How to Change Front Brake Pads on Dodge Ram 2500 and Dodge Ram 1500
Your vehicle is a massive value that will cost you a lot of maintenance over its lifetime. However, you can learn to do some jobs, saving you cash. For example, changing your brake pads yourself is one job you should know how to do. It might seem hard, but it will go down well once you follow the process.
Having good brake pads on your vehicle is extremely important and necessary. It is the function material that helps the brake system.
The process of changing brake pads for all dodge ram is more or less the same, just with different locations of bolts, holding pads, and the like. So changing your brake pads is one job you should be able to do at home.
There is some equipment you need to have at hand to change your brake pads effectively. The equipment may be expensive, but you can use them for a lifetime. The tools include:
Jack
Jack stands
New brake pads
Brake tool
Brake oil
Tire iron
Steps Involved on how to change front brake pads
Remove the brake pads
Use the tire iron to unfasten the bolts on the tires where you want to change the brake pads. This has to be done before you raise the car, or else you won't find it easy to remove. Then, the tires will just be spinning in the air.
Jack up the car
Once you've removed the bolts, look out for the jack point and gently lift the vehicle until it is balanced. Then remove the floor jack, and finish unfastening the bolts to remove the tire from your car.
Remove the caliper assembly and the old brake pads
The caliper assembly is the buckle that holds the brake pads with the rotors. First, use the socket wrench to remove the bolts at the back of the caliper assembly. Then, glide the caliper assembly from the rotor. Make sure not to attach the caliper to the brake line because the caliper assembly will still be attached to the brake line.
Set the caliper on top of the rotor gently. If the caliper should drop down, it could cut the brake line, and this would incur more cost than what you were trying to avoid in the first place.
Then remove the brake pads from the car rotor. You have to be careful in doing this to not destroy any of the clips or the rotor.
If your new brake pads have extra clips, you can replace them also. When removing the brake pads, observe how they are assembled, so it would be easy to insert them back.
Insert the new brake pads
Apply brake oil to the rear of the brake pads. It helps to reduce the noise that is likely to come from the brake pads when you press them. However, the oil should only be applied to the back and not be allowed to get to the front of the pads. This is to keep the friction between the brake pads and the rotors intact.
Insert the new brake pads into where you removed the old ones. This is best done one at a time, so you don't miss any part.
Replace the caliper assembly
This is the next step after the brake pads have been installed. You will note here that the caliper assembly does not fit on top of the brake pads. This happens, so there's no need to fret. As your old brake pads wear down, the piston inside the caliper assembly adjusts to their smaller size, but you can use your brake tool to fix this.
Take one of the old brake pads you removed and place it inside the caliper assembly across the piston. Then, place the brake tool against the other side of the caliper.
Twirl the handle of the brake tool to compress the piston into the caliper assembly till it retracts fully. Then you can select and easily place the caliper assembly into your brake pads. Next, insert the bolts and fasten them with your socket wrench.
Replace your tires
Once you've replaced the brake pads and you're sure all bolts are tightened, then you can replace your tire. But first, tighten the nuts on the wheels to keep them in place.
Bring the jack and place it under the car to lift the car off the jack stands. Remove the stands and gently lower the car down to the floor. Then tighten the nuts using your tire iron.
Drive your car around a few times to test the brake pads. If you hear any sounds, lift the car and check if all nuts are secure.
Tips for changing front brake pads
Ensure to use gloves during this process.
After removing the old brake pads, you can have a rag in place to clean the caliper assembly.
How do I know when to replace my brake pads?
The brakes of your car are one of the most significant features of your car. It is, therefore, necessary for you to ensure that your brakes are functioning correctly.
There are some signs you can look at to make you know when your brake pads need replacing.
Creaking noise from brakes
This is one general sign you can rely on. Once you start gearing constant creaking sound from your brakes, it's an indication that your brakes need to be checked and most likely to be replaced.
Hard grinding metal sound
Some brake pads have small metal ridges at the bottom to make the driver aware of when to change the pads. However, if the metals grind on other metal areas in the tire, it could create more damage to the brake pads.
Indicator lights
In some vehicles, an indicator light comes on when the brake pads are worn out. Once this light comes on, it is time to replace your brake pads.
Vibrating brake pedal
If your brake pedal feels unstable and vibrates ad you try to press it down, it means your brake pads have worn out and need to be changed. It isn't normal for your brake pedals to vibrate; any delay can cause more damage or an accident.
How to Change Front Brake Pads RAM 1500
How to Change Front Brake Pads on Dodge Ram 2500
1. Things You Will Need During the Process
When it comes to working on your Dodge Ram 2500, there are a few things you will need during the process. First and foremost, you should always have jack stands and a floor jack on hand for safety reasons. This will allow you to safely lift your truck or vehicle so that you can work on it without any risk of injury.
