How to replace the rear brake calipers 2009-2018 Dodge Ram 1500

Chapter 1:

Set up

Step 1/2

Turn off your vehicle’s ignition, set the parking brake, pull the hood release handle and open the hood.

Chapter 1:

Step 2/2

Open the brake fluid reservoir.

Chapter 2:

Lift the vehicle

Step 1/3

Loosen the wheel lug nuts on the rear wheels.

Chapter 2:

Step 2/3

Lift the rear of your vehicle. Place the vehicle on the jack stands.

Chapter 2:

Step 3/3

Don’t forget to put the wheels under the vehicle!

Chapter 3:

Retract the piston

Step 1/3

Insert a flathead screwdriver to the outer extremity of the oblong hole located on the front of the brake caliper.

Chapter 3:

Step 2/3

Lift it off using the screwdriver as a lever by pulling it towards you.

Chapter 3:

Step 3/3

This will cause the piston to retract slightly, so that the caliper can be removed more easily for the next steps.

Chapter 4:

Remove the caliper

Step 1/2

Using a ratchet and a 15 mm socket, unscrew the banjo screw connecting the hose to the caliper.

Chapter 4:

Step 2/2

With a ratchet and a 10mm socket, unscrew the slide pins.

Chapter 5:

Tips

Step 1/2

Tip: attach a piece of electrical cable, or a hook, to one of the strut spring coils

Chapter 5:

Step 2/2

You can now remove the brake caliper and hand it to the previously installed hook.

Chapter 6:

Remove the brake pads

Step 1/1

Remove the brake pads by prying them out with a flathead screwdriver.

Chapter 7:

Remove the brake caliper mount

Step 1/3

Using a socket wrench and a 21mm socket, unscrew the two holding screws on the caliper mount.

Chapter 7:

Step 2/3

Depending on the state of the bolts on the caliper mount, it may be necessary to use a hammer to loosen them.

Chapter 7:

Step 3/3

Remove the caliper mount.

Chapter 8:

Push the piston in

Step 1/3

In our case, we took advantage of this operation to change the brake discs and pads.

Chapter 8:

Step 2/3

Using a Brake Wind-Back Tool, press the piston into the caliper.

Chapter 8:

Step 3/3

This step is essential when installing the new pads, but it also allows you to remove brake fluid contained in the caliper.

Chapter 9:

Remove the brake hose from the caliper

Step 1/4

Place a container to collect the fluid under the caliper, since the brake fluid may leak out.

Chapter 9:

Step 2/4

Here’s a tip! You can limit the amount of brake fluid leakage by clamping the brake hose with a brake hose clamp.

Chapter 9:

Step 3/4

You can now finish unscrewing the banjo screw.

Chapter 9:

Step 4/4

Next, separate the brake hose from the caliper.

Chapter 10:

Clean

Step 1/1

If you are not replacing the hose, carefully brush the surface where the hose and caliper make contact using a wire brush or sandpaper.Then rinse with brake cleaner.

Chapter 11:

Prepare the operation

Step 3/3

Get the new caliper assembly.

Chapter 11:

Step 4/3

Then unscrew the slide pins to separate the mount from the caliper.

Chapter 11:

Step 5/3

Grab the new seals and the new banjo screw. Install all of them on the hose.

Chapter 12:

Screw the brake hose back + Tightening

Step 1/4

Grab the brake caliper.

Chapter 12:

Step 2/4

Screw the banjo screw that connects the brake hose to the caliper, back on until it makes contact.

Chapter 12:

Step 3/4

Remove the brake hose clamp.

Chapter 12:

Step 4/4

Then put the caliper back in place on the hook.

Chapter 13:

Install the new brake disc

Step 1/2

Put the disc back in place.

Chapter 13:

Step 2/2

Then put the retainer back in place.

Chapter 14:

Put the brake caliper mount back on

Step 1/3

Take the new caliper mount.

Chapter 14:

Step 2/3

Reassemble the caliper mount by screwing first by hand, then with a socket wrench and a 21mm socket to lock them in place.

Chapter 14:

Step 3/3

Finish tightening using a torque wrench.

Chapter 15:

Install the new anti-rattle clips

Step 1/1

Place the new anti-rattle clips on the caliper mount.

Chapter 16:

Put the brake pads back

Step 1/2

Grab the new pads, and lightly coat the ends with copper grease to help them slide more easily.

Chapter 16:

Step 2/2

Insert the new pads into the caliper mount by sliding them in.

Chapter 17:

Put the brake caliper back

Step 1/5

Take the caliper.

Chapter 17:

Step 2/5

Put the brake caliper back in place and screw in the slide pins, by hand at first.

Chapter 17:

Step 3/5

Screw them in using a socket wrench and a 13mm socket.

Chapter 17:

Step 4/5

Finish tightening using a torque wrench.

Chapter 17:

Step 5/5

Finish tightening the banjo screw with a torque wrench.

Chapter 18:

Bleed the brake fluid system

Step 1/3

When replacing a brake caliper, you need to bleed the brake fluid system to remove air from the system.

Chapter 18:

Step 2/3

In case you adjusted the brake shoes to remove the disc, set the mechanism back until there is a slight friction between the brake shoes and the disc. Put the shutter cover back on.

Chapter 18:

Step 3/3

After bleeding, remember to clean the caliper-disc assembly with brake cleaner.

Chapter 19:

Put the vehicle back on the ground

Step 1/3

Then, you will be able to put the wheels back on your vehicle.

Chapter 19:

Step 2/3

Put the car back on the ground and block the wheels properly.

Chapter 19:

Step 3/3

Don’t forget to screw the brake fluid cap back on before starting the car.

Chapter 20:

Safety tips

Step 1/3

Attention! Before using your vehicle again, start your car, and pump the brake pedal a few times to push the brake pads together again.

Chapter 20:

Step 2/3

Try to drive smoothly and avoid sudden braking for the first 30 miles or so, to avoid glazing the new pads.

Chapter 20:

Step 3/3

Operation complete.