Truck has developed a metallic grating noise that varies with speed, comes from left rear of vehicle. Really sounds like a pad dragging on a disc. Rear pads were replaced about 2 months ago and rear rotors were replaced yesterday. Noise is still there. The E-brake doesn't hold as good as it used to and needs adjusted. Could the E-brake being out of adjustment cause the noise I am hearing? (My intuition says no, since that it is not holding as good as it once did, that is probably isn't close enough to the rotor to drag).
Also, when I adjust the star wheel (thanks for the pic Mopar1973man), do I need to remove the rotor or just jack up the rear end? Is the adjustment made with the E-brake on (my guess is yes) or off?

Thanks,
~Rob

 

The procedure described in the FSM is to pull the rotor, measure the inside of the rotor, transfer that measurement minus 1/64" to the outside of the parking brake drums diagonally from the top of one shoe to the bottom of the other, then turn the star adjuster to make the shoes fit. There is, of course, a special tool for the measurements, but it just looks like a slide caliper capable of inside and outside measurements to me.

It sounds like maybe the parking brake shoe is loose inside your rotor; they're held on, it looks like, with a standard sort of shoe retainer you see on brake shoes all the time.

 

Thanks Jim,
In 6 months when I get into maintenance mode again, I will look into it
Just kidding, the noise is driving me crazy. Maybe next weekend I will pull the rotors again and check things out. My buddy suggested I fix it like I did my dirtbike (long story short: don't spray the pad contact area of disc brakes with WD-40) . I like your suggestion better.
Also, my next purchase is going to be the FSM If I ever get up that way, I owe you an adult beverage (and I believe you were going to introduce me to "real" BBQ ).

~Rob

 

Mods,
Would you kindly move this to the proper section.

Thanks,
~illiterateRob

 

I have the FSM in pdf format, so if you want I can print off those two or three pages to a smaller pdf and e-mail them. If you had to bang on those rotors to get them off that might have knocked something loose.

If you do make it up here, there are at least three barbecue joints you have to visit for their particular specialties. One has the best handmade sausage, another has great beef and the best sauces, and a third has killer beans. Of course, that provides an excellent excuse to eat lots of barbecue... <Insert Smiley rubbing belly>

Jim

 

I had a simular noise an today found it was the drive shaft support bearing. Just food for thought.
scotte

 

scotte,
Do you mean the carrier bearing? If so, I don't have one of those on my shortbed. I haven't ruled out a u-joint though.

Thanks,
Rob

 

Ya that's what i was talkin about.
Try puttin it on jack stands and turning the wheel, that is how i found the bad bearing only i used my new lift. Sorry i just put it in yesterday, i feel like a proud daddy.

 

A lift!!! That's not fair
Nice pics, "daddy".



~Rob

 

After many months of putting up with the metallic sound, I finally got it fixed. 2 months ago I replaced the u-joints in the drive shaft but that did not fix the issue. The other day I took the truck to the dealer for a warranty water pump replacement. While it was there, I had them inspect for the noise and requested they fix it. They took apart the parking brake assembly and found a bunch of rocks and debris in it (according to the paperwork). Well, whatever they did worked. No more of what sounded like a brake pad dragging on the rotor.


~happyRob

 

Well you almost stuck to your word. Only took you 4 months instead of 6.

 

Yeah, I'm more efficient (especially when someone else is doing the work)

~Rob