Additionally, WD40 is great for loosening up corroded bolts that may be hard to remove. An impact gun is also helpful as it makes the job much easier by quickly removing the bolts from the wheels. Lastly, having a 7/8 and 15/16 socket will make removing the bolts from the caliper much easier.
Having these items on hand when working on your Dodge Ram 2500 will make the job much easier and safer. The jack stands and floor jack are essential for safety purposes, while WD40, an impact gun, and sockets are necessary to ensure all bolts come off easily. With these items at your disposal, you can rest assured that your project will go smoothly and without any issues.
2. Steps to Change the Front Brake Pads
The first step to changing the front brake pads on a Dodge Ram 2500 Truck is to jack up the vehicle. This can be done with a floor jack and stands, which will help keep it in place while you work. It is important to remember that the truck weighs more than you do, so safety should always be your top priority when working under the vehicle. Make sure that the jack is placed securely and that all four stands are firmly in place before attempting any repairs or maintenance.
Once the truck is safely jacked up, you can remove the old brake pads. Start by taking off the wheel cover and then remove the caliper bolts from both sides of each wheel. Once these are removed, carefully slide out the old brake pads and replace them with new ones.
Be sure to use anti-seize lubricant on all bolts and screws during installation for maximum protection against corrosion and wear. After replacing all of the brake pads, reinstall all components in reverse order of removal and lower your truck back down onto its wheels.
Changing the Front Brake Pads
Changing the front brake pads is an important part of vehicle maintenance. Before beginning the installation process, it is important to make sure that you have the necessary retainer clips. These clips will hold the entire unit together and should be installed within the caliper before any other steps are taken.
Generally, four tension clips are needed for each caliper, but this may vary depending on your vehicle type. It is important to check your old retainer clips to get an idea of which one goes where to ensure a successful installation.
Once the retainer clips are in place, you can install your new brake pads. First, ensure they fit snugly into their respective slots and are properly aligned with the rotor.
After everything is in place, use a torque wrench to tighten all bolts and screws according to manufacturer specifications. Once complete, test drives your vehicle and make sure that your brakes are working properly before taking it out on the road again.
How to Replace Brake Pads and Rotors on Ram 1500
Replacing the brake pads and rotors on your Dodge Ram 1500 is a relatively simple job that can be done with basic tools.
First, you will need to purchase a brake kit, which includes two rotors with pads and hardware for the front brakes, two rotors with pads and hardware for the rear brakes, or four rotors with pads and hardware for both front and rear brakes.
You will also need grease for the brake calipers and cleaner for the brake pads.
First, you should loosen the lug nuts on each wheel before jacking up your truck. Once it is in the air, remove each wheel to access the brake caliper. Unbolt the caliper from its mount and hang it from a wire, so it does not put pressure on any of the lines or hoses.
Next, remove the old rotor by unscrewing any retaining screws if necessary. Install your new rotor by lining up all of its mounting holes with those on your truck's hub assembly. Place new brake pads onto their respective mounting brackets before reattaching them to your caliper mount.
Finally, reinstall your wheels, lower your truck back down to ground level, and securely tighten your lug nuts before taking it out for a test drive.
How to change front brake pads on dodge ram FAQs
1. Can I change my brake pads myself?
With the right tools, changing your brake pads yourself is very easy to carry out. It saves you a lot of money and doesn't take time to perform.
2. Do I have to replace the rotors each time I want to change the brake pads?
Once the rotors are still in shape and functioning well, you don't necessarily have to change them.
3. When do I have to change my brake pads?
Brake pads need to be changed after about 50,000 miles, 25,000 miles, or 70,000 miles. It differs from car to car and depends on some factors. However, you can get an accurate number for your car by checking your owner's manual.
4. What happens if I don't change my brake pads?
It can cause damage to the rotor by breaking it. It can also cause overheating to the braking system.
5. What happens if I drive with bad brake pads?
Continuous driving with worn-out brake pads is risky. You should not drive to the point that you hear harsh, grinding noise from your brake pads.
6. What does it mean to 'ride the brakes'?
Riding the brakes means resting the foot on the rear brake lever and the hand on the front brake lever and gently applying pressure in an indiscernible manner for a period. It causes heat buildup in the pad and caliper assembly.
7. Can I drive a car without brake pads?
You can't drive a car with no brake pads, as there won't be anything that will create sufficient traction to slow down the car. Therefore, the risk of an accident is high for driving without brake pads.
8. What happens if I brake too hard?
It can cause you to lose control of the car and cause an accident. It could also overheat the brake pads.
Conclusion
Changing your brake pads only looks and sounds challenging; it is shockingly easy, especially with the right tools. Once you do it over time, you can always finish it within a few minutes.
