How to Change Rear Brakes on a 2002 Chrysler 300M

The Chrysler 300M has deeper roots than just its 1999 introduction. The 300 lineup actually dates back to the 1955 model year when the 300 no letter after the number debuted. Originally, Chrysler designed the 300 to be a muscle car, and its 300-horsepower Hemi engine was the most powerful of the era. As time went on, the 300 series got larger and less muscular, and Chrysler eliminated it in 1972. The 2002 300M, three years after its reintroduction, came standard with rear disc brakes. Thanks to the parking brake system using a separate set of brake shoes, changing the rear brakes on the 2002 300M requires no special tools.

Instructions

1

Loosen the lug nuts on the rear wheels, using a ratchet and socket. Lift the rear of the 300M with a floor jack and slide jack stands under its rear cross member. Lower the Chrysler onto the jack stands. Remove the lug nuts and pull the wheels from the rear hubs.

2

Remove the two caliper guide pins with a ratchet and socket. Pivot the top of the caliper from the caliper bracket, then lift the caliper from the lower abutment on the bracket. Hang the caliper from a nearby suspension component, using a bungee strap.

3

Pry one side of the outer brake pads retaining clip upward with a flat-head screwdriver and pull that side of the pad out of the caliper until the retaining clip is free from its groove in the caliper. Repeat this step on the other side of the retaining clip, then remove the pad.

4

Position a drain pan under the caliper and position an 8-inch C-clamp over the caliper, so its fixed side contacts the rear of the caliper and its screw portion contacts the inner brake pad. Loosen the bleeder valve the 1/4-inch metal valve on the rear of the caliper with a combination wrench. Immediately begin tightening the C-clamp until the pad stops moving. Tighten the bleeder valve.

5

Pull the inner brake pad from the caliper. Notice it has small metal fingers that secure it in the caliper piston.

6

Remove the circular rotor-retaining clips from the lug studs, if applicable, using needle-nose pliers. Discard these clips, as they are only required for initial assembly of the vehicle. Pull the rotor from the rear hub, using caution so as not to disturb the parking brake shoes.

7

Inspect the rotor for any visual defects, including grind marks, deep grooves, hot spotting, cracks or a mirror-like shine. If any defects exist, replace the rotor with a new one.

8

Slide the rotor onto the rear hub.

9

Align the metal fingers on the rear of the inner brake pad with the cavity in the caliper piston. Press the pad toward the caliper piston until it contacts the caliper. Set the outer brake pad so its metal retaining clip aligns with the outer body of the caliper. Press the pad downward until the metal retaining clip seats in its grooves on the caliper.

10

Set the lower part of the caliper onto its bracket first the pads have a groove in which the lower part of the caliper bracket seats. Pivot the top of the caliper toward the bracket until it seats into place. Hand-thread the caliper guide pins, then torque them to 16 foot-pounds with a torque wrench and socket.

11

Repeat steps 2 through 10 to replace the brakes on the other side of the 300M.

12

Reinstall the rear wheels onto the rear hubs and hand-tighten the lug nuts. Raise the Chrysler off the jack stands with the floor jack and remove the jack stands. Lower the vehicle to the ground and tighten the lug nuts, in a crisscross pattern, to 100 foot-pounds.

13

Press and release the brake pedal until it feels firm, then check the fluid level in the master cylinder reservoir. If the level is below the Max line, unscrew the cap from the master cylinder reservoir and add new DOT 3 brake fluid to the reservoir until the level reaches the Max line. Tighten the cap onto the master cylinder reservoir.

14

Take all of the old brake fluid in the drain pan to a nearby automotive fluid recycler. Many auto parts stores provide this recycling service free of charge.