I'm getting a little irritated at my brake problem. I've put 5 sets of brake pads on my wifes van in the past 2 years. (yes I know its not a 4x4, but can you imagine the amount of knowledge on a plymouth grand voyager forum and this is a generel brake pad question.)

The problem, every time, is that one of the bonded brake pads will shear off its backing plate and ruin the rotor. Does anyone else have this problem, and WTF do I do? The brakes never wear out. They just break.

I've tried the cheap ones, the expensive ones, the ceramic ones, the expensive ones again, and this last time I bought the cheap ones again. They all last about the same time so I figure the cheap ones are a better deal now. I can't seem to find riveted ones for the van.

The back brakes are adjusted up, so it's not the heat from the front brakes doing all of the work. I replace the rotors every time, both sides.

Anyone?...Anyone at all?

Which side, piston or overhang?

overhang, why?

This is just a guess, but, the compounds used for bonded brake shoes and pads are designed for specific temperature ranges. Most failures with brake pads and shoes that I've worked on were caused by too much heat. Overheated pads and shoes wear very fast and they can crumble and fall apart. Most of the excessive heat build up I've witnessed in brakes is due to the driver of the car resting a foot on the brake pedal while they're driving; it doesn't take much and the habit is often unconcious. What I would try (but I wouldn't tell her - not 'till later) is following my wife while she's driving down the road to see if the brake lights remain off or if they are on more than they're off.
That might no work at your house so don't take it as a recommendation. Proceed at your own risk.

You're probabaly stuck with dealer parts if you want riveted pads for the van. I did the brakes on an 00' Voyager today and pulled riveted pads off of it which I know for sure were installed at the dealer.

I haven't seen any riveted pads in the aftermarket for these either, although that doesn't mean they dont exist.

If you can locate a set of Wagner Thermo-Quiets, I'd give them a try.

Incidentally, it sounds like you have a problem somewhere. Even cheap pads shouldn't be loosing their linings. My guess is your caliper pistons are hanging up or the sliders need lubed up. Chances are, you van has phoenolic <sp?> (read: plastic) pistons in the calipers. Depending on the mileage, they're probably junk. They don't usually last much past 75K miles. If you end up replacing the calipers, be sure to get a pair with metal pistons.

Also look for wear on the caliper bracket where the pads ride. The Caravans/Voyagers are notorious for wearing grooves in the bracket where the pads slide back and forth. Sometimes you can grind the bracket smooth again. With grooves worn into the brackets, your pads won't meet the rotor squarely.

I'll check that out...thanks








.