Brake Pads/Shoes - Front (Except SRT-4): Removal
- Raise the vehicle.
- Remove both front tire and wheel assemblies from vehicle.
- Begin on one side of the vehicle.
- Remove the 2 brake caliper guide pin bolts.
- Remove the disc brake caliper from the steering knuckle. The caliper is removed by first tipping either the top (right side caliper) or bottom (left side caliper) of the caliper away from the brake rotor, then pulling the caliper off the opposite end's caliper slide abutment (on the knuckle) and brake rotor.
- Support the caliper using a wire or cord to prevent the weight of caliper from damaging the brake hose. DO NOT let the caliper hang by the brake hose.
- Remove the outboard brake shoe from the caliper by prying the shoe retaining clip over the raised area on the caliper. Slide the brake shoe down and off of the caliper. See Fig 1.
- Pull the inboard brake shoe away from the caliper piston until the retaining clip is out of the cavity in the piston and remove the shoe. See Fig 2.
- Repeat the above procedure to the front brakes on the opposite side of the vehicle.
NOTE:
Some vehicles use a different lining material on the front disc brake shoes than other vehicles. When new brake shoes are installed, be sure the brake shoes for the correct type of brake system are used.
NOTE:
In some cases, it may be necessary to retract the caliper piston in its bore a small amount in order to provide sufficient clearance between the shoes and the rotor to easily remove the caliper from the knuckle. This can usually be accomplished before the guide pin bolts are removed, by grasping the rear of the caliper and pulling outward working with the guide pins, thus retracting the piston. Never push on the piston directly as it may get damaged.