Removal of front Breaks on 2004

[TKarnas]

Let me start out saying I have only owned my Dodge for 1 year.

I recently had my truck inspected and the garage said I had less than 1/2 pad life left. I went to pull the caliper off and see for myself. I removed the tire and looked at the caliper. To me it seems I need to press the pads in to be able to remove the caliper. Can any one tell me the process step by step to remove the front pads? I am used to a chevy truck system



Thanks

 

[jelag]

There are 2 bolts that hold the caliper to the assembly... . As I remember they are removed towards the center of the truck... once these 2 floater bolts are removed you can pry up the caliper from the bottom and remove it from the slot on the top... make sure that the rattle clip isn't lost... .

I don't know your mileage but most tire stores try to sell brakes long before they are due to be changed... my 04 went 160K miles before the first brake job... .

BTW - you can see the metal backing plate and the thickness of the pad from a window in the top of the caliper using a drop light or flash light... . the OE thickness of the pad was about 3/8" and the pad is bonded to the backing plate... so all of that 3/8" is service life... .

Remember if you go to change the pads to inspect the boots that go between the piston and the caliper and service the caliper if these boots are damaged... . also open the bleeder and let the dirty brake fluid go to a container while you compress the piston back into the housing instead of sending that fluid back through the ABS and master cylinder...

Hope this answers your question...

 

[TKarnas]

Thank you... I was looking for the spec on the pads... I have 60K miles and about 1/2 the pad left. The pads were "galzed over" not sure if thats the correct wording... Thanks again

 

[TKarnas]

For the removal of the caliper do I need to first depress the pistons with a C Clamp. I picked up a Haines Manual and it shows a C Clamp going over the assembly and pressing the pads down. I have always pulled the caliper off and then pressed the pistons in on the chevy I have. . This will be the first set of breaks I do on the Dodge... Any other suggestions or hints?

 

[steved]

I pressed them in after I pulled the caliper off... I use one of the old pads because you need to squeeze both pistons at the same time.

 

[TKarnas]

Is there anything special on removing the caliper besides the two bolts in the back?

 

[steved]

Remove the two caliper slide bolts and pry the caliper up and out... might need to pry side-to-side a little to compress the caliper slightly to get it over any ridge that may be formed at the edge of the rotor, but that should be it.

 

[Scooby]

Take care when opening the bleeder screw as many have been known (mine) to break off which takes the brake job in a whole new direction!! It is worth doing the job correctly, though. Open the bleeders before compressing the pistons. You do NOT need to compress anything to take the old pads off - but you will to put new ones on!



I recently replaced all my rotos, brake pads and removed/replaced all the brake fluid as well. Have fun with it!

 

[Kry226]

I flush my brake fluid every two years, and IMHO, the brake fluid can be pushed back through the lines without worry in this condition.



However, due to the unknown regarding this truck, I'd flush all fluid, then change the pads.



YMMV.

 

[steved]

I just did the rear brakes tonight... as for the bleeder screw, here's and old timer's trick:



Take a small hammer and lightly tap the caliper near the bleeder screw (like your trying to tap the side of the bleeder screw)... this will help break the corrosion and allow you to remove the screw.



I pulled both of mine tonight, and got both bleeders out using this method. That's with 180k of PA weather and road salt...

 

[TKarnas]

ok thanks Ill try it as all have explained