Change Brake Pads on a Dodge Grand Caravan
Having good brakes is an essential part of vehicle safety. Over time, your brake pads wear out and need to be replaced. You should check your brake pads at the earliest sign of wear to avoid brake failure and damage to the rotors. This article will tell you how to change brake pads on a Dodge Grand Caravan.
Contents
Steps
Front Brake Pads (Disc Brakes)
- Loosen the lug nuts and remove the wheel caps, if necessary, with a socket wrench.
- Place wheel chocks or large blocks of wood behind the rear wheels so the car does not roll when lifted by the jack.
- Lift your Caravan with a jack and jack stand. Place them under the spot the engine is mounted or on the front rail.
- Remove the lug nuts and tires with the socket wrench and pull out the two primary caliper bolts.
- Examine the bolts to determine if they are different sizes. Note where each bolt came from if they are different. Put them in a safe place to put back later.
- Slide the caliper and brake pad set off the rotor. You may have to jiggle the parts a little to remove them.
- Use string or a coat hanger to secure the caliper to the strut spring so the brake lines are not damaged by the caliper.
- Take off the outer brake pad from the caliber covering. Use a screwdriver to pry off any retaining tabs. Take the inner pad spring clip out of the caliper's piston.
- Use a C-clamp and an old pad braced against the caliper piston to compress it. Slowly tighten the clamp until the piston is completely compressed. (Newer Dodge Caravan - may be a ratchet style piston and have to turn them in with special tool)
- Clean the metal surface of the adapter where the brake pad tabs and caliper covering meet and apply a light coat of silicone lubricant to the cleaned area.
- Inspect the rotor for damage. You will to replace the rotor if there's any pitting or warping.
- Place the new inner pad and spring into the caliper piston. Install the outer pad to the caliper covering and ensure the retaining clips have the pads in the proper positions.
- Unhook the caliper from the strut and put the caliper and pads back over the rotor. Check the brake hose to make sure it is not twisted or crimped.
- Lubricate the unthreaded part of each caliper bolt. Align the caliper and replace the bolts.
- Put the tire and lug nuts back on with a torque wrench, using a star pattern.
- Repeat these steps for the front brakes on the other side. Bleed your brakes once both sides are completed, starting with the wheel farthest from the brake master cylinder. Bleeding is not necessary as long as the brake hoses have not been removed and the master cylinder remains full. Compressing the piston does not introduce air into the system. Compressing the piston will raise the level of fluid in the reservoir of the master cylinder sometimes to the point of spilling over. A rag placed under the master will catch spills and make clean-up easier. Use a clean rag to soak up any extra fluid in the reservoir to the max fill level.
- Pump your Grand Caravan's brake pedal until it feels firm. If the pedal sinks completely to the floor, check the brake fluid level. Add more fluid if needed and bleed your brakes again.
- Repeat brake bleeding with each wheel. You may have to bleed and pump the brakes several times until the air is out.
A Word About Rear Brake Pads (or Shoes)
- Most Dodge Grand Caravans have rear drum brakes. If you have a newer Grand Caravan, the rear brakes can be disc brakes. Follow the directions in the first section.
- In older Caravans, the rear braking system is always drum brakes. Drum brakes are very complicated and require specialized tools. Take your car to a qualified mechanic if your rear brakes need to be serviced.
Warnings
- Read these directions first before trying to do your brakes. Do not attempt to repair your own brakes if you feel uncomfortable with any step. Bring your car to a qualified mechanic instead.
Things You'll Need
- Jack and jack stand
- Wheel chocks or large piece of wood
- Socket wrenches and a socket set
- Torque wrench and sockets
- C-clamp
- String or metal hanger
- Flat-head screwdriver
- Brake pad replacement set
- Wire brush
