A good tip to not damage the piston with the C clamp is to place the old brake pad against the piston before using the C clamp. This will ensure you do not damage the piston. Other than that this was a great video with clear cut explanations. Job very well done.
I watch a few of these how to videos before I attempt auto repairs. Usually I find I can do most work myself after doing my research. Your video was extremely well done. it was a nice touch having your daughter show where the jack would be found. Please let her know that I said that she did a great job.
Being a mom of four sons, I love the idea she can be on the video...it shows she can be a part of what's going on, and I have done front brakes before, and starters, and alternators, and master cylinders, and I hope she goes on to do more automotive repairs like I have. It's valuable to say the least. She did a good job
Even though this video is 10 years old, it is probably one of the best videos I have seen to date in regard to giving you detailed information to complete the job. Great work.
This is one of the best basic car repair videos around! I've changed pads & rotors before, but I just got a new Grand Caravan so I wanted to see what the process looked like on the van. Mentioning the amount of force that should be required to undo different bolts is very helpful: I'm always worried I'm gonna brake something off...again...
I am a female and have some mechanic experience but I always try to watch a video on my projects first. You have one of the best, easiest videos I have used. Thank you
Great video, but a few things that should be pointed out. You should never use a C-clamp directly on the piston. Put the old brake pad in there first. Also, make sure the swivel pad on the forcing screw is on the piston side. In this case, you were applying the force to the piston at an angle, because of the manner in which you used the clamp. This can cock the piston in the bore and induce problems down the road. Some pistons are made from composite materials and can crack or break if done this way. I always put a large flat screwdriver between the pad and the rotor and slowly pull on the screwdriver to gently force the piston back into the caliper before removing any bolts. If the bleeder screw isn't seized, it's best to open it up before retracting the piston, to expel the fluid from the caliper bore. The fluid in the caliper is subject to extreme heat, and as such, becomes contaminated and less effective, so it should not be allowed to be sent back into the master cylinder. The most overlooked part of almost every DIY brake job is the condition of the caliper bracket under those stainless clips. Rust jacking is very common here and the corrosion should be removed and treated before replacing the clips. Make sure to only (repeatedly) push the brake pedal half way or less to reseat the brakes when done. Forcing the master cylinder all the way to the floor, can send the MC piston seals into a position where they don't normally reach and crud usually accumulates there. This can score the seals, leading to premature MC failure.
The bleeder screw is a small (hollow) hex shaped screw on the back side of the caliper. It is used to "bleed the air from the brake lines"...the part that he hung with the wire. He got around not having to bleed the air from the system because he did not open the screw to drain any fluid, so the system remained "bled" or air free. Had he replaced the caliper, he would have had to remove the brake line, thus inducing air into the system & then would have to use the bleeder screw to "bleed the brakes". Bleeder screws are often a pain to open on old calipers because they are soft metal & they like to corrode (get stuck)...which often times leads to rounding off the head or breaking it off inside the caliper. Watch videos on "how to bleed brakes" for more info.
Great video!! Was able to change 4 sets of pads in less than 2 1/2 hours. This video was clear and precise, and instilled a sense of confidence. I highly recommend watching this video if you are not familiar with pad installation.
Having done many brakes in the past, I wanted a refresher. Well done. Very well done. But I have to give you credit, I listened to the last bit just to make sure I did not forget somethings. And you said " Don' forget the wire." and yes I did. Thank you. I forgot the stupid coat hanger. Very, very smart you are.
perfect in our time of need. my husband was in the process of changing out the brakes on our 2009 Dodge Journey and did not know what to do. after praying your video came up and was great! just what we needed Praise God! thank you so very much.
Thank you so much for your great instruction and guidance. I performed our brake job with my 20 year old son on his birthday, and he enjoyed doing it with me! It wasn't a horrible time of struggle due to your easy step by step guidance! Thanks again!!
I've never done much DIY auto repair, but after watching this video I was confident I could do the job. Yesterday afternoon I successfully replaced the front brake pads and rotors on my 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan with some help from the 'loaner tool' program at Auto Zone, and some borrowed jack stands from my neighbor. Thanks for the post, it was very helpful!
If you are not a teacher then the world is missing out. Went outside with my son and finished both front brakes in an hour. Thanks you saved me quite a bit of money.
This video was so very concise, excellent video angles and clarity and narrated clearly. I wish ALL car repair tutorials were like this! To think, after 9 years of being posted your content is still valid and extremely useful! I was about to take my van in for front brakes to be done, but after seeing this, I am very interested in completing this myself! Thank you!
Excellent video - the narrator's straightforwardness and cadence kind of reminded me of Mr. Rogers explaining the basics to a child, and I mean that in the best way.
Thanks for sharing your video with us! After watching the video I am going to try and do a brake job on my mini-van. I have never attempted this before. I'm a 56-year old woman and NOW have the confidence I needed to get the job done! Thank so much!!
I spent $65 for parts and the rotors being turned. 45 minutes actual working time and 3 hrs waiting on the rotors. The tire shop quoted us $225 for parts and labor. I saved $160 by doing it myself. This video saved me lots of time by being able to go to the task well prepared. Thanks for sharing your video.
