Disc Brake Pad ? OT

[55 Fargo]

Hi all, have to change my disc brake pads and 1 rotor. There is only 40k on the van, we have had it for 3 years and live in the country. My wife had it out this weekend, came back the right fron grinding away, no tab warning.

The rotor is badly scored, the other is fine, I am going to change these items tonight, can anyone advise me on the procedure. Yeah I know it's simple, but believe or not I have never done a disc brake pad change, done plenty of drum, but not disc.

Any advice on buying pads, go with economy, mid grade or ceramic high end, the rotor will be a stock type, would like high end type but can't afford it right now.........Thanx Fred

[PatS....]

What kind of van?

As far as rotors go, make sure you get domestic and not offshore made rotors. Every offshore rotor I've had has heatscored within a very short time and had to be replaced again $$$$$$

For pads, I always get a name brand like Raybestos which are usually mid-grade.

I use a large C-clamp to slowly squeeze the piston back into the caliper to make room for the new pads. Make sure the c-clamp is centered on the piston.

Pat

[55 Fargo]

Thanx Pat, it's a 2005 Dodge Caravan w/o ABS, it has rear drum brakes. It's flat here so brakes might not take the beating like it does in hilly terrain in you area, but not sure. These brakes should not have worn this IMHO at 40k, in miles, especially since it is 80% highway driving

[Young Ed]

I would take a good look at the slides for that caliper. Make sure they move freely. Is the rotor scored on both sides or only one? I've seen calipers stick and grind away one side only. And since the squeaker is only on one side sometimes you get no warning until metal on metal happens.

Beyond that the C clamp is a good suggestion. Use one of the old pads to push against. I put anti-sieze goo on the caliper bolts also.

[PatS....]

As far as the sliding goes, one mechanic told me that GM used a special coating on the caliper bolt for sliding and the bolts should be replaced if rusty and not just wire wheeled clean. Not sure if that applies to other makers or not.

I used high heat lube on my Pontiac caliper bolts and they still stuck and wore on one side only. The brakes still outlasted the car...RIP

[55 Fargo]

Hi all, forgot to mention, on Tuesday night, installed new rotors and pads on my 05 Dodge Caravan. It was a very simple job, the reason I replaced rotors was because, I had scored one, as the tabs did not give off any advance warning, and lax me didn't inspect them lately. Funnything, the van was in for warrranty work 3 weeks ago, as it was just passed warranty, and being brakes, I of course opted to service it myself.......Fred

[Plymouthy Adams]

I went to rotate and balance the wheels on the wife's Caravan...found that the pads are ripe for the picking else I get the same condition you have...have it scheduled for this weekend..

[bob westphal]

Another thing to check if one side is wearing more than the other, is the brake line. In fact it doesn't hurt to change them when servicing the brakes

[Jerry Roberts]

When you push the piston back into the caliper , brake fluid is going to be pushed back into the master cylinder . If your master cylinder is topped off , the fluid has no place to go unless the cap is off or loose, then it dribbles over the edges . So either just let it dribble or take some fluid out beforehand and probably leave the cap loose .

[55 Fargo]

My MC was down a bit, "shame on me", so I was careful and never made the MC oveflow, whan pushing back the pistons. Because the vehicle was an 2005, and we have owned it for 3 years, with 40000 miles,with 70 % of those being highway as we live in the country. I will be keeping an eye on them from here on in...........Fred

[PatS....]

Maybe that road dust you were mentioning in the other thread is acting as an abrasive and sanding the pads down?