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[HOW TO][BRAKES] Replacing Front Pads and Rotors

83K views 27 replies 15 participants last post by  BigJay55 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
This is how to replace your front pads and rotors on a Gen I Durango 4x4. This may also be pertinent to other trucks (Dakotas, R/Ts, 2wd trucks) but you'll have to check.
As always, use your head and be safe! Proper prep and precautions means you end the day alive and in one piece.


Parts Required:
  • 1 pair rotors
  • 1 complete set of pads
  • 1 tube of high temp brake lube
  • 1 tube high temp silicone slider grease

Tools Required:
  • 1 3/4" socket (1/2" drive)
  • 1 7mm hex Allen socket (3/8" drive)
  • 1 Johnson (breaker) bar (1/2" drive)
  • 1 3/8" drive ratchet
  • 1 3/8" drive torque wrench (ft/lbs.)
  • 1 long flathead screwdriver
  • 1 large C-clamp
  • 1 can brake cleaner
  • 1 caliper painting kit (Optional - if painting calipers)


1. Clean and open master cylinder reservoir.

2. Loosen lug nuts using Johnson bar, but do not remove.

3. Raise and support truck. If not using a lift, support truck using jackstands and chock the rear wheels.


4. Remove lug nuts, remove wheel/tire.

5. If painting, now is a good time to clean the calipers using paint kit.


6. Using the 7mm hex Allen socket and 3/8" drive ratchet, remove the 2 slide pins that hold the caliper onto the knuckle. They are on the inboard side of the calipers, and are sunk into deep rubber grommets.


7. Using the screwdriver, gently pry the caliper spring off the outboard side of the calipers. WARNING - They are under tension, so they will pop and fly. Be careful!

8. Using the screwdriver again, gently (from the top) pry the caliper and pads away from the rotor. You should have the screwdriver pointed toward the rear of the truck, resting on the edge of the rotor. DO NOT LET CALIPER HANG BY THE BRAKE LINE! Either place it behind the rotor, or wire it up using wire or a coathanger.

9. Remove rotor by pulling it straight off the studs.

(Note: There may be round discs on the studs holding the rotor in place. These can be pried/cut/broken off and omitted on reassembly.)


10. Remove the pads. On the outboard, use the screwdriver to pry the spring off one side of the caliper and slide it down. The inboard pad just pulls straight out of the piston dish.


11. Using the C-clamp, press the piston back into it's bore.

(Mod Note: It is best to use a block of wood or the old brake pad between the piston and C-clamp. Phenolic pistons can get brittle and they can crack if you use the clamp directly on the piston.)


12. Install new rotor by sliding it onto the studs. Avoid touching the contact surfaces as much as possible.


13. Install inboard pad by pressing springs into the piston dish.


14. Install outboard pad by sliding spring clamp over outside of caliper and pushing up into caliper. Note - a slight film of brake lube makes this easier.

15. Lube slide pins with high temp silicone slider grease. DO NOT use regular petroleum-based grease!!


16. Lube adapter plates with high temp brake lube, then slide caliper/pad assembly onto rotor.


17. Install slide pins using 7mm hex Allen socket. Torque to 22 ft/lbs.

18. Install the caliper spring. This can be tricky - use your screwdriver and some patience, but make sure it's seated properly.




19. Give the rotor a little blast of brake cleaner and wipe it off with a clean rag.

20. Reinstall the wheel/tire, lower truck, tighten lugs. Close master cylinder reservoir.

21. Follow the manufacturer's recommended bed-in procedures.

22. Clean up!

Note - If painting (like I did) paint the caliper AFTER installation. Just be careful to not get any paint on the rotor, bleeder or pads.
 
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#3 ·
Yep. On the rear drums.
 
#6 ·
I like 'em. Certainly feels like I have more grab. Only thing I don't like is they are a little noisy. I don't sound like a city bus, but there is a squeal when I first touch the pedal. I release and reapply, it goes away... Until they cool down, then it returns. It's not loud, but it's there.
 
#7 ·
squealing front brakes

I did the same type of replacement on my Durango, the squealing stopped after I removed the pads...redressed the contact surfaces...replaced pads...No squeals as yet.
:banana2::drive:
 
#8 ·
how did you redress the contact surfaces?
 