Awesome video! Not only was it straight forward and easy to follow, you were your own camera man! Nicely done! I used this as a refresher, I’m about to do my wife’s van and wanted to make sure I don’t miss any steps! Thank you!
This is a superb video. I, along with my son, watched this video and realized that it is such an easy job and we could easily do ourselves, so why pay a shop? We completed the first side in 75 minutes, because we weren't super organized and the rotor was practically welded on. The second side took 20 minutes and was a breeze. A HUGE thank you for making this video.
Wow.. you literally saved my life. My brakes start making crazy noise aound 8 pm night.. all shops closed. I went to closes Advanced parts grub 1 pare beake and changed brake pads following your instructions. Thank you so much!! Great vide
awesome!!! I'm a 37 year old mom of 6, it helps to be able to make as much repairs as i can myself to save money. this video is very detailed, clear and concise. Thank you so much
Well, just finished watching the video and I own a similar vehicle (2006 Grand Caravan). I just finished changing my spark plugs, ignition cables, and coil box and was inspired by your break job. Actually, I will do my breaks next. Thank you so very much for the clear instructions.
Thank you for you video. i feel much better now about changing the brake pads. I was told, Dodge Grand Caravan break pads would cost me $700.00 per wheel by a mechanic. I should have known to check it out on RUclips first because there is pretty much someone who has been through this process. Thank you again.
Thank you for the video. My 15 yrs old son watched your video and he installed (with my assistance) the breaks pads and rotors to our van…. Excellent video!!! 🇺🇸😊👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
I've done this several times on my old 97 voyager, and it's a bit of a treat to find out that it's the exact same procedure for my 08 grand caravan. Confidence +100%! Thanks for posting this!
Actually, your video is of the highest quality for an armature. One of the best I have ever seen. You are precise, articulate, clear and methodical in your instructions. Very well done and exactly what I need. Thank you for a video well done!
I decided to come on and watch a video on how to change the brakes on my vehicle as it is at a mechanic shop RIGHT now and they just called to give me the "run down" on what all needs done. Changing the brakes and calibers was one and I'm being quoted over 2,000$ CAD to have this done. They also said the front and back brakes needed done, then said the spark plugs needed replacing and there is a leak on the transmission cooler fluid. And to fix all these problems it would 3,900.82 (CAD) I told them to continue with the oil change but please put my vehicle back together. I feel like this quote was very high. Especially after watching this video. I'm excited actually to try it myself maybe. My husband said he could do it himself, but at the very least I want to be in there helping! :-) great video. I'll definitely be checking out some more of your videos.
I replaced the pads and rotors on my 2012 Grand Caravan today. It was a very quick and easy job. Not only did I save a lot of money, I saved time. It took me less time to do the whole job than it would have taken to drop off and pick up the car at the shop.
Many instructions doesn't warn people about reservoir levels. I took my car to an auto lube and they topped off my reservoir. A bit of a surprise when I pushed my caliper in on my first brake job... (before RUclips). Excellent video! I have to work on my 2012 Grand Caravan and this will help. Don't forget to pump the brakes before moving the vehicle. Without pumping the brakes first, the car may not stop when put in gear.
This video is awesome. I was able to change my rotors and brakes using only the instructions here. To be honest, I've never done any vehicle maintenance in my life so that speaks volumes of the quality here. Thanks!
These videos are really informative and compressive for DIY people like me to know and understand the process of doing work. The information takes the fear away for DIY person like me. The information safety part is also very good. Every little secret tip helps. I am always watch these videos before doing work or just for fun of it.
I don't know how you filmed this so well! You got right in there with the camera and helped tremendously!! Not lying your video saved me a little over $200 bucks! Mechanic wanted over $400 for parts and labor so thank you very much for this awesome work!
Jesus, had no idea it was this simple. I didn't grow up around cars. didn't have a father around who showed me this stuff so I always go to a mechanic. Never again. Great video. Anyone can do this. I'll be doing it this weekend myself thanks to you.
I've done all my own brake jobs since I started driving, including a few cars with drum brakes! This is my first crack at my 2009 Caravan, your video answered all my little questions about this job before starting. This is a very well done, complete video and I would recommend it to any novice.
Great video; worked as advertised and saved me quite a bit of money on a dealer job. I found out that the last brake replacement had grossly overtorqued caliper bolts and 3 of the brake pad abutment clips were missing, so doing it myself was really satisfying. A couple things I would add as a first-timer: clean rust and dirt off the surfaces that the new rotors will be contacting to ensure good contact, and make sure that you pump the brakes before you start up the vehicle to wake up the caliper piston; sure was a surprise initially not to have braking power after having just replaced the brakes!
Thank you so much for posting this video. I saved hundreds of dollars by doing this myself...with your help. Instructions were clear and easy to understand. Thanks a lot!!!
Just did my rotors and pads in under an hour. This video is dead on, excellent step by step direction to get the job done. Rotors and pads cost me 98.00 delivered to my door. Local shop quoted me 320. Feels good to do it yourself as well as to save a few hundred!!!
Where did you find rotors and pads for $98?!? My rotors were $49.99 each for the cheap-o Duralast at Autozone. My pads were $22.99 for the set (again cheap-o Duralast). But figure the shop wanted $240+tax so I'm still ahead of the game I guess. But I'd love to do it for under $100!! Let me know so I can order them on the next brake job! Thanks.
