How to Remove Brake Pads From a 2006 Dodge Ram

The 2006 Dodge Ram uses a dual-piston floating caliper with the brake shoes mounted in the caliper-mounting bracket. It is always advisable to machine or replace the rotors when replacing brake pads. As brake pads and rotors interact they become grooved due to the elements becoming trapped between them. New pads are smooth, and will ride on top of the grooves, resulting in less brake surface.

Instructions

1

Loosen the lug nuts one turn on each of the front wheels using the lug wrench. Raise the truck with the floor jack and place jack stands under the frame. Lower the truck so it rests on the stands. Remove the lug nuts and the wheels.

2

Loosen the caliper bleeder screw one turn on the top of the caliper using a wrench. Pry the caliper piston into its bore by inserting the screwdriver through the slot in the top of the caliper and between the inner brake pad and the rotor. Pry the pad away from the rotor, which in turn will force the piston back into its bore. Close and tighten the bleeder screw.

3

Remove the two caliper mounting bolts using a socket. Lift the caliper off the rotor and suspend it from the coil spring, using a suitable piece of wire. Remove the pads from the mounting bracket by sliding them sideways. Notice there is a C-shaped metal spring on each end of the pad's contact surface on the mounting bracket. New springs come with the new pads.

4

Remove the old springs on the mounting bracket and install the new spring clips. Install the new pads by sliding them into the mounting bracket flanges and squeeze both pads against the rotor with your hand.

5

Lower the caliper over the brake pads and align the holes in the caliper with those in the mounting bracket. Install the two mounting bolts and tighten them to 24 foot-pounds. Install the wheel and lug nuts. Tighten the lug nuts with the lug wrench. Lower the truck and torque the lug nuts to 110 foot-pounds of torque.

6

Lift the hood and locate the brake master cylinder located on the driver's side firewall. Remove the cap from the reservoir and fill it with Dot 3 brake fluid to the maximum mark on the side of the reservoir. Replace the cap. Start the truck and slowly pump the brake pedal 10 times before attempting to move it.