Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) New brakes?

[snowracer69]

I went and bought Raybestos semi-metallic pads today to replace the front pads on my truck. I will be doing this in the morning. The one thing I'm a little worried about is the two bolts that hold the caliper on... it seems that there's some controversey about what size of bit to use in getting it off... .



Does anybody know what size it is???



Also, is it pretty straight forward as far as changing these out? Roughly comparable to a Drof or Chebby? Done pads on them other ones a quite a few times, never on a Dodge though.



Thanks for any help. Josh.

 

[snowracer69]

ok...

since nobody seems to have changed their brakes before (and yes, I did searches and couldn't find the info I wanted), how about the rotors?



What does it take to get the rotors off to take them and have them turned? Not too difficult I assume?



Thanks, Josh.

 

[Jim Brewer]

Hi,



I changed my front pads about a month ago and it is a pretty simple process. I'm sorry I can't remember the size for the caliper hanger bolts.



I was thinking I could just pull out the pads without taking off the slider pins which go between the caliper halves, but I was wrong. It's VERY much easier to

1) take the caliper off

2) use some type of clamping/spreading device to push the

piston back into the caliper -- with my worn out pads, the

piston was sticking out quite a ways

3) remove the slider pins being careful not to mess up the

rubber covers

4) insert the new pads -- probably with new backing plates



That's it. It took me about 30 minutes for the first caliper, then once I figured out to take the pins out, it took about 10 minutes for the second.



Good luck!



-Jim

 

[snowracer69]

thanks

Jim,



Thanks for the reply... doesn't sound like it'll take me too much. Hopefully have them done by 10:00 AM tomorrow morning starting at 8. Thanks for the help.



Josh.

 

[rkressg]

Easier than a Chubby



You need a 47 torx or a 45 torx (I can not remember which one). I also think you need a 15 or a 18 mm 6p socket. Push the puck back. Unbolt the calIper, pull it out and use a cable tie to hang it off the spring. Pull out the outside pad. Remove the large metal bracket that the caliper rests in. These bolts will be very tight. Pull off bracket, replace inner pads. Reinstall the metal bracket and tighten bolts. Recompress the pucks on the caliper. KEEP AN EYE ON THE BRAKE FLUID RESIVOR, BREAK FLUID CAN COME OUT OF IT WHEN YOU PUSH THE PUCK BACK. IT IS VERY CORROSIVE AND WILL REMOVE PAINT. Easiest done with an old pad and a large c-clamp. Set outside pad in bracket, wiggle in caliper. Tighten up bolts and replace the wheel Oo.



It is dificult to find a shop that will turn rotors on our trucks. They must have a very large laythe to turn them. It is going to be easier for you to just buy new rotors. Your best bet is (Unless they are warped) is to lightly sand off your rotors. You should be able to get 2 or 3 sets of pads out of them. The calipers are held in by bolts on the inside. They will be very tight. Look inside, behind the rotor and you will see the bolts. Remove the bolts and those little clips on the studs (If they are still on the studs). The rotor will come right off. This has to be done with the caliper and retaining bracket removed.



Good Luck.

Rich

 

[snowracer69]

Rich

Rich,



Thank you very much for the detailed post, unfortunately, it came to late for me... . I started on my brakes this morning at 9:00, and finally had the drivers side done at 10:00. Took me that long to finger out that there was no reason to remove the bracket, that the caliper can just be pulled out. The second one took me 15 minutes. I didn't have my rotors turned... they looked good to me (yeah, like that means anything) and I didn't feel like working any longer to try to get the bracket off (which is a 16mm, 12 point socket), and the torx bolt is a size 47 (that's what fit for me at least).



Now I have new pads, and it didn't cost me that much. Been working on too many brakes though... my roommate broke a line on his car while doing the brakes last night, so now I got to help him fix it. No big deal though, just a little time.



Thanks again for the help. Josh