This video is very well made, narrated and edited. It is very thorough. Now I am sure I'll be able to change my van's front brake pads confidently, and save couple of hundred dollars.
Thanks for this video! I changed them out on our 2010 Grand Caravan. It took a little bit to get the rusted rotors off, but your steps made it simple over all.
Awesome video!!!! I just replaced my front brake pads and saved myself $110. I have a 2007 Dodge Caravan and your video was so easy to follow. Thank you.
Tremendous video, thank you for posting. I completed this job and it was very simple; other than the lug nuts on my 2011 DGC (113,000 miles) had swollen so the 19mm socket didn't fit. Was able to get them off with a 20mm socket and then purchased new lug nuts at a local dealership. Only other note, I had to use a heavy hammer to loosen my old rotors for removal. Again - thanks for this great video!
This tutorial was great. I changed my 2009 Grand Caravan pads and rotors today. The only thing I would also add is to help turn the wheel so that everything is facing out. This helped me tremendously so I could get better leverage. Also if you have a situation where the rotor is rusted to the axle. Check out videos on getting that loose with out a hammer or heat. I found one using Grade 8 3 inch x 1/2 inch bolts, nuts and washers. Worked like a charm. Again thanks for this video was very helpful.
This is the Gold Standard for how-to videos. No incessant chatter, and (almost) all of the whys taken care of. I say "almost" as a note that one must NOT hang the caliper from the hydraulic line would have been good. You do mention hanging it from a wire, but a "why" would be nice here. I'm getting ready to do a pad & rotor swap and was looking to see if there were any hidden "gotchas" in the procedure.
Excellent tutorial of brake repair. I have to do my brakes and this video really helped me determine whether I was capable of doing the repair myself. Will let you know tomorrow if I was able to complete the repair, pray for me that all goes well...thanks for the video....God Bless
Thank you for this video. I followed your instructions and change my brakes in no time. Not only I've learn something new, but also I saved $270 (this is how much my mechanic would have charged me) .
Hi, there! Please include in this video (as in the one on the rear brakes) that the very FIRST thing to do after changing any brake assembly is to PUMP THE BRAKES UNTIL THEY FEEL NORMAL. I replaced the brakes on a Grand Caravan recently and afterward just missed backing into a parked vehicle in a maintenance shop where I had been working because I didn't start pumping the brakes until AFTER I started moving! I backed out of the lift bay and applied the brakes so that I would go slowly, but to my horror, none of the brakes worked, although I was pumping them furiously! Seeing a beautiful truck in my rear view, I cut the wheel hard and finally slammed to a stop into a cabinet instead of the truck in the bay behind mine! Whew! The guys had said to me several times as I finished the job, "don't forget to pump your brakes," but they neglected to say, "BEFORE you start moving!". So, now I have a some unsightly damage to my tailgate to remind me of what I learned today, but thankfully, no one was hurt and there was minimal property damage otherwise! Thank God! Critical Detail!
Joe Boxer a few things: a good mechanic will pump and then test drive before handing the vehicle back to you. Secondly, you could have just popped the van into park. At that slow of a speed that would have not been a problem for the transmission and would have stopped you.
nice video,i like that you torque to specs,always clean the new rotor with some brake cleaner.they use a oil base to keep them from rusting on the shelve.
Great video. You were very detailed in the procedure. The only thing I would add, is to put some grease on the replaceable clips so the pads slide easily. Thanks for putting this up. I have to do this job for the same reason you gave. A shaking wheel when braking. I never did it on this model, so it's really nice to see someone as thorough as you do it first. Thanks again, and give your daughter a hug. She's so cute! :)
thank you for making the video, you are a very good teacher and the camera work is great too!! i am going to try to do my brakes this weekend, i am 56 and i have never done brakes but it looks so easy thanks to you! best wishes and keep up the good work!
Nice video. I've done brake jobs on all my other vehicles but was struggling with this one. Most of the time the brakes slip right in place, but I couldn't get mine in place. I found your video and noticed how you had the squeeze yours in. It worked! Thanks for making this video!
awesome video! helped me as a first timer and my Dad who hadn't worked on a dodge before. Did pads and rotors all around. you did a great job on the camera angles and everything was well lit and easy to see.
You are very good at explaining how to do this and making it so that a person like me can understand it in detail and step by step.Thank you for the advice I have to do my girlfriends brake pads today on her 2009 Dodge Caravan and I'm so glad I seen your video to walk me thru this it will be my first time and now I think I can do it .Thanks a lot!
I just replaced my front rotors and break pads while following this video, everything went just as your video showed. The only thing was my rotors were stuck in place so i used a small sledge to and banged it near the lug nut holes until ti came free, sometimes they stick because of the rust. Other than that it went smoothly. Thanks for the great video!
excellent production value in this video very thorough and I would like to also add putting the cap back on and pumping the brakes one time also the condition of the brake fluid needed to be flushed overall excellent video
Really appreciate this vid. Wife took the Caravan in and was told it'll cost almost 900 to replace just the front brakes and something with calipers. I had already replaced my own brakes before so this was a refresher. No way I'm paying almost 900 for only two brakes. May as well replace the rotors as well
awesome video. explained the tools at the beginning, talked out each step including what socket size, slider service, torque settings, clear video. first time i ever changed brakes. maybe the SOA will hire me for their garage operation now...
