Kevin,
Thank you for taking the time to e-mail us with your comments about the brake design on the Dakota trucks. We appreciate your feedback and constructive criticism.
While you have certainly had brake concerns and repairs with your vehicle, the brake system and design of the Dakota, in general, has been successful, with relatively few complaints from our customers, dealers and engineers. The brake system was designed for this particular truck, and it more reflective of safety and automotive engineering than any other factor. As such, the design from 1997 remains relatively unchanged.
Thanks again for your e-mail. The time and effort you took to communicate your opinion is appreciated. It is helpful in providing the greatest possible satisfaction for customers.
Paul Oster
Senior Staff Representative
DaimlerChrysler Customer Assistance Center
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------- Original Message --------
From: ked@iti-oh.com
Date: 07/18/00 16:53:23
Form Selected:
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Customer Type: Owner
Category: VehicleComments
Sub Category: Current Chrysler Vehicles
Brief Description:
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Design of front brake calipers on Dakota
Comments:
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I would like to begin by stating that I am generally very satisfied with my vehicle, a 1997 Dakota CC with 5sp and V6. However, I do have a comment/question about the design of the front brake calipers on this vehicle. I have found many, many postings on the internet from owners who have had repeated front rotor warpage problems. Unfortunately, my truck started to show this problem at about 20k miles or so. The lug nuts have been installed exclusively by a proper torque wrench ever since I bought the vehicle (new), and I rarely carry a large payload or tow. However, at 20k my rotors were so warped that applying the brakes caused severe vibration in the entire truck. I had the dealer machine the rotors, and about 20k miles later, they warped... again. This time, I replaced the rotors with new ones from an aftermarket supplier - and now, about 20k miles later, they're warping - again. I personally replaced the rotors
at 40k, and I was very surprised to see the desi gn of the front calipers. It appears that the outboard brake pad is FIXED, and does not move at all! The inboard pad is pressed outwards, against the
inner side of the rotor. Unless I am mistaken (I have a bachelor of
science in mechanical engineering), it seems that either (A) the outboard pad never really gets used, and the rotors warp from heat generation and pressure on only one side, or (B) the rotor actually FLEXES outward slightly when the brakes are applied, causing warpage. In any case, this seems to be a very poor design. I would like to obtain some sort of feedback as to the reasoning for this design - is it more economic? I certainly cannot see any functional advantages. I might add that the brake pads show very little wear, ESPECIALLY the outboard ones... with a manual transmission, I'd expect the pads to have a long life, but it does appear that the inboard pads are doing the majority of the braking. I would also like to know if this design has been changed on newer model Dakotas? I hope very much to buy a new Dakota when the time comes - if it has a decent front brake design. Otherwise, I may look elsewhere. It is simply absurd to have to machine or replace my brak!
e rotors every 20k miles!
Sincerely,
Kevin Davidson
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