When the rotors on your Dodge Caravan get warped or worn down, you might notice a pulsing or shuddering coming through the brake pedal when you hit the brakes. Replacing the rotors is easier than you might think, and with the right tools and a little know-how, you can do the job yourself.
Buy rotors online or from your local auto parts store. Be sure to replace all of the rotors at once for even braking performance, or at least change the front or rear pairs together. If your brake pads are worn down, go ahead and replace those as well to get the most out of your new rotors.
Raise the van using jacks and jackstands and be sure to block the wheels to keep the van from moving while you work. Next, remove the lug nuts and wheel assembly with a socket wrench and set this aside.
Loosen the two mounting bolts that hold the caliper adapter with the caliper to the steering knuckle. Be sure to avoid disconnecting the attached brake hose as you do this. Use mechanic's wire to hold the caliper and adapter safely out of the way.
Unscrew the retainer clips and then pull the old rotor off of the mounting studs. Clean the area with a damp cloth to remove any debris or corrosion.
Install the new rotor and retainer clips. Then slide the caliper adapter and caliper back into place and replace the mounting bolts onto the steering knuckle using a torque wrench. Torque to 125 ft. lbs. (169 Nm).
Replace the wheel assembly and tire. Move on and repeat this process for each additional rotor. When you've finished, lower the vehicle, tighten the lug nuts with a torque wrench or air ratchet with an appropriate adapter, and then road test your Dodge Caravan to make sure everything is working properly.