Thanks for being thorough with your instructions. First video I watched with excellent instructions for even the Factory Jack placement and not some fancy model that doesnt go in the same spot. Definitely worth a like + sub
The dealerships depend on the general publics ignorance to keep their cash flow healthy. Automobiles are a multi-billion dollar business and they will keep using technology to make it next to impossible to do routine maintenance in the future. You can save yourself a small fortune by following videos just like yours and doing routine maintenance like this. Thanks for this video and saving me close to $500 from my gouging dealership garage. Get stuffed Chysler!
VERY helpful video. Recently changed the rotors and brakes on our 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan and this helped us gain a better understanding of what to expect and do. 👌
I would have love to see how you handled the removal of a stuck rotor. But this is the best video I have watched. Great explanations and visual was excellent!
Thanks for the video everything was a snap except getting the old rotors off. I had to heat them up with a torch as i saw in another video and bang the crap out of them with a mallot but they came off eventually. I'm not sure I would recommend this job to a soccer mom as getting that 125 lbs calliper bolt off took quite a bit of muscle and I'm a strong guy. I suppose I could have turned the wheel a bit and used the breaker bar on it. Anyway, thanks for the help on my first break job. saved me about $500.00.
Great video. After watching it I was able to change my brakes and rotors in no time with full confidence. The only thing that could have made it easier would be to tell your viewers about how the clips go on a certain way, and also leave one bolt in when you take the calipers off so it doesn't swing out when you try to loosen the other one. A quick note to self but other than that a top notch video thank you so much
Called Sears, they don't do brakes. Called CarMax, I get a discount on services there, no answer. I used this video to change the front pads on my Town and Country. First time. Thank you for the great video.
This was an amaxing vid instructional. Mentioning all the tequired tools and pressure amounts. Thank you very much for it. I am one happy van owner! Keep up the excellent tutorials!
Great job on the video and very well explained. I have a 2007 SXT and the clips are different and need a pair of needle nose pliers to remove and install. also the bolts holding the calipers is not a 13 mm socket, its a star bit socket.
Thanks for the tutorials on the 2010 Town and Country brakes. I have done brakes many times in my younger years but have lost a bit of confidence when it comes to the newer models. It was so good to watch the process once and see that not much has changed. Also, I found it very helpful using regular tools and jacks. What a great idea. I hope you realize how helpful it is to be explained the proper use of these simple tools. (like where to place the jack) . This was a big question for me as in my 2007 T&C, before it was totaled in a wreck, I tried to lift the front and just bent everything up. I don't think I had the jack in the right place. I also watched your rear brake change, wish you would have used the simple jack method for that one too. But, from a guy trying to save $ wherever and whenever possible, me and my family thank you for taking the time to explain. Sincerely, thank you - John in TX.
Excellent video. Camera well positioned, you could understand each step well. I wanted to do it myself, but unfortunately I don't have the necessary tools. Thank you very much for the video anyway, it really encouraged me to think about buying tools.
I'm glad I watched this vid.....just bought my 2005 DGC used this past summer. .. didn't know about the 15mm nut on the slider bolts? never had to do that on my Lincoln navigator or my BMW 325i before. ..
your video is the best tutorial, fulm of details and you showed step by step procedure. thank you very much and yes you're right I am very proud of what I accomplished thanks to you!!!
Nice video sir, But remember to inform the viewers that after the compress the calipers they should also recap the reservoir. And then check the level after finishing.
A good tip to not damage the piston with the C clamp is to place the old brake pad against the piston before using the C clamp. This will ensure you do not damage the piston. Other than that this was a great video with clear cut explanations. Job very well done.
Was going to say the same thing. You can always buy a break caliper piston tool kit from eBay instead of using a c clamp. Great video, thank you
also should note to clean rotor with brake cleaner before installing and put brake grease on brake pad.
I watch a few of these how to videos before I attempt auto repairs. Usually I find I can do most work myself after doing my research. Your video was extremely well done. it was a nice touch having your daughter show where the jack would be found. Please let her know that I said that she did a great job.
Being a mom of four sons, I love the idea she can be on the video...it shows she can be a part of what's going on, and I have done front brakes before, and starters, and alternators, and master cylinders, and I hope she goes on to do more automotive repairs like I have. It's valuable to say the least. She did a good job
Even though this video is 10 years old, it is probably one of the best videos I have seen to date in regard to giving you detailed information to complete the job. Great work.
This is one of the best basic car repair videos around! I've changed pads & rotors before, but I just got a new Grand Caravan so I wanted to see what the process looked like on the van. Mentioning the amount of force that should be required to undo different bolts is very helpful: I'm always worried I'm gonna brake something off...again...