#9 · (Edited)
The appropriate method is to use sandpaper, sanding disc, scuff disc, or steel wool to remove the glaze. Since I do my repairs on a smooth concrete surface and on my own vehicles…..yes, I just place the pads contact side down and “wax-on, wax-off”.

:banana2:

If the rotors need de-glazing, use sandpaper, sanding disc, scuff disc, or steel wool to remove the glaze. (part of the break-in by some manufactures)

Note: The above methods are for recently replaced Pads and Rotors, on old/worn units, you will most likely need to replace all or some of the components.
 
#12 ·
Not to change topic but......I just replaced, basically, my entire front brake system (pads, rotors, lines, calipers, master cyl, booster). My pads are dragging and bleeding doesn't seem to solve the issue.

I didn't know about lubing the adapter plates.

How likely could lubing the plates resolve the issue?

Btw....nice write up. I opted for Wagner heavy duty pads all around, an hd drilled slotted rotors After finding the stock pads insufficient. Hd pads are noticibly an improvement, but the new master cylinder and brake booster REALLY made the difference. With 100k miles, these components seemed to make the most improvement.

rockAuto had the BEST deals on everything.
 
#18 ·
Removing stuck front rotors on 1999 Durango

Thanks for the informative pictorial on replacing the brakes and rotors on the Durango. My problem was that no matter what method I tried to remove the rotors (short of using blowtorch or removing the bearing nut) the rotor would not come off. The rear rotors have threaded holes into which you can insert bolts to apply preasure to break the "bond". The front rotors dont have the threaded holes.... Next best thing were the threaded holes that hold the brake calipers in place. The bolts used for holding the calipers in place were too short to apply pressure on the rotor. Getting a metric bolt M12-1.24x80, fully threaded, and inserting it into the upper brake caliper bolt hole, the bolt applied pressure on the rotor right at the lower edge of the braking surface. Applying pressure through the bolt on the rotor then lightly hammering the rotor hub started the releasing process. You will need to do this tightening and hammering several times until the rotor pops off. No need to rotate the rotor to reposition the pressure point. If the rotor is to be replace, the scarring on the braking surface does not matter... if the rotor will be resurfaces, the scarring will be removed.
 
#21 ·
UPDATE - 8 months later, and I regret buying EBC. Bought the Yellow Stuff Kevlar pads and the slotted and dimpled rotors... Now both rotors are warped, the pads are worn and they never did bed-in properly, even after following the manufacturer's procedure. The whole time they squealed, and got worse and worse. Brake performance was a little better than stock (it felt like it, anyway) but they simply don't hold up at all. Looking at doing this all again, only now I'm looking at SSBC rotors and Hawk pads. Anyone have their own favourite combo that works, lasts and is quiet?
 
#23 ·
Anyone have their own favourite combo that works, lasts and is quiet?
I have ABS front rotors and drum rears. These trucks simply dont stop, so I did Heavy Duty Wagner pads, and Heavy duty rotors as well (but I cant recall the brand....Centric maybe?) Drilled /slotted. All from rock auto

The truck stops now.

Whatever you do, dont get the generic knock off's. Spend the money, get the brand name.

Just be sure that the retention spring does not lift the pad so high that a portion of the pad is above the rotor. I had that issue on the first set of pads I installed and soon got a grinding noise as the pad wore. Had to install a second set and had to bend the spring a bit so it fit right. Its all good now.
 
#22 ·
My choice, that works for a DD, lasts, and is quiet?

I've been using Raybestos Pro Grade rotors and Wagner Thermoquiet pads on my cars.

It's what I'll be using on the Dakota when I get to doing the brakes around.

HOWEVER - these are not slotted or drilled (which *ahem* will be more prone to warpage, and won't brake as good for DD usage, as plain rotors will! Be sure to check why they're slotted and drilled for race cars, and what the byproducts of both are!) and are pretty much "Plain Jane" parts.

YMMV, naturally.

RwP
 
#25 ·
Hey Guys,
I just replaced my rotors and pads - and I have always bled my brakes after doing so. My neighbour told me that I didn't need to bleed them because I didn't take any lines off. The problem is that they feel spongy. so I went to bleed the driver's side and the damn bleeder screw broke off. I tried to get a new screw but no one local had them (this is after I attempted to drill out the old screw). So I ended up getting a new caliper. The passenger side broke off next so my question is - do I get a new caliper and bleed the brakes or do I just leave the system alone? They still seem spongy - I don't like it.
Thoughts?
 
