Rear Brake Shoe Noise 97 Caravan

KCTractors · Apr 3, 2012

I just got this tractor parts go getter, it"s a 97 Caravan. The rear brakes with drum brakes are making noise like they were metal to metal so I went and bought new shoes for it. I removed the drums and the shoes are like brand new, so why are they making so much noise? It looks like when they replaced the shoes they didn"t cut the drums. The drums do have some grooves in them but not that bad. Any ideas?

Mike in Mn. · Apr 3, 2012

I have noticed that on vehicles that don't get driven a lot, Seems like they grind like there something wrong for a while and then it dissapears after some use. The grooves dont make any difference, the shoes will wear in.

bo · Apr 3, 2012

Rust..they flash rust and you have to drive a bit and use them and the noise disappears and then on a humid morning, it reappears.

pete 23 · Apr 3, 2012

Drum brakes don't usually make a grinding noise from rust or what ever. Disc brakes definetely do. Make sure your self adjusters are not giving you the problem. Some years ago, a lining let go from the shoe on my old caravan. Made a lot of noise. I replaced the shoes and then they grabbed like crazy. I took drums off about three times, checking things out. Polished drums and linings, would work for a few days, then same thing, lock the wheel. Went back where I bought the shoes and traded them in for a higher quality, higher priced shoe and they work fine. I also threw the self adjusters away , added a spring to hold adjuster from turning and now every ten years or so I have to crawl under and adjust them, (sarc, as I haven't had to adjust them yet). There real name is self wearer outers. Pain.

bill mart · Apr 4, 2012

I have a 2000 caravan that has the same noise,I have had it apart a couple of times and couldnt find anything obviously wrong.I decided to just live with it. bill

36 Coupe · Apr 4, 2012

The self adjusters limit the travel of the hydraulic pistons in the wheel and Master cylinders.New brake shoes push the piston back into a rusty areas and you get leaks.I get rid of self adjusters when I can.Back when I worked in auto garages adjusting brakes helped find worn out shoes.If a brake needed a lot of adjusting I pulled a rear drum to find worn out shoes.Cars got a quick inspection for problems during brake adjustments and grease jobs.Now they run them until the tie rod ends drop off.Self adjusting brakes wear out faster.Bum idea.

tomNE · Apr 4, 2012

also have had rear hub bearings go out and they make a grinding noise. i usually rock the vehicle left and right while driving down the road at a safe speed. if noise changes pitch, then it's a hub bearing.

oldironman · Apr 4, 2012

All you need to do is put some water pump grease on the places where the shoes touch the backer plate and the noise will go away. The break shop wont tell you that because that brings in a lot of work for them. When most cars are new if you pulled off the wheels you would find that the maker had done just that but the break shops only use just a little so that they will come back sooner.

Morgan Flowers · Apr 4, 2012

I had this exact problem on a 96 Ford Escort. What I figured out was that the brakes had gotten hot at some point (like when the emergency brake gets left on) and they were work hardened. New pads fixed the problem. Didn't turn the rotors or anything.

Hobo,NC · Apr 4, 2012

It does not cost much I buy it by the case,,, all the pads/shoes I install get a coating of this,,, I don't have noise issues and have fixed a few Chrysler problems like yours with this...

BG Stop Squeal
http://www.bgprod.com/products/brake.html

If you try this sand the shoes to knock the shine off'em...

ASEguy · Apr 5, 2012

Your rear shoes are probably glazed. Your drums should look a little like silver, not brown or blue. If the squeak only occurs in the morning there is only so much you can do. Make sure you have lubed sliding areas with lithium grease. Lube the self adjusters and keep them in there and remember the adjusters are side specific. Swap them and you will eventually lose your pedal. Also make sure you replace the shoes with the same type of friction material. If semi-metallic came off put it back on. Gerard

Rear Brake Shoe Noise 97 Caravan

KCTractors

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Mike in Mn.

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bo

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pete 23

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bill mart

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36 Coupe

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tomNE

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oldironman

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Morgan Flowers

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Hobo,NC

Well-known Member

ASEguy

Well-known Member

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