I am a female and have some mechanic experience but I always try to watch a video on my projects first. You have one of the best, easiest videos I have used. Thank you
Great video, but a few things that should be pointed out. You should never use a C-clamp directly on the piston. Put the old brake pad in there first. Also, make sure the swivel pad on the forcing screw is on the piston side. In this case, you were applying the force to the piston at an angle, because of the manner in which you used the clamp. This can cock the piston in the bore and induce problems down the road. Some pistons are made from composite materials and can crack or break if done this way. I always put a large flat screwdriver between the pad and the rotor and slowly pull on the screwdriver to gently force the piston back into the caliper before removing any bolts. If the bleeder screw isn't seized, it's best to open it up before retracting the piston, to expel the fluid from the caliper bore. The fluid in the caliper is subject to extreme heat, and as such, becomes contaminated and less effective, so it should not be allowed to be sent back into the master cylinder. The most overlooked part of almost every DIY brake job is the condition of the caliper bracket under those stainless clips. Rust jacking is very common here and the corrosion should be removed and treated before replacing the clips. Make sure to only (repeatedly) push the brake pedal half way or less to reseat the brakes when done. Forcing the master cylinder all the way to the floor, can send the MC piston seals into a position where they don't normally reach and crud usually accumulates there. This can score the seals, leading to premature MC failure.
Please explain in dummy terms (for me) what a "bleeder screw" is and where it is located. Thank you.
The bleeder screw is a small (hollow) hex shaped screw on the back side of the caliper. It is used to "bleed the air from the brake lines"...the part that he hung with the wire. He got around not having to bleed the air from the system because he did not open the screw to drain any fluid, so the system remained "bled" or air free. Had he replaced the caliper, he would have had to remove the brake line, thus inducing air into the system & then would have to use the bleeder screw to "bleed the brakes". Bleeder screws are often a pain to open on old calipers because they are soft metal & they like to corrode (get stuck)...which often times leads to rounding off the head or breaking it off inside the caliper. Watch videos on "how to bleed brakes" for more info.
Great video!! Was able to change 4 sets of pads in less than 2 1/2 hours. This video was clear and precise, and instilled a sense of confidence. I highly recommend watching this video if you are not familiar with pad installation.
Having done many brakes in the past, I wanted a refresher. Well done. Very well done. But I have to give you credit, I listened to the last bit just to make sure I did not forget somethings. And you said " Don' forget the wire." and yes I did. Thank you. I forgot the stupid coat hanger. Very, very smart you are.
perfect in our time of need. my husband was in the process of changing out the brakes on our 2009 Dodge Journey and did not know what to do. after praying your video came up and was great! just what we needed Praise God! thank you so very much.
Thank you so much for your great instruction and guidance. I performed our brake job with my 20 year old son on his birthday, and he enjoyed doing it with me! It wasn't a horrible time of struggle due to your easy step by step guidance! Thanks again!!
I've never done much DIY auto repair, but after watching this video I was confident I could do the job. Yesterday afternoon I successfully replaced the front brake pads and rotors on my 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan with some help from the 'loaner tool' program at Auto Zone, and some borrowed jack stands from my neighbor. Thanks for the post, it was very helpful!
If you are not a teacher then the world is missing out. Went outside with my son and finished both front brakes in an hour. Thanks you saved me quite a bit of money.
This video was so very concise, excellent video angles and clarity and narrated clearly. I wish ALL car repair tutorials were like this! To think, after 9 years of being posted your content is still valid and extremely useful! I was about to take my van in for front brakes to be done, but after seeing this, I am very interested in completing this myself! Thank you!
Excellent video - the narrator's straightforwardness and cadence kind of reminded me of Mr. Rogers explaining the basics to a child, and I mean that in the best way.
Thanks for sharing your video with us! After watching the video I am going to try and do a brake job on my mini-van. I have never attempted this before.
I'm a 56-year old woman and NOW have the confidence I needed to get the job done! Thank so much!!
I spent $65 for parts and the rotors being turned. 45 minutes actual working time and 3 hrs waiting on the rotors.
The tire shop quoted us $225 for parts and labor. I saved $160 by doing it myself. This video saved me lots of time by being able to go to the task well prepared.
Thanks for sharing your video.
Awesome video! Not only was it straight forward and easy to follow, you were your own camera man! Nicely done! I used this as a refresher, I’m about to do my wife’s van and wanted to make sure I don’t miss any steps! Thank you!
This is a superb video. I, along with my son, watched this video and realized that it is such an easy job and we could easily do ourselves, so why pay a shop? We completed the first side in 75 minutes, because we weren't super organized and the rotor was practically welded on. The second side took 20 minutes and was a breeze. A HUGE thank you for making this video.
Wow.. you literally saved my life. My brakes start making crazy noise aound 8 pm night.. all shops closed. I went to closes Advanced parts grub 1 pare beake and changed brake pads following your instructions. Thank you so much!! Great vide
awesome!!! I'm a 37 year old mom of 6, it helps to be able to make as much repairs as i can myself to save money. this video is very detailed, clear and concise. Thank you so much
Well, just finished watching the video and I own a similar vehicle (2006 Grand Caravan). I just finished changing my spark plugs, ignition cables, and coil box and was inspired by your break job. Actually, I will do my breaks next. Thank you so very much for the clear instructions.
I like the listing of the tools needed at the beginning. That was exactly the info I needed ahead of time, in order to follow along
Thank you for you video. i feel much better now about changing the brake pads. I was told, Dodge Grand Caravan break pads would cost me $700.00 per wheel by a mechanic. I should have known to check it out on RUclips first because there is pretty much someone who has been through this process. Thank you again.
