Fingers Crossed...Brake Squeal Resolved

[Billet1500 4x4]

I am new to the forum. I found this forum because I was searching for 2019 RAM brake issues. This is extremely discouraging to read through. Last fall (Fall of 2018) my company purchased 2 2019 RAM 1500's. I drive one daily (my daily driver) as well as employees of the company for some hauling and to run errands etc... My Father drives the other as his daily driver. I have 34K on my truck and have only experienced the first thing in the morning (typically in humid/wet conditions) brake noise. Although it is very annoying and I feel it shouldn't happen it goes right away. My Father has 17K on his truck and has experienced both the early morning issue as well as his truck is now squealing extremely loudly. So today it went to the dealer for the first time. On the way back from the dealer it seemed the squeal was far, far worse and more often. The dealer claims to have changed pad, rotors and calipers. My Sister (who is not very mechanical) was the one who drove the truck the 40 minutes to the dealer and back. She thinks they just did the rears as that's where it sounded like the noise was coming from. It seems to me by reading on the internet that RAM should at this point have a fix for this issue. This is absurd, I hate to think that we are only starting a long list of trips back and forth to the dealer. Once my Sister arrived back from the dealership we immediately called and were told to bring it back in (trip 2). They said that they would give us a loaner vehicle. We told them it needs to be a truck (we actually buy trucks because we use them as trucks). They said it was out of their control and would supply us most likely with a car.

My father made the comment that it's pretty embarrassing when you pull into a restaurant or shopping mall or up to a stop light in your new $69,000 truck and everyone is looking at you because it's so loud! On top of this I feel like an *** because he was literally was ready to pull the trigger on a 2019 New Gen GMC Denali. He had a 2015 Denali before this truck and a 2011 Ford Platinum before that. He put almost 100K miles on both of those trucks before with ZERO issues. We have always had GMC's and a few Ford's for 35+ years with near ZERO issues. He drove the RAM and was impressed with the design, fit and finish, power and so on. This is the latest problem on his rig. The screen has malfunctioned numerous times and stopped working. The Sensors appear to screw up occasionally (maily in the front) as the brakes on a few occasions on the Highway have signaled to stop and nearly locked the brakes up going down the highway. The power running boards (driver side) has stopped working multiple times. It has stuck up and also stuck down (it is not in the programming in the screen, this was verified). He did have this same thing happen with his Ford Platinum but at 90K miles and Ford covered parts. So of course I am getting a lot of crap from him. Hearing how he told me as he says "Dodge is junk! They're no good". I changed his mind and he was impressed in the begining but I have a feeling this truck is headed to the GMC dealer in the near future as a trade in.

My truck has not gone without issues either. There is an air dam apparently that opens and closes depending on speed etc... as you go down the highway. That has malfunctioned on me multiple times and am awaiting a call from the dealer to replace it all together. My steering wheel needs to be replaced as the outer layer or skin is pealing off. When I drive my hands literally turn black. My screen/stereo has also gone out multiple times. Though it usually self corrects fairly quickly it is annoying (my 2016 GMC also did this occasionally). The passengers seat has an extremely annoying squeak in it if anyone over 150 pounds sits in it (taking it back for this when it goes in for steering wheel and air dam replacement). The drivers rear door sounds like it's going to fall off or something inside of it has fallen off. It makes a terrible noise every time I open or close it. The drivers door has a black "guide rod" I guess I would call it and it is literally falling off and appears to be wearing out the bolt hole (I tightened it up when I noticed it but it keeps coming loose). Another extremely annoying thing (nothing wrong as the truck is supposed to do this but it is annoying) is when the truck is in reverse and the rear park sensors are on you can't back up by a blade of grass without getting whiplash! This is far to aggressive in my opinion. I have a very gentle slope in my driveway down to the main road. I literally can not back down the slight little incline with it on. It locks the brakes up every time. So I shut it off backing out. But with the RAM when you shut it off and cycle the key again it stays off. So naturally I forget to turn it back on and it won't work when I actually need it. Is this a setting I can change does anyone know? My 2016 GMC you could shut it off but once the key was cycled it always defaulted back to being on. I thought that to be a bit annoying when I had the GMC. However I would much rather that way vs. the RAM.

With all the above being said I really like the RAM a lot (at least mine). My Father I would say is not feeling the same way at this point. It has good power. The Transmission I am thoroughly impressed with and this seems to be the biggest complaint I've ever heard about Mopar is transmissions. The HEMI pulls good and gets great fuel mileage which really surprised me. It rides great. The fit and finish are good for the most part. Need to work on a few things but who doesn't. The screen is fast and easy to use (I have the smaller screen in my truck). Overall I like the truck. Just a few discouraging things and odd ball issues (at least with mine) that we don't typically see with our Fords and GMCs. So far RAM and the dealer have stepped up. But after reading this I'm pretty concerned about this brake issue.

There was a software update for rear parking sensors to improve the sensitivity and false break alerts. The first one was issued in May 2018 which depending on when your truck was built it may already have this update from the factory, however another flash was issued May of this year that is also related to the parktronic module. You can see if either one or both of these apply to your truck and it might remedy your issue.

