How to Change Front Brake Pads on a 1992 Dodge Grand Caravan SE

The front brake assemblies on your 1992 Dodge Grand Caravan SE come equipped with one of two brake caliper configurations. Each one requires a slightly different procedure to properly change the worn brake pads. Still, by following the right procedure for your particular model, you can successfully replace the pads in your own driveway using some common tools.

Instructions

Removing the Brake Pads

1

Park your Grand Caravan on a level surface.

2

Loosen slightly both front wheels' lug nuts using a lug wrench.

3

Siphon at least 1 qt. of brake fluid from the brake master cylinder into a suitable container using a clean turkey baster.

4

Raise the front of your Caravan using a floor jack and place two jack stands under the frame near the front wheels for support.

5

Finish removing the front wheel/tire assemblies.

6

Seat the caliper piston into its bore now if your caliper comes equipped with two mounting pin bolts. Insert a large, standard screwdriver through the wide opening on top of the caliper and pry the front or outboard brake pad against the back of the caliper.

7

Unscrew and remove the caliper pin bolt(s) using a ratchet and socket.

8

Swing the caliper upward, then remove it from the brake rotor and caliper bracket. On models with one caliper pin bolt, you will need to pry the caliper upward from one side to break the adhesive seals from the brake pad. Use a large, standard screwdriver as a prying tool.

9

Secure the brake caliper to the suspension with a heavy wire to avoid damaging the brake hose connected to the caliper.

10

Remove the front or outboard brake pad from the caliper bracket. Make a note of all the anti-rattle clips installed in your brake assembly model so you can replace them in their correct places.

11

Pull the brake rotor off the hub and wheel mounting studs by hand, if your caliper comes equipped with two mounting pin bolts.

12

Remove the back or inboard brake pad from the caliper bracket. If your caliper comes equipped with two mounting pin bolts, slide the brake pad through the bottom of the caliper mounting bracket.

13

Push the caliper piston into its bore by hand now if your caliper comes equipped with one pin bolt. If the piston is hard to seat, place a piece of wood block on the piston and use a large C-clamp to push the piston. Press the piston slowly to avoid damaging the seal and piston.

Installing the New Brake Pads

14

Clean the brake dust from the brake assembly using brake parts cleaner and a clean, lint-free cloth.

15

Peel the protective cover from the back of the new brake pads and install the back or inboard brake pad on the caliper bracket. If your caliper comes equipped with two pin bolts, slide the pad through the bottom of the bracket. Make sure to install the anti-rattle clips in their correct locations.

16

Install the brake rotor on the hub and wheel mounting studs now if your caliper comes equipped with two mounting pin bolts.

17

Install the new front or outboard brake pad on the caliper bracket.

18

Set the brake caliper in place over the brake rotor and caliper mounting bracket.

19

Start the caliper pin bolt(s) by hand. Then tighten the bolts using the ratchet and socket.

20

Install both front wheel/tire assemblies and tighten the wheel lug nuts just enough to properly seat the wheel assemblies in place. Use the lug wrench.

21

Lower your Caravan.

22

Finish tightening the wheel lug nuts using the lug wrench.

23

Add brake fluid to the brake master cylinder to bring the level up to the Full mark.

24

Pump the brake pedal several times to help the new brake pads seat.

25

Road test the vehicle in a low-traffic street and make several firm stops to wear off the dust film on the surface of the new brake pads.