury both front wheel bearings went out between 50k and 55k. Right now as we speak there is a grinding sound coming from the right front!!! Wonder what that is!!! I am a 37 year old responsible father of 4 and I drive like it!! There is no way a vehicle should cost this much to maintain and this is a very well maintained vehicle!!!

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