Thank you for the video. My 15 yrs old son watched your video and he installed (with my assistance) the breaks pads and rotors to our van…. Excellent video!!! 🇺🇸😊👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
I've done this several times on my old 97 voyager, and it's a bit of a treat to find out that it's the exact same procedure for my 08 grand caravan. Confidence +100%! Thanks for posting this!
Actually, your video is of the highest quality for an armature. One of the best I have ever seen. You are precise, articulate, clear and methodical in your instructions. Very well done and exactly what I need. Thank you for a video well done!
I decided to come on and watch a video on how to change the brakes on my vehicle as it is at a mechanic shop RIGHT now and they just called to give me the "run down" on what all needs done.
Changing the brakes and calibers was one and I'm being quoted over 2,000$ CAD to have this done.
They also said the front and back brakes needed done, then said the spark plugs needed replacing and there is a leak on the transmission cooler fluid. And to fix all these problems it would 3,900.82 (CAD)
I told them to continue with the oil change but please put my vehicle back together. I feel like this quote was very high. Especially after watching this video. I'm excited actually to try it myself maybe.
My husband said he could do it himself, but at the very least I want to be in there helping! :-) great video. I'll definitely be checking out some more of your videos.
I replaced the pads and rotors on my 2012 Grand Caravan today. It was a very quick and easy job. Not only did I save a lot of money, I saved time. It took me less time to do the whole job than it would have taken to drop off and pick up the car at the shop.
Many instructions doesn't warn people about reservoir levels. I took my car to an auto lube and they topped off my reservoir. A bit of a surprise when I pushed my caliper in on my first brake job... (before RUclips). Excellent video! I have to work on my 2012 Grand Caravan and this will help. Don't forget to pump the brakes before moving the vehicle. Without pumping the brakes first, the car may not stop when put in gear.
I've changed brake pads in the past. Your video helped me validate "the how to" on changing the brake pads. Thank you so much. 😊
This video is awesome. I was able to change my rotors and brakes using only the instructions here. To be honest, I've never done any vehicle maintenance in my life so that speaks volumes of the quality here. Thanks!
These videos are really informative and compressive for DIY people like me to know and understand the process of doing work. The information takes the fear away for DIY person like me. The information safety part is also very good. Every little secret tip helps. I am always watch these videos before doing work or just for fun of it.
It's been 15 years since I've owned a Caravan, glad to see they changed the design on that caliper slide bolt. Much easier. Nice video.
I don't know how you filmed this so well! You got right in there with the camera and helped tremendously!! Not lying your video saved me a little over $200 bucks! Mechanic wanted over $400 for parts and labor so thank you very much for this awesome work!
Jesus, had no idea it was this simple. I didn't grow up around cars. didn't have a father around who showed me this stuff so I always go to a mechanic. Never again. Great video. Anyone can do this. I'll be doing it this weekend myself thanks to you.
I've done all my own brake jobs since I started driving, including a few cars with drum brakes! This is my first crack at my 2009 Caravan, your video answered all my little questions about this job before starting. This is a very well done, complete video and I would recommend it to any novice.
Thank you for making this video 6 years ago, so I could change my brakes today.
Great video; worked as advertised and saved me quite a bit of money on a dealer job. I found out that the last brake replacement had grossly overtorqued caliper bolts and 3 of the brake pad abutment clips were missing, so doing it myself was really satisfying.
A couple things I would add as a first-timer: clean rust and dirt off the surfaces that the new rotors will be contacting to ensure good contact, and make sure that you pump the brakes before you start up the vehicle to wake up the caliper piston; sure was a surprise initially not to have braking power after having just replaced the brakes!
Thank you so much for posting this video. I saved hundreds of dollars by doing this myself...with your help. Instructions were clear and easy to understand. Thanks a lot!!!
Just did my rotors and pads in under an hour. This video is dead on, excellent step by step direction to get the job done. Rotors and pads cost me 98.00 delivered to my door. Local shop quoted me 320. Feels good to do it yourself as well as to save a few hundred!!!
Where did you find rotors and pads for $98?!? My rotors were $49.99 each for the cheap-o Duralast at Autozone. My pads were $22.99 for the set (again cheap-o Duralast). But figure the shop wanted $240+tax so I'm still ahead of the game I guess. But I'd love to do it for under $100!! Let me know so I can order them on the next brake job! Thanks.
This video is very well made, narrated and edited. It is very thorough. Now I am sure I'll be able to change my van's front brake pads confidently, and save couple of hundred dollars.
Thanks for this video! I changed them out on our 2010 Grand Caravan. It took a little bit to get the rusted rotors off, but your steps made it simple over all.
Awesome video!!!! I just replaced my front brake pads and saved myself $110. I have a 2007 Dodge Caravan and your video was so easy to follow. Thank you.
Gary Canavan I have the same year where should I get the parts
Tremendous video, thank you for posting. I completed this job and it was very simple; other than the lug nuts on my 2011 DGC (113,000 miles) had swollen so the 19mm socket didn't fit. Was able to get them off with a 20mm socket and then purchased new lug nuts at a local dealership. Only other note, I had to use a heavy hammer to loosen my old rotors for removal. Again - thanks for this great video!
