How to Change Brake Pads in a Chrysler Town & Country
by Jody L. CampbellProvided you have mechanical skills and automotive tools, you can replace the brake pads in the family Chrysler Town and Country. It is not a complicated project. Quality aftermarket brake pads can be purchased at local parts stores and carry the same lifetime warranty as the brake installation centers and, by doing it yourself, you save yourself the labor charges.
How to Change Brake Pads in a Chrysler Town & Country
Step 1
Park the Chrysler Town and Country on a level, paved surface. Apply the parking brake and place a wheel chock behind one of the rear tires.
Step 2
Break the lug nuts loose, using a breaking bar and a socket.
Step 3
Lift the front of the Town and Country up placing the floor jack beneath the rear engine mount and the jack stand under the lower control arm. Repeat this step for the other side to elevate the entire front axle. Remove the lug nuts and wheels.
Step 4
Remove the caliper bolts using the ratchet and a socket. Pry the caliper off the rotor and anchor using the flathead screwdriver. Pry the outboard pad clips off the caliper housing. Pull the inboard pad and clip out of the caliper piston. Support the caliper to the coil spring by wrapping the bungee cord around it and hanging it. Compress the piston of the caliper slowly inward using the C-clamp until it bottoms out.
Step 5
Install the new inboard pad by pressing the hardware clip into the piston of the caliper. Install the outboard pad by pressing the clips onto the caliper housing.
Step 6
Apply a liberal coat of silicon brake lubricant to the caliper anchor where the backing plates of the pads contact. Use the acid brush to spread it on. Try not to get any on the rotor.
Step 7
Place the caliper over the rotor and anchor and replace the caliper bolts. Tighten the caliper bolts.
Step 8
Repeat Step 4 through Step 7 for the other side.
Step 9
Replace the wheels and lug nuts. Tighten the lug nuts snug and lower the Chrysler Town & Country. Torque the lug nuts with the adjustable torque wrench set at 100 foot-pounds.
Step 10
Pump the foot brake pedal until it feels normal. This will restore the hydraulic pressure back to the compressed caliper pistons. Check and adjust the brake fluid in the master cylinder to be safe. Remove the wheel chock, release the parking brake and test drive.
Tips
- If your Town and Country has rear brake pads, the procedure is much the same. You would not apply the parking brake however and the placement of the wheel chock would be in front of one of the front tires, instead of behind one of the rear tires.
Things You'll Need
- Floor jack
- Jack stand(s)
- Wheel chock
- 1/2-inch drive breaking bar
- 1/2-inch drive socket set
- 1/2-inch drive ratchet
- 1/2-inch drive adjustable torque wrench (suggested)
- Flathead screwdriver
- Bungee cord
- C-clamp
- Silicon-based brake lubricant
- Acid brush
Writer Bio
Jody L. Campbell spent over 15 years as both a manager and an under-car specialist in the automotive repair industry. Prior to that, he managed two different restaurants for over 15 years. Campbell began his professional writing career in 2004 with the publication of his first book.