 

[Robbie2003]

There was a software update for rear parking sensors to improve the sensitivity and false break alerts. The first one was issued in May 2018 which depending on when your truck was built it may already have this update from the factory, however another flash was issued May of this year that is also related to the parktronic module. You can see if either one or both of these apply to your truck and it might remedy your issue.

Thanks for this. It is going in for service shortly. I checked the build date and it is 9/18. I will look into the newest update. I appreciate it.

 

[Edwards]

Just got mine back from the dealer fix for this. I sat on it a long time as it was just a very small Wookie.

The work order states they installed a "moan brake kit" which appears to be "Caliper Support Brackets, 68446866AA". I'll find out in the morning if it's been exorcised.

 

[Edwards]

I can't recall ever laughing this hard under a vehicle on a creeper before.

Was under today installing my Hellwig sway bar and happened to glance at a shiny new part on my axle. I bust out laughing at the sheer backwoods engineering of the "brake moan kit."


It consists of a U-bolt around the axle, and two heavy steel brackets that apparently reinforce the brake assembly position. I'm not as confident in my rear brakes as I was before I saw this. These are Ram's biggest 1500 brakes ever and they vibrate as built necessitating this addition?

I'm still laughing.

 

[MattF]

Holy cow that is Fred Flintstone-ish... !! Mine goes in next week now that "RAM engineered the solution" - That is gut busting hilarious !

Thanks for sharing

Matt

I can't recall ever laughing this hard under a vehicle on a creeper before.

Was under today installing my Hellwig sway bar and happened to glance at a shiny new part on my axle. I bust out laughing at the sheer backwoods engineering of the "brake moan kit."
View attachment 31915

It consists of a U-bolt around the axle, and two heavy steel brackets that apparently reinforce the brake assembly position. I'm not as confident in my rear brakes as I was before I saw this. These are Ram's biggest 1500 brakes ever and they vibrate as built necessitating this addition?

I'm still laughing.

 

[Billet1500 4x4]

I can't recall ever laughing this hard under a vehicle on a creeper before.

Was under today installing my Hellwig sway bar and happened to glance at a shiny new part on my axle. I bust out laughing at the sheer backwoods engineering of the "brake moan kit."
View attachment 31915

It consists of a U-bolt around the axle, and two heavy steel brackets that apparently reinforce the brake assembly position. I'm not as confident in my rear brakes as I was before I saw this. These are Ram's biggest 1500 brakes ever and they vibrate as built necessitating this addition?

I'm still laughing.

Yeah that's TSB #3 for the brake issue, which is the cheap shade tree mechanic fix. I got mine done during TSB #2 which was new adapter brackets that carry the caliper, no moan and no u bolts around the axle tube.

 

[Edwards]

Yeah that's TSB #3 for the brake issue, which is the cheap shade tree mechanic fix. I got mine done during TSB #2 which was new adapter brackets that carry the caliper, no moan and no u bolts around the axle tube.

So you're saying that TSB #2 is the more professional fix?

 

[Billet1500 4x4]

So you're saying that TSB #2 is the more professional fix?

Yeah, but more costly, that's why ram went to fix #3. Fix #1 was the most expensive, they basically replaced everything using the shotgun approach. Then they figured out which parts were the problem and #2 came out. Then they figured out the cheapest way to fix the issue was brackets and a u bolt. I think all 3 TSBs issued are listed on the TSB thread and when you read through them each one is less parts and less time than the one before it.

 

[duke2001]

So I wonder why some vehicles built about the same time do not have this issue, at least not yet? For example, my Limited built 6/18 has not exhibited this problem.

 

[Edwards]

So I wonder why some vehicles built about the same time do not have this issue, at least not yet? For example, my Limited built 6/18 has not exhibited this problem.

No idea. Mine was built 3 months later and did moan almost every morning backing out. This has fixed it. Just not pretty to look at.

 

[duke2001]

No idea. Mine was built 3 months later and did moan almost every morning backing out. This has fixed it. Just not pretty to look at.

It really is weird, though. You would think it would be consistent. And you would think an older unit like mine would have the problem. Maybe FCA uses different suppliers for same parts and one supplier did not build according to design. Will probably never know.

 

[jageo]

I am taking my truck to the dealer on Wednesday. My brakes have been squeaking with light brake pressure. I am at 3200 miles. I have not heard the issue with the back brakes, at least not yet. The service advisor admitted there are problems with the 2919 Ram brakes, so hopefully I’m off to a good start. My truck also drifts to the left so I I have to hold the steering wheel right much of the time. I am having the alignment looked at as well. It shouldn’t do that this quickly, right?

 

[RamCares]

I am taking my truck to the dealer on Wednesday. My brakes have been squeaking with light brake pressure. I am at 3200 miles. I have not heard the issue with the back brakes, at least not yet. The service advisor admitted there are problems with the 2919 Ram brakes, so hopefully I’m off to a good start. My truck also drifts to the left so I I have to hold the steering wheel right much of the time. I am having the alignment looked at as well. It shouldn’t do that this quickly, right?

