The 2001 Chrysler Town & Country minivan features rear disc brakes in some of the all-wheel drive models. Other all-wheel drive models may also feature rear drum brakes like all the front-wheel drive models do. The rear disc brake pads are about half the size of the front disc brakes and only account for about 25 percent of the braking power for the minivan. Therefore, replacing the rear brake pads will occur less often than the front.
Instructions
- 1
Place the wheel wedge in front of one of the front tires and kick it against the tread of the tire to "wedge" it in.
2Open the hood and remove 1/3 of the brake fluid from the master cylinder with the brake fluid siphon and then discard the fluid. Replace the master cylinder cover.
3Unscrew the lug nuts loose of both rear tires with the lug wrench. Turn the lug nuts one full turn only.
4Lift one rear quarter panel of the minivan with the jack and place the jack stand under the rear axle -- repeat on the other rear quarter panel. Remove the lug nuts and wheels.
5Remove the two inner caliper guide pins with the closed end of a combination wrench. The caliper is at the very top of the rotor. Pry the caliper and pads assembly from the rotor with the slotted screwdriver. Tie the caliper to the rear coil spring with mechanics wire so it does not dangle from the hydraulic brake hose, which is attached to the caliper.
6Pry the outer pad spring attached to the backing plate of the pad off the outer caliper housing with the screwdriver. Unseat the two remaining pad clips to remove the outer pad from the caliper. Pull the inner pad out of the caliper piston.
7Put the C-clamp onto the caliper so the top of the clamp is on the back of the caliper housing and the driving screw of the clamp is seated inside the caliper piston bore. Tighten the clamp until the piston is fully seated inside the caliper.
8Clean the surface of the caliper and caliper bridge with a wire brush, and then apply a level coat of silicone brake grease to the cleaned areas.
9Insert the inner brake pad and clip and push the clip into the caliper piston bore until its fully seated. Place the two clips of the outer brake pad onto the caliper housing. Pry the pad spring into place with the screwdriver.
10Replace the caliper and pads assembly over the brake rotor, align the caliper guide pin holes to the anchor holes and replace the guide pins. Tighten snugly. Repeat the brake pad procedure for the other rear wheel.
11Replace the wheel and lug nuts and tighten the lug nuts firmly. Lower the minivan to the ground and torque the rear lug nuts in a star pattern with the torque ratchet and a socket.
12Pump the foot brake pedal until it feels firm. Recheck the brake fluid level in the master cylinder and add clean brake fluid if necessary to fill the cylinder to the "Full" mark. Close the hood, remove the wheel wedge and test drive the minivan.
