The 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 pickup truck is manufactured with a rotor and caliper braking system design, which uses hydraulic fluid to sandwich a rotor between two pads via a caliper piston. The rotor in this system is vulnerable to heat and debris issues, and will require replacement when it fails. The average backyard mechanic can replace this rotor in about 30 minutes.
Instructions
- 1
Raise the truck on a floor jack and place the frame on a jack stand for support.
2Remove the wheel by turning the lug nuts counterclockwise. Store the wheel away from the truck.
3Remove the caliper by turning the rear caliper bolts in a counterclockwise direction. The caliper will slide off of the rotor, or can be gently tapped or pried off with a screwdriver. The caliper can rest on the control arm in back of the brakes, but should not be allowed to dangle by the rubber brake lines.
4Remove the rotor keeper clips on the front of the hub, if applicable, by turning them in a counterclockwise direction or cutting them off. The center hub nut can be turned out with a large socket or wrench.
5Pull on the rotor to remove it from the hub, or gently tap on it until it is free. Years of neglect may have stuck the rotor from heat buildup, or rust may have penetrated the center ring.
6Replace the rotor and push it onto the hub. Tighten the center hub nut by turning it clockwise. Some models have a cotter pin on this nut, and a fresh one should be used.
7Replace the caliper (with new pads) by sliding it onto the rotor. It may be necessary to uncap the master cylinder and press the caliper pistons in to get enough clearance for the rotor. Once it is in place, tighten the rear caliper bolts in a clockwise direction. Recap the master cylinder after the caliper is mounted, checking its fill level.
8Replace the wheel and tighten its lug nuts clockwise, in an alternating pattern.
9Lower the truck from the jack stands.
