Trying to expand my DIY skill set. The front pads on my 2003 Grand Caravan Sport have about 1000 miles to go before they go metal to metal with the rotors. The rotors are too thin to resurface (turn?), so these have to be replaced as well. These are the original rotors, second set of pads, with 79,000 miles on the vehicle. I'm the type that learns well by watching. I understand that brakes are relatively easy to replace, but am concerned about the so-called little things that could have a big impact on the outcome of the job, especially those that affect safety. Do I need to bleed the brake fluid? Are there "minor" pieces of hardware that need to be replaced, and are they always included in the pads kit? What tools do I need beyond the normal tool set (wrenches, ratchets, hammer, pliers, etc.)? What questions do I need to ask but don't know enough to do so? Biggie: Is there anything tricky or specific to the brakes on my 2003 Grand Caravan Sport that I need to be aware of?

FWIW, my experience level: I have, actually, done front brakes before (non-ABS), but this was on a Mazda Rx-7, probably 15 years ago. I nearly screwed up BIG time; I didn't know to remove some piece (bearings?) out of the old rotors and replace them in the new ones. Fortunately, the parts store manager discovered this before I ruined the axles. Scared the hell out of me. But, job completed successfully.

Also, I do all the minor maintenance items and some minor repairs -- oil changes, spark plugs & wires, coolant flushes, radiators & hoses, thermostats (well, ok, some of this *is* ancient history...)

I need to learn how to do this, because I've also got a '99 Grand Marquis and a '97 Saturn coupe that will need brake work very soon.

TIA, Dan

 

You will need a 21 mm socket or 13/16, 13 mm or 1/2 inch socket and something to move the piston back. Be sure to pump the brake pedal up before driving.

 

Nothing personal but I think you might want to leave the brakes to a professional. They are relatively easy to replace but if you are unsure how to do them I would leave them alone. If you know someone who can show you how they are done first that would be great and very helpful.

 

brakes are very easy first thing I do I use a baster(not your wifes or you will sleep in the garage for a month) only a buck at the dollar storeto remove some brake fluid from the MC not all of it but most of it then after taking off the tire I have a really large C-clamp to compres the piston back in I then remove the caliper see above post for bolt sizes remove the rotors while the rotor is off I hit the slides on the Yoke and calipers with some sandpaper or scotch brite if the bolts they are corroded I lube the slide area on the Yoke, the caliper bolts and the bushing with antiseize put the new pads on the caliper replace the rotor and reassemble do the same to the other side and when I start the vehicle I pump up the brakes several times till they come back up since the fluid from calipers fill up the MC you usually don't have to add any fluid but check it anyway you can also go to autozone or adavance auto and they have little sections on how do it also

 

Hey, vlmuke. You need a new keyboard. The period key isn't working.

Thanks to all for the advice. Tazman, I hear you. I do not approach this task lightly, as I am extremely cognizant of the danger of not doing this right. You will be happy to know that I learned this weekendthatone of my best friends used to work in a brake shop in his early days, and still does them on his family's vehicles. We're going to do mine on Wednesday. I'm paying with pizza and beer. He says I'm going to kick myself when I learn just how easy it is to do this. We'll see.

As I mentioned before, I've got a couple of other cars that require brakes work and, based on ~$250 estimate on this one, I expect to save ~$500 before I'm done.

 

You should be able to do these. Don't have to touch the wheel bearings. Only hangup may be a small bolt that holds the rotor to the spindle (at least I think Caravans have these) - it's probably rusted on and may have to be drilled out.

I would take off the calipers first, tie them up with a piece of wire so they don't hang on the brake line, then remove the bracket that the calipers attach to (17 mm or 19 mm?).

I think Vlmuke covered the other points sufficiently. Even if you don't have to add any fluid, now would be a good time to to do a brake fluid flush.

 

The good news is that it really was quite easy. The most difficult task was getting the bracket off that holds the outside pad in place, and then figuring out how it went back on! I'm going to put my video camera on a tripod when I do the other cars!