Brake noise went from clunk to a horrible grind in a hurry
During our repair trip of 2012... (that's about all we did the entire five months on the road) we had stopped in Bismarck and had the last of our repairs done.
We replaced brake pads, put on new rotors when we put the 19.5 Vision Aluminum wheels and tires on the front (only) of the F-350 pickup. Then we drove back to Oregon and parked it.
This year we left Oregon in April (after putting 19.5 aluminum Vision wheels and tires on the rear) and by June we were in Michigan.
About a week ago we heard a slight clunk and felt a slight thud when we stepped on the brake. Hubby took a look underneath but he didn't see a thing wrong. He knew the issue was connected with stepping on the brake.
Monday we left Michigan and headed to Darien, IL. WEST bound I-94 from St. Joseph, Michigan to the Indiana state line was HORRIBLE. Rough and full of unavoidable pot holes. (and we were not going over 65 mph ever but when we hit those bumps and holes it was one jolt after another.)
We were on I-294 just a few miles from I-55 when the most horrible grinding noise I ever heard happened. Hubby had tapped the brake and it just seemed to almost lock, then grind. We exited onto I-55 and prayed we would not have to step on the brake again. It was tense. Not a place to pull over. We got off at Hwy 83 (Kingery Hwy) and got it parked safely.
Here's what the issue was... somewhere along the way the bolts holding the brake calipers came loose... and then one fell off... and that allowed the brake caliper to swing into the aluminum wheel.
photos here
Whether it was the rough roads... or maybe they were never tightened correctly... I don't know. What I would like to say is that when you are checking your rig for a trip... check your bolts.
And if you are thinking whether to get aluminum wheels or steel... I'd vote for steel.
We replaced brake pads, put on new rotors when we put the 19.5 Vision Aluminum wheels and tires on the front (only) of the F-350 pickup. Then we drove back to Oregon and parked it.
This year we left Oregon in April (after putting 19.5 aluminum Vision wheels and tires on the rear) and by June we were in Michigan.
About a week ago we heard a slight clunk and felt a slight thud when we stepped on the brake. Hubby took a look underneath but he didn't see a thing wrong. He knew the issue was connected with stepping on the brake.
Monday we left Michigan and headed to Darien, IL. WEST bound I-94 from St. Joseph, Michigan to the Indiana state line was HORRIBLE. Rough and full of unavoidable pot holes. (and we were not going over 65 mph ever but when we hit those bumps and holes it was one jolt after another.)
We were on I-294 just a few miles from I-55 when the most horrible grinding noise I ever heard happened. Hubby had tapped the brake and it just seemed to almost lock, then grind. We exited onto I-55 and prayed we would not have to step on the brake again. It was tense. Not a place to pull over. We got off at Hwy 83 (Kingery Hwy) and got it parked safely.
Here's what the issue was... somewhere along the way the bolts holding the brake calipers came loose... and then one fell off... and that allowed the brake caliper to swing into the aluminum wheel.
photos here
Whether it was the rough roads... or maybe they were never tightened correctly... I don't know. What I would like to say is that when you are checking your rig for a trip... check your bolts.
And if you are thinking whether to get aluminum wheels or steel... I'd vote for steel.
