I hear grinding from my rear brakes? What should I replace? pads, rotor, drums, etc..

[Arkitech]

In the last few days when I brake I hear a grinding noise from the rear wheels. I called a local auto repair school in my area who will repair my brakes for no charge if I provide the parts (and donuts for the class ). But I'm not exactly sure what parts I need. I picked up brake pads from Autozone but I don't know if I need anything else.

I have a 2007 Dodge Caravan 4 cylinder. I tried looking around online to find specifications on the brake system, but I did'nt find much. In fact I'm probably more confused now as to what else needs to be placed. I don't know if I need brake shoes, calipers, rotors or drums.

Any suggestions on other parts I may need to have on hand for the repair?

 

[gw186]

First thing you need to do is figure out if you have disc brakes or drum brakes. You say you picked up pads which go with disc, drums take shoes. Just pop your head under the van or look through the wheel. Use Google if you don't know what disc or drum brakes look like.

 

[dawp]

they most likely will tell you what needs to be replaced. pads/shoes are a given, you may have to have the rotors/drums turned if they're not too worn or replaced if they are, hard to tell without tearing into it or at least removing the wheel.

 

[Doppel]

Look at all rotors and if you see a clear deterioration in one you know it's that, but the pads need to be changed also. It will be nigh impossible to look on the inside of the rotor from under the car, at least without a light and mirror, and that's in my limited experience more likely to go bad than the outside of the rotor.

 

[Meghan54]

According to Edmunds:

Front disc/rear drum brakes are standard, and ABS is optional on the SXT only.

So, looks like you have rear drum brakes. Now the question is have you damaged the drums to the point you'll have to replace them and that can only be answered by pulling the drums off and examining them.

 

[SuperSix]

Do you really want such a crucial safety system repaired by students?

Grinding indicates the pads/shoes are worn to metal - and very few mechanics/shops can/will turn drums, so you will probably have to replace them as well. Depending on the mileage, you should consider replacing the drum hardware (springs, clips, auto-adjusters). I usually do. A bit anal? Yes, but I don't spare much expense when rebuilding brakes.

 

[AlienCraft]

I just replaced both drums and pads on a 2005 scion xB with wheel cylinder replacement (1) and spring hardware R&R for 280.00 total, 100.00 labor and 180.00 parts.
Good for another 200,000 miles.