How to Change Brakes on a 1999 Dodge Van

The braking system on your 1999 Dodge van includes the brake pads, brake rotors and the brake caliper. The brake caliper is the main component that pushes the back of the outer brake pad against the back facing of the brake rotor. As the outer brake pad compresses onto the brake rotor, the inner brake pad pulls to the front facing of the brake rotor. The friction from the brake pads sliding against the turning brake rotor is what stops the van. Inspect the brakes for replacement between 30,000 and 40,000 miles.

Instructions

1

Park your 1999 Dodge van on a level surface. Then push the parking brake in.

2

Loosen all of the lug nuts from the front driver's side wheel as well as the front passenger's side wheel with a tire tool or lug wrench. Turn the lug nuts counterclockwise to loosen them.

3

Jack the front end of your 1999 Dodge van up. Set a jack stand under the side frame on both sides of the van. Be sure to position the stands near the front wheels so that the weight of the front end sits evenly on the stands.

4

Lower the jack to the top of the safety stands. Inspect the van to make sure it is safely and securely on top of the stands. Leave the jack in place.

5

Unscrew all of the lug nuts from both front wheels and pull them off. Set the wheels in a flat position to prevent rolling.

6

Move to the front driver's side wheel and locate the two slide bolts in the back of the brake caliper. One of the slide bolts is at the top of the caliper, and the other slide bolt is at the bottom of the caliper. Loosen and remove the slide bolts with a 3/8-inch drive ratchet and socket.

7

Insert a small pry bar into the access hole on the side of the brake caliper. Pry the outer brake pad back and forth towards the back of the brake caliper until the caliper becomes loose.

8

Pull the brake caliper from the side of the brake rotor. If the caliper is still tight, use the small pry bar to pry the bottom of the caliper off. Then, pull the caliper off of the rotor. Hang the caliper on one of the steering components behind the wheel hub assembly with a piece of rope. The front strut and the front spring are good places to hang the brake caliper.

9

Pry the inside brake pad out of the metal retaining clip on the inner part of the brake caliper with the small pry bar.

10

Position a C-clamp into the caliper so that the adjusting rod is facing the outside brake pad. Then compress the outside brake pad towards the caliper cylinder. Continue to compress the outside brake pad against the caliper cylinder until the cylinder is flush with the outside of the brake caliper. Loosen the C-clamp and remove it from the caliper.

11

Pry the outside brake pad out of the metal retaining clip with the small pry bar. Then install the new replacement brake pads into the retaining clips. Remove the rope and hang the caliper back onto the side of the rotor. Push both slide bolts into the rear of the caliper and screw the slide bolts in until tight. Then tighten the slide bolts with the ratchet and socket.

12

Slide the wheel back onto the hub and screw all of the lug nuts onto the lugs. Tighten the lug nuts until the wheel turns. Move to the other wheels and follow the same directions, as above, for replacing the brakes. When finished replacing the brakes on each wheel hub, jack the van back up and slide the stands out. Slowly lower the van to the ground. Then pull the jack out from under the van.

13

Crank the engine of your 1999 Dodge van and give the brake pedal a few pushes in and out to properly seat the brake pads near the facing of the brake rotors. Turn the engine off and close the hood.