Change the Brakes on a Caravan

Dodge Caravan uses two different braking systems to help you stop your minivan. The front brakes are disc brakes that include a brake rotor, a caliper and two brake pads. The back brakes are drum brakes that consist of two brake shoes and a large metal drum that fits over the shoes. The process for replacing the different brake systems differ greatly

Getting Started
1. Open the hood and remove the cap from the master cylinder.
2. Loosen the lug nuts on all four tires using the tire iron supplied with the caravan.
3. Place a jack under the frame directly behind the front driver's tire. Raise the Caravan until you can place a jack stand under the frame. Lower the Caravan onto the frame. Repeat this process with the passenger side front.
4. Place a jack under the frame directly in front of the driver's side rear tire. Raise the Caravan until you can place a jack stand under the frame. Lower the Caravan onto the jack stand. Repeat this process with the passenger side rear.
5. Remove the lug nuts and pull all four tires off the Caravan.
Front Brakes
1. Remove the two bolts that secure the caliper to the axle assembly. Pull the rotor off the brake caliper.
2. Place a pair of pliers on the back brake pad on the caliper and squeeze the piston into the caliper to make room for the thicker brake pads. Hang the brake caliper from the suspension using a wire tie.
3. Pry the cap off the hub with a small screwdriver, remove the nut that secures the rotor to the hub using a socket and ratchet and then pull the rotor off the wheel hub.
4. Slide the new rotor onto the axle hub, secure it using the nut, socket and ratchet and push the hub cover back onto the end of the hub.
5. Pull the old brake pads out of the caliper and place the new ones into the caliper. Slide the caliper over the rotor and secure it using the two bolts, socket and ratchet. Repeat this process with the other front disc brake.
Rear Brakes
1. Place the fingers of a drum brake puller around the drum brake and place the threaded post against the axle hub. Turn the threaded post clockwise to pull the drum off the axle hub. If you do not own a brake puller, you can rent one from an auto parts store like Napa, Autozone or Advanced Auto.
2. Remove the spring from each of the two brake shoes using a pair of pliers. Pull the brake shoes off the axle hub.
3. Place the new brake shoes onto the axle hub and secure each one using the spring and your pliers.
4. Slide the new drum onto the wheel studs and axle hub. Pound the brake drum on using a rubber mallet. Repeat this process with the other rear brake.
Finishing Up
1. Place the cap back onto the master cylinder and close the engine hood.
2. Place the wheels on the vehicle, thread the lug nuts onto the wheel studs by hand and tighten each lug nut a quarter turn using the tire iron.
3. Jack up each corner of the Caravan using the jack, remove the jack stand and lower each corner to the ground. Tighten all of the lug nuts using the tire iron.