2001 Dodge Ram 2500 4X4 Front Brake Job
 

I have a 2001 Ram 2500 4X4 and I am replacing the front brakes for the first time. I have done many brake jobs but this one is making me feel very dumb. I have removed the caliper (that was easy). I have compressed the pistons, (that was easy too). Now I need to remove the pads from the caliper. There is a clip of some sort on both top and bottom of the pads that looks like it should pop off and allow me to remove the pads but this is not the case. What I am concluding after staring at the thing for a while is that I need to separate the caliper pieces in order to remove the pads. I think I need a star socket to separate the caliper pieces which will allow me to slide the pads off. Am I wrong? Never had to actually separate a caliper to pull pads off before so this is why I am questioning it.

Thanks,

Annie

REMOVAL- FRONT


Raise and support vehicle.
Remove front wheel and tire assemblies.
Compress caliper.
Remove caliper.





Remove caliper by tilting the top up and off the caliper adapter. NOTE: Do not allow brake hose to support caliper assembly.





Remove inboard brake shoe from the caliper adapter.





Remove outboard brake shoe from caliper adapter).


Top Anti-Rattle Spring




Remove the anti-rattle springs from the caliper adapter. NOTE: Anti-rattle springs are not interchangeable.
INSTALLATION- FRONT


Bottom pistons in caliper bore with C-clamp. Place an old brake shoe between a C-clamp and caliper piston.
Clean caliper mounting adapter and anti-rattle springs.
Lubricate anti-rattle springs with Mopar brake grease.
Install anti-rattle springs. NOTE: Anti-rattle springs are not interchangeable.
Install inboard brake shoe in adapter.
Install outboard brake shoe in adapter.
Tilt the bottom of the caliper over rotor and under adapter. Then push the top of the caliper down onto the adapter.
Install caliper.
Install wheel and tire assemblies and lower vehicle.
Apply brakes several times to seat caliper pistons and brake shoes and obtain firm pedal.
Top off master cylinder fluid level.

3/8" alen should get it right off i believe

you will need an alan head socket, remove the caliper leaving the adapter on the knuckle. the pads will remain in the adapter, slide the adapter all the way inboard and remove the inboard pad by sliding it out of the anti rattle springs and remove the outboard by sliding the adapter all the way to the outside.

Thanks Guys!
 

You set me on the right track. On my truck I needed a torx bit, specifically
a T47. Once I got that, I took it apart, replaced the pads, regreased the torx bolt, reassembled and the brakes work great.

Thanks again!

T47??? i have only ever seen them in increments of 5

Yes, T47
 

It IS a weird size. Me thinks dodge does not like do it yourself maintenance.

One other weird thing is that my truck does not have anti rattle springs, just the thin metal clip that I assume helps the shoes slide and probably helps with
squeal or vibration.

Thanks again!

I have a question. We are replacing the rotors and calipers on my 2001 Dodge 2500 4X4. It appears that the caliper bracket is the same on both sides instead of a mirror image of each other which doesn't make sense to me. The passenger side is just mounted upside down. It must have come this way from the factory since I have owned the truck since it was new. I sent for new calipers on line. The came with the brackets attached. They are both the same. Does it make sense to just install the bracket upside down when the maintenance book says the clips are not interchangeable?

A good diy on this can be found here.

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...rake-pads.html