How do I Replace the Rear Brake Drums on a 2005 Dodge Caravan?

The 2005 Dodge Caravan uses drum brakes to stop the rear tires from spinning when you press on the brake pedal. Drum brakes consist of three main parts: two brake shoes held on by two springs, and the brake drum held on by the wheel. When you complete a brake job on drum brakes, you replace both shoes and the drum. You need a specialized tool called a drum puller to remove the drum from the wheel hub. You can rent one from your local auto parts store.

Instructions

1

Loosen the lug nuts using the Caravan's tire iron.

2

Place a jack under the frame directly in front of the tire you want to remove. Raise the Caravan until you can place a jack stand under the frame in front of the jack. Lower the Caravan onto the jack stand.

3

Remove the lug nuts and pull the wheel off the wheel studs.

4

Place the fingers of the drum puller around the drum and position the threaded post in the center of the wheel hub. Place a socket and ratchet on the end of the threaded post and turn the ratchet clockwise to pull the drum brake off the hub and wheel studs.

5

Disconnect the springs from the brake shoes using a pair of needle-nose pliers. Lift the brake shoes off the wheel housing.

6

Place the new brake shoes onto the wheel housing. Secure them in place using the springs and your needle-nose pliers.

7

Slide the drum onto the wheel studs and center it on the wheel hub. Pound the drum onto the wheel hub using a rubber mallet until the back of the drum butts up against the brake shoes.

8

Remount the wheel on the wheel studs. Thread the lug nuts onto the wheel studs and tighten them lightly with the tire iron.

9

Raise the Caravan until you can remove the jack stand. Lower the vehicle to the ground and tighten all of the lug nuts with the tire iron.

10

Repeat the process on the other rear wheel of the Caravan.