This tutorial was great. I changed my 2009 Grand Caravan pads and rotors today. The only thing I would also add is to help turn the wheel so that everything is facing out. This helped me tremendously so I could get better leverage. Also if you have a situation where the rotor is rusted to the axle. Check out videos on getting that loose with out a hammer or heat. I found one using Grade 8 3 inch x 1/2 inch bolts, nuts and washers. Worked like a charm. Again thanks for this video was very helpful.
Love how you simply explain the work,not boring.Great job.
First time replacing the front set. Have done the rear and it wasn't too bad. Thank you for your time in making this video
This man should be a teacher! This was the last of 3 tutorials I watched, the other two were a waste of time. Thank you s much for the help!!!!!
This is the Gold Standard for how-to videos. No incessant chatter, and (almost) all of the whys taken care of. I say "almost" as a note that one must NOT hang the caliper from the hydraulic line would have been good. You do mention hanging it from a wire, but a "why" would be nice here. I'm getting ready to do a pad & rotor swap and was looking to see if there were any hidden "gotchas" in the procedure.
Excellent tutorial of brake repair. I have to do my brakes and this video really helped me determine whether I was capable of doing the repair myself. Will let you know tomorrow if I was able to complete the repair, pray for me that all goes well...thanks for the video....God Bless
Went out this morning and changed the front brake pads on my 09 Grand Caravan. Thank you for this video.
Great video. Well described and explained how to remove and replace. Thank you, from 64 years old female. Love and light
Thank you for this video. I followed your instructions and change my brakes in no time. Not only I've learn something new, but also I saved $270 (this is how much my mechanic would have charged me) .
Hi, there! Please include in this video (as in the one on the rear brakes) that the very FIRST thing to do after changing any brake assembly is to PUMP THE BRAKES UNTIL THEY FEEL NORMAL. I replaced the brakes on a Grand Caravan recently and afterward just missed backing into a parked vehicle in a maintenance shop where I had been working because I didn't start pumping the brakes until AFTER I started moving! I backed out of the lift bay and applied the brakes so that I would go slowly, but to my horror, none of the brakes worked, although I was pumping them furiously! Seeing a beautiful truck in my rear view, I cut the wheel hard and finally slammed to a stop into a cabinet instead of the truck in the bay behind mine! Whew! The guys had said to me several times as I finished the job, "don't forget to pump your brakes," but they neglected to say, "BEFORE you start moving!". So, now I have a some unsightly damage to my tailgate to remind me of what I learned today, but thankfully, no one was hurt and there was minimal property damage otherwise! Thank God! Critical Detail!
Joe Boxer a few things: a good mechanic will pump and then test drive before handing the vehicle back to you. Secondly, you could have just popped the van into park. At that slow of a speed that would have not been a problem for the transmission and would have stopped you.
thank you for the straight to the point and easy instructions, I will be changing my brakes today by myself...
awesome video the dealership tried to charge me 250 dollars just to change the brake pads thanks again for educating me on this threw your video
nice video,i like that you torque to specs,always clean the new rotor with some brake cleaner.they use a oil base to keep them from rusting on the shelve.
Great video. You were very detailed in the procedure. The only thing I would add, is to put some grease on the replaceable clips so the pads slide easily. Thanks for putting this up. I have to do this job for the same reason you gave. A shaking wheel when braking. I never did it on this model, so it's really nice to see someone as thorough as you do it first. Thanks again, and give your daughter a hug. She's so cute! :)
thank you for making the video, you are a very good teacher and the camera work is great too!! i am going to try to do my brakes this weekend, i am 56 and i have never done brakes but it looks so easy thanks to you! best wishes and keep up the good work!
Nice video. I've done brake jobs on all my other vehicles but was struggling with this one. Most of the time the brakes slip right in place, but I couldn't get mine in place. I found your video and noticed how you had the squeeze yours in. It worked!
Thanks for making this video!
Don't forget to pump to the brakes a few times before you drive off!!
awesome video! helped me as a first timer and my Dad who hadn't worked on a dodge before. Did pads and rotors all around. you did a great job on the camera angles and everything was well lit and easy to see.
You are very good at explaining how to do this and making it so that a person like me can understand it in detail and step by step.Thank you for the advice I have to do my girlfriends brake pads today on her 2009 Dodge Caravan and I'm so glad I seen your video to walk me thru this it will be my first time and now I think I can do it .Thanks a lot!
I just replaced my front rotors and break pads while following this video, everything went just as your video showed. The only thing was my rotors were stuck in place so i used a small sledge to and banged it near the lug nut holes until ti came free, sometimes they stick because of the rust. Other than that it went smoothly. Thanks for the great video!
excellent production value in this video very thorough and I would like to also add putting the cap back on and pumping the brakes one time also the condition of the brake fluid needed to be flushed overall excellent video
Never attempted brakes before changed all sorts on my xr2, nearly rebuilt my rx7 engine yet brakes always deterred me this video makes it look easy
Really appreciate this vid. Wife took the Caravan in and was told it'll cost almost 900 to replace just the front brakes and something with calipers. I had already replaced my own brakes before so this was a refresher. No way I'm paying almost 900 for only two brakes. May as well replace the rotors as well
awesome video. explained the tools at the beginning, talked out each step including what socket size, slider service, torque settings, clear video. first time i ever changed brakes. maybe the SOA will hire me for their garage operation now...
Great instruction video! Changed brake pads for the first time ever, and only took a couple of hours. Thanks.