#26 ·
You didn't need to bleed them. The hydraulic system is closed, so if you don't take the lines off, and there is no evidence of leaking fluid around the piston, you don't need to bleed because there's no way air got in.

So yeah if you broke off the bleed screws you will need to replace the calipers and bleed the system. If you've never replaced the fluid before, it's a good time to 'flush' the system by pumping at least two quarts of new fluid all the way through the lines to all four wheels.

Get a helper to pump the brakes while you crack a bleeder into a pan (or install one-man "Speed Bleeder" screws - they're about $25 a set). Pump until the master cylinder is ALMOST empty. DO NOT let it go dry and suck air, because if air gets into your antilock valve, you're fucked - that requires a trip to the dealer to bleed. Refill the master with fresh fluid and repeat the process. By the time the master is just about empty again, you should be pumping new clean fluid out the bleeder. Close that one, refill the master again, and repeat at the next wheel. Repeat for the rest of the wheels.

Old fluid CAN cause sponginess due to absorbed water.. But that will not 'just happen' when you replace the pads/rotors. It builds up gradually over time.

The sponginess you have is from not properly 'bedding' the pads to the rotors. There is a good possibility you may have wasted the pads, and you will have to eat it and get new ones again. You will also have to re-sand the rotor faces to remove any imporper glazing and start again with a clean surface. BTW, even brand new rotors must be sanded before installation to remove the protective lacquer that the factory puts on to keep them from rusting in the box.

Here's the bedding-in procedure:

When following these instructions, avoid other vehicles. Bedding is often best done early in the morning, when traffic is light, since other drivers will have no idea what you are up to and may respond in a variety of ways ranging from fear to curiosity to aggression. A police officer will probably not understand when you try to explain why you were driving erratically! Zeckhausen Racing does not endorse speeding on public roads and takes no responsibility for any injuries or tickets you may receive while following these instructions. Use common sense!

* From 60mph, gently apply the brakes a couple of times to bring them up to operating temperature. This prevents you from thermally shocking the rotors and pads in the next steps.

* Make eight to ten near-stops from 60mph to about 10-15 mph. Do it HARD by pressing the brakes firmly, but do not lock the wheels or engage ABS. At the end of each slowdown, immediately accelerate back to 60mph and then apply the brakes again. DO NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP! If you stop completely and sit with your foot on the brake pedal, you will imprint pad material onto the hot rotors, which could lead to vibration and uneven braking.

* The brakes may begin to fade after the 7th or 8th near-stop. This fade will stabilize, but not completely go away until the brakes have fully cooled. A strong smell from the brakes, and even some smoke, is normal.

* After the last near-stop, accelerate back up to speed and cruise for a while, using the brakes as little as possible. The brakes need only a few minutes to cool down. Try not to become trapped in traffic or come to a complete stop while the brakes are still very hot.

After the break-in cycle, there should be a slight blue tint and a light gray film on the rotor face. The blue tint tells you the rotor has reached break-in temperature and the gray film is pad material starting to transfer onto the rotor face. This is what you are looking for. The best braking occurs when there is an even layer of of pad material deposited across the rotors. This minimizes squealing, increases braking torque, and maximizes pad and rotor life.

After the first break in cycle shown above, the brakes may still not be fully broken in. A second bed-in cycle, AFTER the brakes have cooled down fully from the first cycle, may be necessary before the brakes really start to perform well. This is especially true if you have installed new pads on old rotors, since the pads need time to conform to the old rotor wear pattern. If you've just installed a big brake kit, the pedal travel may not feel as firm as you expected. After the second cycle, the pedal will become noticeably firmer.
 
#27 ·
The Latest...

After finally getting through a miserable year, I'm back to playing catch up on maintenance. And that means the El cheapo garbage discs and rotors are getting done again tomorrow morning. Now that I'm back on my feet, good brand name parts are going on again. Wasn't impressed with the EBC rotors and pads, so now I'm going with Brembo UV coated rotors and Hawk LTS pads. I'll let you all know how these work out.
 

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#28 ·
Brembos and Hawks on. Jesus... This bitch STOPS!
 
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