How to Change the Brakes on a 1994 Caravan

One of the most important safety features on your 1994 Dodge Caravan is the braking system. Over the course of time, your brake pads wear down. This can cause the brakes to become less effective in slowing your minivan down, or even cause the brakes to fail, which can lead to a serious accident. Like many vehicles, the caravan uses two types of brakes: drum brakes on the rear wheels, and disc brakes on the front wheels. Replacing the brake pads on your Caravan is a project that you can complete with the proper tools and knowledge.

Instructions

Rear Drum Brakes

1

Park the Caravan on flat ground. Place the van in "Park" and engage the emergency brake.

2

Jack up the rear of the van. Place a jack stand underneath the outer frame on each side, and slowly lower the van onto the jack stands.

3

Remove the lug nuts and take the rear tires off of the van.

4

Remove the rubber plug on the back of the wheel hub and slide a flat-head screwdriver through the slot. Rotate the sprocket inside the hub with an upwards motion.

5

Pry the dust cover and dust cover washer off of the front of the brake drum with a screwdriver.

6

Pull the cotter pin from the front of the axle hub with a pair a pliers and take the nut lock off of the axle stub, followed by the washer and the bearing.

7

Slide the brake drum off of the wheel hub.

8

Disconnect the springs on the top of the brake with a brake spring removal tool.

9

Slide the auto-adjuster cable off the top of the brake.

10

Disconnect the springs that connect the brake shoes at the bottom of the brake.

11

Take the adjuster assembly off of the brake (this is the sprocket that you rotated in Step 4).

12

Disconnect the spring retainer washer by pressing up on the nail head that is located on the back of the brake and twisting the spring retainer washer with a pair of pliers.

13

Disconnect the parking brake lever from the secondary brake shoes, and lift the brake shoes off of the brake.

14

Install the new brake shoes and re-assemble the brakes by reversing the steps you took to disassemble them.

Front Disc Brakes

15

Park the Caravan on flat ground. Place the van in "Park" and engage the emergency brake.

16

Jack up the front of the van. Place a jack stand underneath the outer frame on each side, and slowly lower the van onto the jack stands.

17

Remove the lug nuts and take the front tires off of the van.

18

Remove the threaded caliper guide pin with a socket wrench.

19

Press up on the front edge of the caliper to loosen the adhesive seals and slowly lift the caliper off of the rotor. Support the caliper with a piece of wire connected to the wheel hub.

20

Slide the brake pads (beginning with the outer pad) from the adapters.

21

Slide the new brake pads (inner pad first) back into position.

22

Lower the caliper back into position over the pads and rotor. If you need to retract the piston, place a small piece of wood over the piston and slowly compress it with a C-clamp.

23

Bleed the brakes.

24

Place the tires back on the minivan and lower it back onto the ground.