Thanks for being thorough with your instructions. First video I watched with excellent instructions for even the Factory Jack placement and not some fancy model that doesnt go in the same spot. Definitely worth a like + sub
The dealerships depend on the general publics ignorance to keep their cash flow healthy. Automobiles are a multi-billion dollar business and they will keep using technology to make it next to impossible to do routine maintenance in the future. You can save yourself a small fortune by following videos just like yours and doing routine maintenance like this. Thanks for this video and saving me close to $500 from my gouging dealership garage. Get stuffed Chysler!
VERY helpful video. Recently changed the rotors and brakes on our 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan and this helped us gain a better understanding of what to expect and do. 👌
Just got ✔️ done with my brakes , I can't Thank You Enough Sir...greetings to you and your people. ! !
I would have love to see how you handled the removal of a stuck rotor. But this is the best video I have watched. Great explanations and visual was excellent!
Thanks for the video everything was a snap except getting the old rotors off. I had to heat them up with a torch as i saw in another video and bang the crap out of them with a mallot but they came off eventually. I'm not sure I would recommend this job to a soccer mom as getting that 125 lbs calliper bolt off took quite a bit of muscle and I'm a strong guy. I suppose I could have turned the wheel a bit and used the breaker bar on it. Anyway, thanks for the help on my first break job. saved me about $500.00.
Thanks, brake job made easy by following the video. No problems,and saved me a lot of money instead of paying a lot at a garage.
Sir I truely enjoyed you video on dodge caravan. You saved me some money plus inspired me to take on a couple of othe miner tasks on my van. Thank you
Great video. After watching it I was able to change my brakes and rotors in no time with full confidence. The only thing that could have made it easier would be to tell your viewers about how the clips go on a certain way, and also leave one bolt in when you take the calipers off so it doesn't swing out when you try to loosen the other one. A quick note to self but other than that a top notch video thank you so much
Always apply your brakes pumping them till there tight a few times , after closing the reservoir lid . Excellent video definitely thumbs up
Called Sears, they don't do brakes. Called CarMax, I get a discount on services there, no answer. I used this video to change the front pads on my Town and Country. First time. Thank you for the great video.
I need to do this job and I thank you for the clear concise way you demonstrated the procedure.
This was an amaxing vid instructional. Mentioning all the tequired tools and pressure amounts. Thank you very much for it. I am one happy van owner! Keep up the excellent tutorials!
Great job on the video and very well explained. I have a 2007 SXT and the clips are different and need a pair of needle nose pliers to remove and install. also the bolts holding the calipers is not a 13 mm socket, its a star bit socket.
Thank you for the uploading, it's really simple and helpful for the first time. Greetings from Hungary (owner of a 2011 Grand Caravan).
Thanks for the tutorials on the 2010 Town and Country brakes. I have done brakes many times in my younger years but have lost a bit of confidence when it comes to the newer models. It was so good to watch the process once and see that not much has changed. Also, I found it very helpful using regular tools and jacks. What a great idea. I hope you realize how helpful it is to be explained the proper use of these simple tools. (like where to place the jack) . This was a big question for me as in my 2007 T&C, before it was totaled in a wreck, I tried to lift the front and just bent everything up. I don't think I had the jack in the right place. I also watched your rear brake change, wish you would have used the simple jack method for that one too. But, from a guy trying to save $ wherever and whenever possible, me and my family thank you for taking the time to explain. Sincerely, thank you - John in TX.
Excellent video. Camera well positioned, you could understand each step well.
I wanted to do it myself, but unfortunately I don't have the necessary tools.
Thank you very much for the video anyway, it really encouraged me to think about buying tools.
Thanks for this...very helpful. Changed my brakes and rotors for the the first time today.
Thanks your video was very simple and easily explained so anyone could follow your excellent instructions. Thanks for sharing this with us. Good job.
I'm glad I watched this vid.....just bought my 2005 DGC used this past summer. .. didn't know about the 15mm nut on the slider bolts? never had to do that on my Lincoln navigator or my BMW 325i before. ..
Followed the directions you gave and used the tools you listed. Thank you! It worked perfectly.
Excellent video........your directions where easy to follow and understand. Wish I could have had this on my previous vans.
One of the best videos I've seen on repairing my car
I thank you for this video. My husband and I were able to change the front brake pads on our 2008 dodge caravan. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for a well-done video! I used it as a reference guide while doing this job last weekend and the vehicle stops wonderfully now.
Great video. Thanks for taking the time for us who are sometimes afraid to work on the new model cars.
Yes I changed my break on my old dodge Caravan. This clip helped me a lot on how to go about it. well explained. thanks for sharing.
your video is the best tutorial, fulm of details and you showed step by step procedure. thank you very much and yes you're right I am very proud of what I accomplished thanks to you!!!
Nice video sir, But remember to inform the viewers that after the compress the calipers they should also recap the reservoir. And then check the level after finishing.
CSM. Rene Rivera and
L yoru can,see jimmy
Very nicely done video. One of the best DIY how-to videos I have seen. Thank You.
Oh my God, simply the best “how to” video I’ve watched, Thank you so much. I’d love to subscribe
Great video! I am looking forward to doing this project myself and saving money. Great job telling the exact tools and torq specs.