Dodge
Challenger Front Brake Pads Replacement Guide
How to change the front disc brake pads
on a 3rd generation 2008-2015 Dodge Challenger with photo illustrated steps.
2015 Challenger Front Wheel |
Slightly Loosen Lug Nuts |
Raise Front of Vehicle |
This
automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist
owners of the third generation (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013,
2014, 2015 & most likely also the 2016 model year) Dodge Challenger in
changing the front brake pads and lubricating the caliper slider
pins. Owners of other Chrysler, Dodge and RAM vehicles such as the Town & Country, 300, 200, Avenger, Charger, Journey, Dart, Durango, Grand Caravan, and Ram C/V Tradesman minivan may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful. The tools needed to complete this procedure include a tire iron, a floor jack, two jack stands, a 13mm socket with a 3/8" drive ratcheting wrench, an 18mm wrench or pliers and a "C" or "F" clamp. A few compatible replacement sets of front brake pads with their part numbers are as follows: ACDelco 14D1056C, Bendix MKD1149, Wagner QC1056, ACDelco 17D1056C, Akebono ACT1056, StopTech 309.11490, Centric 105.11490, Raybestos PGD1058C or ATD1058C, Dura International BP1056 C or BP1058 C, Monroe GX1058 and Bosch BE1058. |
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Please verify the correct replacement part numbers for your Challenger by calling your Dodge dealership's parts counter, an automotive parts store or the Amazon Part Finder website. It may vary depending on the model year and/or trim level. The V6 models have a single piston caliper while the V8 models are equipped with dual piston calipers that require different parts. |
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Spin Off 5 Lug Nuts |
Using Lug Nut Wrench |
5 Lug Nuts Removed |
The first few steps
are to park the car on a level surface, engage the emergency / parking brake
and chock both sides of the rear wheels to prevent it from moving. Slightly loosen the 5 lug nuts on the front wheel by turning them counterclockwise with the tire iron. Raise the front of the vehicle with the floor jack and securely support it with at least two jack stands. I prefer to work on one side of the car at a time to keep three wheels on the ground for extra safety. Spin off the 5 lug nuts and set them aside in a safe place. |
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Caliper, Bracket & Rotor |
Front Brake Caliper |
Loosen Lower Caliper Bolt |
Pull off the front
wheel to reveal the caliper, bracket and rotor. The front brake caliper is held in place to the bracket by two bolts on the back side of the caliper with the bolt heads facing in towards the engine bay. Loosen the lower caliper bolt by turning it clockwise (as seen from the outside of the vehicle) with the 13mm socket and 3/8" drive ratcheting wrench. If the caliper slider pin turns as you are trying to loosen the caliper bolt, hold it in place with an 18mm wrench or a pair of pliers. |
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Spin Out 13mm Bolt |
Loosen Upper Caliper Bolt |
Remove Top 13mm Bolt |
Loosen the upper
13mm caliper bolt by turning it clockwise (as seen from the outside of the
vehicle) and hold the slider pin in place with the 18mm wrench. Spin out the two caliper bolts and set them aside in a safe place. |
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Two Caliper Bolts Removed |
Pull Off Brake Caliper |
Rest On Suspension |
Carefully pull the
brake caliper out of the bracket and off the old pads. Rest the caliper on the suspension or suspend it from the spring with a bungee cord. Try to avoid stressing, kinking or bending the rubber brake hose. |
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Pull Out Old Outer Pad |
Wear Bar - Bottom Outer Pad |
Wear Bar - Top Inner Pad |
Pull the old brake
pads out of the bracket and make a mental note of where the wear indicator
or "squeal" bars are located. On this 2015 Challenger, the wear bars were situated at the bottom of the outer pad and the top of the inner pad. I recommend buying the Wagner ThermoQuiet line of brake pads. I've always had great experiences with them and I like how they don't require any backing plates, shims or disc brake quiet gel due to the built in insulators. Just double check the correct part number for your Challenger. It varies depending on whether you have a single piston caliper or dual piston caliper. Thoroughly clean off the brake rotor, caliper bracket, brake caliper assembly and the lug nut studs with brake parts cleaner spray. Do not use compressed air or blow with your mouth to clean off the brake parts since breathing in brake dust can be harmful to your health. Brake dust can be carcinogenic (cancer causing) if inhaled. Apply a thin layer of brake parts lubricant to any area where there is metal to metal contact such as the outer lip of the caliper piston. Do not apply caliper grease to the friction surface of the new pads. If your Challenger previously exhibited shuddering, pulsations, or vibrations in the front end during braking, you may need to have your rotors "turned" (resurfaced) or just replace them with brand new rotors. If this is the first front brake job on your car and the rotors appear to be in excellent condition, you should be able to just replace the pads with great results. To remove the existing rotors and install new ones, remove the two bolts on the rear of the caliper bracket that attach it to the steering knuckle. Then loosen the old rotor with a rubber mallet, pull it off, and slide the new one in its place. Install the new inner and outer brake pads in to the bracket. |
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Replace Pad Abutment Clips |
Pull Out Caliper Slider Pins |
