Dodge Caravan Brakes replacement

JAKECAN

MEMBER
DODGE CARAVAN

Hi, I have a Dodge Caravan SE 2003 with the standard 3.8l V6 engine. The car has 37000KM or approx 24000 miles. It is driven mostly in town on short distance trips.

I have been replacing the front brake rotors and pads every 18000km or 12000 miles.

I have also been told by the dealer twice that the front sway bar bushing needed to be replaced.

This time my Drum and rear brakes were seezed and I needed to replace the drums. Which by the way they were just serviced/cleaned and adjusted less then 6 months ago.

I'm starting to dought seriously this dealership and I'm starting to think they are just rip everyone off! Am I wrong here?

If they are ripping people off I'm prepared to file an unfair practice complaint under the consumer protection act.

Thanks

3 Replies

SERVICE WRITER

MECHANIC
9,123 POSTS

I don't know that your right or wrong about the dealership, but I'll give my $.02.

IT's awful early mileagewise to have to replace the brakes at 12000 mile intervals. IF the truck sets more than normal there is a chance the rotors are pitting. Hard to say, don't know the circumstances why they were replaced. I don't like the rears being seized situation. Seems pretty unusual. I don't understand the logic of replacing the drums to solve it either.

What is the reason for the sway bar bushings? Is it sway bar links maybe?
Clunking going over bumps in the front?

There are many good independent repair shops that can service your vehicle. I would steer clear of the chain type of shops.

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Sunday, February 21st, 2021 AT 4:12 PM

JAKECAN

MEMBER
2 POSTS

It turns out the person at the service desk did not know what he was talking about.

The problem turned out to be the drums having roted. They where so rusted they were falling apart.

I guess the part that are used are made of recycled metals and they rust in no time. My next time I'll be using well reknowned parts.

As for the disks as I understand it they were warped?

Anyway I will definetly stear away from dealerships service they are truely out to get your money and used the cheapest parts available.

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Sunday, February 21st, 2021 AT 4:12 PM

SERVICE WRITER

MECHANIC
9,123 POSTS

It doesn't surprise me that the service person was out of touch, They don't have what it takes to be a salesman or a tech, but end up in the middle. It ain't easy!

You really need to find a good shop that is up to date on technology, honest and want you as a customer. Try not to be jaded towards auto repair as there are many times you will want to question it. A shop is only as good as it's employees. Fortunatley, we can help you here.

With the globalization of manufacturing, I no longer trust all name brands. This is a very dynamic world we are in. I use cheap rotors and quality pads, but have as good as luck than using stupid priced rotors.

I don't believe your drums were falling apart. Having said that, it may have been true, I just have a hard time with it. I think the sticking will return from lack of activity. Rotors warped? That I'll buy, lack of activity hurts them.

I'll pass a service writer tip, the transmission filters need to be changed often on these. I wouldn't go more than 20,000 if it were mine!

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Sunday, February 21st, 2021 AT 4:12 PM