How to Change the Brake Pads for a 2000 Town & Country

Disc brakes work by squeezing a pair of pads against a rotor to slow the car. Over time, the pads wear down. The brake pads of a 2000 Chrysler Town & Country should be inspected every 15,000 miles or whenever problems are suspected. If any one brake pad is thinner than .313 inches, they should all be replaced.

Instructions

1

Loosen the lug nuts on the front end's wheels with a lug wrench. Lift the front corner of the van with a jack, and place the jack stands under the frame. Lower the vehicle onto the jack stands, and remove the wheels.

2

Unscrew the caliper guide bolts on one side. These two bolts are on the outside of the brake assembly.

3

Slide the caliper upward off the rotor, and suspend it with a piece of wire so it's not hanging by the brake line.

4

Pry the metal clip off of the outer brake pad with a flathead screwdriver. Remove the pad.

5

Pull the inner brake pad out of the cylinder. It will pop out when pulled firmly.

6

Compress the caliper piston with a C-clamp. Protect the head of the piston with a scrap piece of wood.

7

Pop the inner brake pad into the caliper. Slide the outer pad into place. The metal clip should hold it firmly in place.

8

Slide the caliper back into place, and install with the bolts removed earlier. Torque the bolts to 195 pound-inches or 17 pound-feet with a torque wrench.

9

Repeats Steps 2 through 8 for the other side of the vehicle.

10

Reinstall the wheels, and replace the lug nuts, screwing them on hand-tight. Raise the vehicle off of the jack stands with the jack, and remove the jack stands. Lower the vehicle to the ground, and torque the lug nuts to 95 pound-feet. Pump the brakes until the pedal feels normal. Add brake fluid to the reservoir if necessary.