Lubricate & Replace Pins |
If your new set of
front brake pads included replacement hardware, pull the old pad abutment
clips or "anti-rattle" clips out of the top and bottom of the bracket before
pushing the new ones in to place. Apply a small amount of synthetic high temperature brake caliper grease to the pad abutment clips where they will come in contact with the new pads. In order for the brake caliper to operate smoothly, the two caliper slider pins or "guide pins" need to be well lubricated. Pull the upper and lower caliper slider pins out of their rubber dust boots. Apply a thin layer of brake parts lubricant grease to the smooth parts of each slider pin before pushing them back in to their rubber dust boots. |
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Attach "C" Clamp To Piston |
Driver Side Plastic Cowl |
Pull Out Access Panel |
In order for the
caliper to fit over the thicker new brake pads, you'll need to compress back
the caliper piston. Attach the "C" or "F" clamp to the caliper and use the back of an old brake pad to evenly distribute the pressure across the piston. If you have a dual piston caliper, you may need to re-position the "C" clamp to evenly push back both pistons. Move to the right rear are of the engine bay and pull off the plastic access panel on the cowl. |
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Twist Off Brake Fluid Cap |
Compress Back Piston |
Replace Brake Fluid Cap |
Twist off the
yellow plastic brake fluid reservoir cap in the counterclockwise direction. Removing the reservoir cap will allow the fluid to more easily travel back through the lines when you compress the piston. Slowly turn the "C" clamp handle in the clockwise direction to compress back the piston until it is flush with the rubber dust boot surrounding it. Check the level in the brake fluid reservoir while you are compressing back the piston to make sure that it doesn't over flow. Clean up any spilled brake fluid immediately and flush the area with water since brake fluid can easily damage painted surfaces. Replace the brake fluid cap as soon as possible by twisting it on in the clockwise direction. Brake fluid is hygroscopic, which means it absorbs moisture from the air. |
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Re-Insert Access Cover |
Install New Brake Pads |
Push Pads Against Rotor |
Re-insert the
plastic access panel in to the cowl. Install the new brake pads in to the bracket with the wear indicator bars situated at the top of the inner pad and at the bottom of the outer brake pad. Push the two pads together until they are flush against the rotor. |
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Lower Caliper Over Pads |
Spin In Caliper Bolt |
Replace Upper Caliper Bolt |
Carefully lower the
caliper over the new pads and in to the bracket. If the caliper won't fit over the new pads, you may need to compress back the piston a bit further. Spin in the two caliper bolts by hand a few turns in the counterclockwise direction to prevent them from becoming cross threaded. |
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Tighten Lower 13mm Bolt |
Tighten Upper Caliper Bolt |
Rubber Valve Cap |
Tighten the two
caliper bolts by turning them counterclockwise (as seen from the outside of
the vehicle) with the 13mm socket and ratcheting wrench to just past hand
tight or about 44 ft-lbs of torque. If the caliper slider pins turn as you are trying to tighten the caliper bolts, hold them in place with an 18mm wrench. If your brake pedal previously felt soft or spongy, the brake fluid may be contaminated with water or the brake lines may contain some air bubbles.It would be best to bleed the brake lines at this time in order to flush out the old fluid and replace it with fresh DOT3 brake fluid. For more on this topic, check out my Brake Line Fluid Bleeding With An Assistant DIY Guide or alternatively the Brake Line Fluid Bleeding With A Power Bleeder Guide. |
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Brake Fluid Bleeder Valve |
Push On Front Wheel |
Spin On 5 Lug Nuts |
The brake fluid
bleeder valve is located underneath a rubber cap on the back side of the
caliper just below the top caliper bolt. Push on the front wheel and spin on the 5 lug nuts in the clockwise direction a few turns by hand to prevent them from becoming cross threaded. Slightly tighten the 5 lug nuts in a "star" or "criss cross" pattern. |
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Lower Car From Stands |
Torque To 100 ft-lbs |
Front Brake Pads Replaced |
Use the floor jack
to carefully lower the car from the jack stands. Continue tightening the lug nuts in the clockwise direction to about 1/4 to 1/3 turn past hand tight or about 100 ft-lbs of torque. (Check your owner's manual, some Challenger models specify 110 or 130 ft-lbs of torque.) It would be best to use a torque wrench to make sure that the lug nuts are properly tightened. Sit in the driver's seat of the vehicle and pump the brake pedal a few times to restore the brake line pressure. Check the brake fluid in the reservoir and verify that it is at the proper level. If it is low, add some DOT 3 fluid. To break in your new front brake pads, just drive normally for the first few hundred miles while trying to avoid any hard or "panic" stops which may glaze over the new pads and cause them to be noisy and/or not perform as well. It's also a good idea to regularly check your driveway or garage for drops of brake fluid which may indicate a leak, check the brake fluid level in the reservoir, and also verify that the lug nuts are still tight. For more,
check out my other
2008-2015 Dodge Challenger DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides. |
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