Repairing 2001-2007 Dodge Caravan Brake Pads and Rotors
User-Contributed Guide
An awesome member of our community made this guide. It is not managed by iFixit staff.
- Author: aelegg
- Difficulty: Moderate
This guide shows how easy it is for someone with little skills to easily change brake pads & rotors in a Minivan. 2 bolts, and all by hand afterwards.
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Step 1
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Brake Pads and Rotors
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It's a good idea to leave some weight on the tire as you start loosening the lug nuts; if they're tight, the car itself is holding the tire still for you.
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Make sure you have a jack supporting most of the weight before you attempt to remove the lug nuts. If you take them all the way off with the tire fully supporting the car you will have "issues".
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Step 2
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After jacking up the car PLACE JACK STAND(S) under the car for safety, THEN take off the wheel.
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Take a 13/16" socket and take off the bolt holding the entire caliper assembly to the car.
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Take the 13/16" socket and remove the lower bolt holding the caliper assembly to the vehicle.
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When reassembling the torque for these bolts is 126 ft lb.
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Be ready when the two bolts are backed out enough, as the caliper will be free to fall. The bolts don't have to come out all the way for the caliper to be free.
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You MUST not allow the brake line to be overstressed. Have a milk crate and wood ready to hold it up.
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Step 3
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Don't have your work light RIGHT up against the flimsy plastic of the splash-shroud. I was back and forth from the house for tools. Came out to a burning smell. VERY funny. When THIS is the worst thing that happens in your automotive project, you're doing OK.
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A little souvenir from the incident.
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And a little evidence left on the car.
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Step 4
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This is the caliper freed from the car and supported.
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One should take off the brake fluid resevoir cap, since later we'll be pushing old pads back, and raising the overall level.
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The cap itself says to clean it first.
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If the fluid has been "topped off" at any time, then one will have to pay attention to overflow during later steps. If the fluid hasn't been altered since new, then there should be no worries.
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Step 6
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The old pads now come out by hand. Some jiggling may be necessary, but in my application, I didn't even have to tap them with anything. The pads sit passively in little channels, and come out towards the inside. There should be little clips remaining.
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The new pads are thicker than the old, obviously.
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