How to Lubricate Backing Plates in Rear Brakes of 2003 Caravans

No matter how well you maintain the exterior of your Dodge Caravan, perception is reality --- and if your Caravan lets out a shrill squeal every time you apply the brakes, anyone within earshot will likely consider your vehicle to be poorly maintained. The good news is that an image upgrade is just a little brake grease away. When properly applied to the backing plates and brake pads, a small amount of lubricant can leave your Dodge Caravan running as smoothly and silently as the latest models.

Instructions

1

Park your Caravan on a paved, level surface. Wedge wheel chocks or wood blocks under the other three wheels to prevent the vehicle from rolling.

2

Loosen the wheel's lug nuts with a lug nut wrench or tire iron.

3

Raise the rear end of your Caravan with a floor jack, leaving just enough clearance to safely remove the tire.

4




The calipers store the brake pads and backing plates.

Remove the lug nuts and take off the tire. Doing so will reveal the caliper assembly, which houses the brake pads and the backing plates.

5

Remove the caliper bolts, which hold the assembly in place, with a socket wrench.

6

Lift off the caliper. Because the caliper will remain attached to your Caravan by means of the brake line, don't attempt to set it down or you'll risk damaging the line or its connections.

7




Use a bungee cord or rope to hang the caliper while you're working on it.

Hang the caliper from the inside of the wheel well or the shock absorber with a rope or bungee cord.

8

Remove the brake pads and backing plates from the caliper.

9

Smear a small amount of grease on the sides of the brake pads that come into contact with the backing plates. If any lubricant gets on the sides that touch the rotor, clean it off with brake cleaner.

10

Place the brake pads and backing plates back into their original positions in the caliper.

11




Use a socket wrench to secure the caliper bolts.

Remove the caliper from the rope or bungee cord and put it back into position around the rotor. Replace the caliper bolts and tighten with a socket wrench.

12

Replace the wheel and lug nuts. Lower the vehicle and remove the jack.

13

Repeat the procedure for the other rear caliper.