Hi jageo,

Sorry to hear of the trouble you are experiencing with your truck. If you’d like an additional layer of assistance as you work with your dealer, please do not hesitate to send us a private message. We would be happy to escalate a case on your behalf and connect you with a Case Specialist who could work alongside your dealer to find a potential solution.

Mark
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[jageo]

Hi jageo,

Sorry to hear of the trouble you are experiencing with your truck. If you’d like an additional layer of assistance as you work with your dealer, please do not hesitate to send us a private message. We would be happy to escalate a case on your behalf and connect you with a Case Specialist who could work alongside your dealer to find a potential solution.

Mark
Ram Social Care Specialist

Hi jageo,

Sorry to hear of the trouble you are experiencing with your truck. If you’d like an additional layer of assistance as you work with your dealer, please do not hesitate to send us a private message. We would be happy to escalate a case on your behalf and connect you with a Case Specialist who could work alongside your dealer to find a potential solution.

Mark
Ram Social Care Specialist

I sent a message through contact us. Is there a better way to open a case? I’m new to the forum and not entirely sure how to send a private message.

 

[Blackhawktech]

I think (praying and crossing fingers) that the brake squeal on my truck has been resolved, once and for all, after 4 times to the dealer.

I had the same brake squealing that A LOT of people have been complaining about. Typically happened with light press of the brake going between 45-70 mph, but there was also plenty of other times it made noise outside those conditions. For whatever reason mine seemed to be the loudest the hotter and dryer it was outside.

The first trip to the dealership there was a lot of brake dust so they just cleaned the rotors and pads, and bedded the brakes. They drove it, but didn't hear the sound after that. Naturally, on my way home they started squealing.

The second trip to the dealership they resurfaced the rotors and scuffed up the pads to get rid of any glazing, and bedded them again. Again when they drove it afterwards they said they didn't hear any noise. However, the brakes squealed on the way home from the dealership.

The third trip to the dealership they were squealing loud, but they thought it was the rear brakes. They got Ram to send new rotors and pads to replace the rear brakes. They bedded the brakes, didn't hear any noise, but again I heard the noise on my drive home.

I always thought the sound was from the front passenger brake, but a friend thought it was the rear, so when they thought it was the rear, I assumed they knew what they were talking about. Once the sound continued after the rears were replaced, I pushed them to replace the front pads and rotors.

I saw on this site and others that there were new brake pads that Ram was starting to use, so I showed the picture of the difference in pads to the service department. They were unaware of the change in pads, so they contacted Ram and they sent them new rotors and pads for the front.

They were replaced on Friday, and so far no noise. I've driven several places where they would squeal almost 100% of the time, and no noise. I have less than 100 miles on them, so time will tell, but the more I drive with them the more confident I get that the new pads/rotors have resolved the issue.

For those that have the noise, don't let the dealer tell you it's normal. I know some brake noise is normal, but this noise was not normal. I've attached the picture that I got from this site that I showed my service department (thank you for whoever originally posted it).
Attached Thumbnails

They replaced the front pads on mine and my brakes stopped squealing!

 

[jageo]

I sent a message through contact us. Is there a better way to open a case? I’m new to the forum and not entirely sure how to send a private message.

Nevermind, I called RamCare directly and had a case opened. Thanks!

 

[Billet1500 4x4]

They replaced the front pads on mine and my brakes stopped squealing!

Don't get too excited, they replaced my front pads, squealing stopped for a few weeks and is now back but very intermittent, goes back for pads and rotors thursday. The star case says to replace calipers too, but most dealers don't. General consensus is pads and rotors fixes it. Hopefully pads alone takes care of your issue and you don't have to back for the same issue

 

[RamCares]

Nevermind, I called RamCare directly and had a case opened. Thanks!

Hi jageo,

Glad to hear you were able to get a case created with our Customer Care Team! If you are in need of any additional assistance, please do not hesitate to let us know. For future reference, you can send us a private message by clicking on our username and then once you do so you’ll see the option to ‘Start a Conversation’.

Mark
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[50Front]

Don't get too excited, they replaced my front pads, squealing stopped for a few weeks and is now back but very intermittent, goes back for pads and rotors thursday. The star case says to replace calipers too, but most dealers don't. General consensus is pads and rotors fixes it. Hopefully pads alone takes care of your issue and you don't have to back for the same issue

They did pads and rotors on mine and its been quiet for 3000 miles so far. Hopefully it does the trick for you too.

 

[Billet1500 4x4]

They did pads and rotors on mine and its been quiet for 3000 miles so far. Hopefully it does the trick for you too.

First dealer only did the pads. Took it to a different dealers and he said that usually doesn't fix it and that pads and rotors together usually does. Unfortunately it required getting Ram cares involved to get authorization but Ram cares did a great job working with the second dealer to get everything sorted. Hopefully after Thursday my brake issue will be solved for good.