Although the front brake pads on your 2005 Chrysler Town & Country will probably need to be replaced more often than the rear brakes, there will probably come a time when you need to replace both the rear and front brakes at the same time. You can save a substantial amount of money by replacing the brakes yourself as long as you have some moderate mechanical ability and a free afternoon. It is also recommended that you take some extra time to check the rotors, when replacing the pads, because the pads will work best with smooth rotors.
Park the minivan on a flat, paved surface and set the emergency brake.
Drain most, but not all, of the brake fluid from the master cylinder with a turkey baster and put the fluid in a drain pan for disposal.
Remove the front hubcaps with a tire tool then loosen the lug nuts with the tire tool's lug wrench. Raise the front of the minivan with a jack, place jack stands beneath the axle on either side and slowly lower the jack until the vehicle rests on the stands. Remove the lug nuts with the lug wrench then remove the front wheels.
Unbolt the two primary caliper mounting bolts, located on the top and bottom of one side of the caliper, with a ratchet and socket.
Remove the brake hose from the caliper and slide the caliper up and off the brake rotor manually.
Remove the brake pads from the caliper.
Retract the caliper piston with a C-clamp. Use one of the old brake pads placed between the C-clamp and the bottom of the piston to protect the piston.
Insert the new brake pad and release the C-clamp from the piston.
Reinstall the caliper onto the brake rotor and reattach the brake hose.
Repeat the above steps for the brakes on the other front wheel, then remount the wheels, remove the jack stands and lower the car to the ground with the jack.
Repeat the above steps to replace the brakes on the rear wheels.
Refill the master cylinder with brake fluid, then start the minivan and pump the brake several times to seat the brake pads.
