How to Change the Front Brake Pads on a 2001 PT Cruiser

The Chrysler PT Cruiser was first introduced to North America in April of 2000. The 2001 PT Cruiser was produced with a 2.4-liter, in-line, 4-cylinder, dual overhead cam engine. The front brakes on the 2001 PT Cruiser were disc brakes, while the rear brakes were drum style brakes. The disc brakes on the 2001 PT Cruiser are made up of the calipers, pads, rotors, and brake lines. Proper lubrication of all brake parts during installation is essential to the smooth operation of the disc brakes.

Instructions

1

Remove the initial locking torque from the wheels by loosening the wheel nuts, while the PT Cruiser is on the ground. Lift the front of the PT Cruiser off the ground using a 2-ton jack or one with greater capacity. Place jack stands beneath the lower control arms on either side of the PT, to hold the vehicle up for the duration of this project. Place wheel chocks behind the rear two tires of the PT Cruiser.

2

Remove the tire and wheel assemblies from the front of the vehicle, once you have lifted and supported the car.

3

Remove the caliper bolts from one of the calipers. The caliper bolts are located on the inside of the caliper. The inside of the caliper is the side that faces the inside of the wheel well, and the outside is the side facing you while your are working. The front and back of the caliper are proportional to the front and back of the vehicle. Use a 3/8-inch drive ratchet and socket to turn the caliper mounting bolts counterclockwise, until they are completely removed from the caliper.

4

Place a pry bar or large flat head screwdriver between the caliper and the front lip of the caliper mounting bracket. Like the caliper, the mounting bracket wraps around the rotor as well. Pry the caliper off of the rotor by pushing the handle of pry bar toward the rear of the PT Cruiser. Remove the caliper completely and set the caliper on top of the lower control arm. Do not let the caliper hang freely or you could damage the rubber brake line between the caliper and frame of the PT Cruiser.

5

Remove the old brake pads from the caliper mounting bracket. Use a small pry bar or large flat head screwdriver if necessary, to remove the pads. Lubricate the caliper mounting bracket where the brake pads make contact. This includes the recessed grooves that the pads sit in, as well as the front edge of the caliper mounting bracket where the pads contact the bracket. Use caliper grease that is rated "safe for use on disc brakes" to properly lubricate the caliper bracket.

6

Install the new brake pads onto the caliper bracket, pressing them as close to the inner and outer face of the rotor as possible. Lubricate the back or shim plates on the pads. The back of the pads is the side that faces outward once they are installed. Proper lubrication will allow the pad to collect excess brake dust from the wear in period of the pads, onto the back of the pads. This will keep the brakes from squeaking.

7

Insert an old pad against the piston in the caliper. Apply a 9-inch C-clamp or larger sized clamp around the inside of the caliper and against the outside of the brake pad. Turn the C-clamp to tighten the clamp onto the brake pad. This procedure will compress the caliper to allow room for installing the caliper over the new, wider brake pads. Turn the clamp slowly, so as not to jam air pockets into the piston boot. Air pockets will require you to have to bleed the brakes if you compress the piston too quickly.

8

Install the caliper over the new brake pads and caliper bracket. Lubricate the caliper mounting bolts with caliper grease prior to reinstalling them. Reinstall the caliper bolts, and tighten them using a 3/8-inch drive ratchet and socket.

9

Repeat Steps 3 through 8 to complete the second side of the PT Cruiser's front pads. Leaving one side in tact while performing the service on the other side will give you a visual reference to use when reinstalling the brake components.

10

Install the wheel and tire assemblies on the front of the PT Cruiser only after you have double checked that you have tightened all four caliper mounting bolts down ( 2 on each side). Start the wheel lug nuts on with a tire iron and snug them so that the wheel is pressed against the hub of the PT Cruiser. Lift the front of the PT Cruiser off of the jack stands and remove the jack stands from underneath the car. Lower the PT Cruiser and tighten the lug nuts, using a certified torque wrench between 90 and 110 foot-pounds of torque.