How to Replace Front Disc Brakes in a Dodge Durango

Making a habit of performing the scheduled maintenance on your 2001 through 2003 Dodge Durango is a good way to prevent costly problems at a later date. One form of this maintenance should be to replace the front disc brakes on your Dodge Durango.

Instructions

1

Park the Dodge Durango on a flat surface. Put the emergency brake on and put wedges behind the wheels to prevent the vehicle from rolling. Disconnect the negative battery cable from the battery. Drain 2/3 of the brake fluid from the master cylinder, using a syringe. Remove the wheel and the tire assemblies.

2

Compress the caliper piston back into the caliper bore using a large C-clamp to drive the piston into the bore. Use additional force if it is required. Using a 3/8 inch hex wrench or socket remove the caliper mounting bolts.

3

Rotate the caliper rearward off the rotor and out from its mount. Remove the inboard and outboard brake pads. Remove the spring clip that holds the inboard brakes in the caliper. Tilt the pad out at the top to unseat the clip. Remove the retaining spring that secures it in the caliper. Unseat one spring end and rotate the pad out of the caliper.

4

Suspend the caliper assembly from the Durango frame using mechanic's wire. Do not allow the caliper assembly to dangle from the brake hose as this may damage the brake hose.

5

Clean the surfaces of the caliper and steering knuckle with a wire brush. Apply multi-mileage grease or similar product. Using brake fluid or break cleaner clean the caliper slide pins. Apply a light coating of silicone grease to the pins.

6

Install the inboard brake pad and it's spring. Install the outboard brake pad. Install the caliper over the rotor and seat it in its original position until it is flush. Using a torque wrench, torque the slide caliper pins to 22 ft./lbs.

7

Add brake fluid to the master cylinder. Bleed the brakes. Reconnect the negative battery cable to the battery. Start the engine and pump the brakes 3-4 times to seat the brake pads. Reinstall the wheels. Test drive the Durango at slow to moderate speeds to ensure that the maintenance was performed correctly.