How to Replace the Brake Pads on a '98 Plymouth Breeze

The 1998 Plymouth Breeze comes equipped with brake pads on the front wheels and brake shoes on the rear wheels. The Plymouth Breeze is able to come to a safe and secure stop by applying the brake pads to the sides of the brake rotors. This process happens when the driver applies the brake pedal. The cylinder inside of the brake caliper compresses the inboard and outboard brake pads to the inner and outer sides of the brake rotor as the wheels are turning. The friction from the pads against the rotor is what stops the 1998 Plymouth Breeze.

Instructions

1

Drive the 1998 Plymouth Breeze to a safe work area with a level surface and turn off the engine.

2

Loosen each lug nut from the front wheels with a lug nut tool, but do not remove the lug nuts.

3

Walk around the car to make sure the ground is level all the way around the car. Then, jack up the front of the Plymouth Breeze. As soon as the front end of the car is up high enough, place the two safety stands under the front side rails on both sides of the Breeze. Position the safety stands close to the front wheel compartments so that each safety stand can evenly hold the weight of the 1998 Plymouth Breeze. Lower the car to the safety stands and leave the floor jack upright.

4

Take off the lug nuts with the lug nut tool and place on the surface near the working area. Pull the wheels off and place them flat down.

5

Locate the slide pin bolts on the back of the brake caliper on the driver's side. There are two slide pin bolts that hold the caliper to the bracket. Remove both of the slide pin bolts by turning the bolts counterclockwise with the ratchet and a metric socket. Pull the bolts out of the back of the caliper and place them on the surface near the work area.

6

Slide the caliper off the brake rotor. If the caliper is stuck or tight, use the small pry bar to pry the top and bottom sections of the brake caliper off the brake rotor. Slide the pry bar between the caliper housing and the brake rotor. Pry the caliper back and forth until it is loose.

7

Hang the brake caliper to the steering knuckle located behind the wheel hub assembly with mechanics wire or a bungee strap. This will keep the caliper away from the brake fluid line.

8

Remove the brake pads from the caliper by unscrewing the small set bolts on each end. Unscrew with the ratchet and a small metric socket.

9

Pull the old brake pads out of the caliper. Then slide the C-clamp inside of the caliper with the adjustable rod facing the caliper cylinder. Turn the C-clamp clockwise to compress the caliper cylinder until it is flush with the cylinder housing. Remove the C-clamp.

10

Position the new brake pads in the caliper. Line up the new brake pads up with the set bolts, then tighten the bolts tight so that the brake pads are secured to the inside of the caliper. Remove the wire from the caliper and slide it back onto the side of the rotor. Screw the slide pin bolts back into the rear of the caliper and tighten with the ratchet and socket. Put the tire back on with the lug nuts and tighten the lug nuts.

11

Now replace the brake pads on the passenger's side, repeating the steps above. When completed, jack up the front end of the car and pull the safety stands out. Lower the Plymouth Breeze and slide out the jack.

12

Crank the engine and depress the brake pedal a few times. This positions the new brake pads the proper distance from the sides of the brake rotor. Turn off the engine.