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Dodge Durango Rear Brake Pads Replacement Guide
How to change the rear disc brake pads on a 3rd generation 2011-2015 Dodge Durango with photo illustrated steps.

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2014 Durango Rear Wheel
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Slightly Loosen 5 Lug Nuts
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Raise Rear of SUV
This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the third generation (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 & also 2016 in Canada) Dodge Durango SUV in changing the rear disc 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, Challenger, 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 flathead screwdriver, a 7mm Allen key wrench or a 7mm hex head socket, a "C" or "F" clamp and a tube of high temperature synthetic brake parts lubricant grease.

A few compatible replacement sets of new rear brake pads with their part numbers include the following: Wagner ThermoQuiet QC1498, ProAct ACT1498, Raybestos PGD1498C, ACDelco 17D1498C, Monroe GX1498, Bosch BC1498, Centric 105.14980, TRW TPC1498, Bendix D1498 and Power Stop 16-1498 Z16 Ceramic.



 

Please verify the correct replacement part numbers for your Durango by using the Amazon Part Finder website. The correct parts may vary depending on the model year, trim level and whether is has a 4WD or rear wheel drive transmission.
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Spin Off Lug Nuts
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5 Lug Nuts Removed
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Rotor, Bracket, Caliper
The first two steps are to park the SUV on a level surface and turn off the engine.

Make sure that the emergency / parking brake is not engaged.

Chock both sides of the front wheels to prevent the vehicle from moving.

Slightly loosen the 5 lug nuts on the rear wheel by turning them counterclockwise with the tire iron.

Then raise the rear 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 vehicle at a time to keep three tires on the ground for extra safety.

Spin off the 5 lug nuts and set them aside in a safe place.

Pull off the rear wheel to reveal the rear brake caliper, bracket, rotor and suspension.
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Rear Brake Caliper
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Metal Spring Clip
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Pull Off Metal Spring Clip
Carefully pull off the metal spring clip attached to the outer edge of the caliper.

Warning - If you use a flathead screwdriver to pry off the metal spring clip, it might fly off and hit you in the face.

Set the spring clip aside in a safe place.

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Plastic Bolt Housing
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Pull Off Plastic Cap
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Caliper Bolt Cover Removed
Look behind the caliper and locate the two black plastic caps that cover the caliper bolts.

Either pull off the two black plastic covers with your fingernails or gently pry them off with a flathead screwdriver.

Set the two caps aside in a safe place.

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Loosen 7mm Clockwise
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Loosen Lower Caliper Bolt
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Caliper Bolt / Slider Pin
The rear caliper bolts also act as the caliper slider pins.

Loosen the top caliper bolt by turning it clockwise (as seen from the outside of the SUV) with the 7mm Allen key wrench or a 7mm hex head socket.

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Remove Lower Bolt / Pin
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Caliper Bolts / Pins Removed
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Pull Off Brake Caliper
Then loosen the lower caliper bolt / slider pin by turning it clockwise (as seen from the outside of the vehicle) with the 7mm Allen key wrench or 7mm hex head socket and ratcheting wrench.

Spin out the two combination caliper bolts / slider pins and set them aside in a safe place.

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Rest Caliper On Suspension
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Wear Bar - Top Outer Pad
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Pull Inner Pad Out of Piston
Carefully pull the rear brake caliper out of the bracket and rest it on the suspension.

Pull the old outer brake pad out of the bracket.

Make a mental note of where the wear indicator bar or "squeal" bar is located on the old brake pads.

On this 2014 Durango, the wear indicator bar was situated at the top of the outer brake pad.

Then pull the old inner brake pad out of the caliper piston. It is held in place by a few metal prongs on the back of the old pad.

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Attach "C" Clamp To Piston
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Twist Off Brake Fluid Cap
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Compress Back Caliper Piston
Attach the "C" or "F" clamp to the caliper by using an old brake pad to evenly distribute the pressure across the piston.

Move to the right rear area of the engine bay and twist off the brake fluid reservoir cap in the counterclockwise direction.

Removing the brake fluid reservoir cap will allow the fluid to more easily travel back through the system when you compress the caliper piston.

Slowly turn the "C" clamp handle in the clockwise direction to push the piston back in to the caliper body.

Repeatedly check the brake fluid level in the reservoir while you compress back the caliper piston to make sure that it doesn't overflow.

Clean up any spilled brake fluid immediately and rinse the area with water since brake fluid can easily damage painted surfaces.

Continue compressing the caliper piston until it is flush with the rubber dust boot surrounding it.

Try to avoid pinching or otherwise damaging the rubber dust boot.



 

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Replace Brake Fluid Cap
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Metal Prongs In Piston
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Install New Outer Pad
Replace the brake fluid reservoir cap as soon as possible by twisting it on in the clockwise direction.

Brake fluid is hygroscopic (absorbs moisture from the air) so the cap should not be removed for more time than necessary.

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 caliper grease 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 Durango previously exhibited shuddering, pulsations, or vibrations in the rear 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 rear 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.

Push the metal prongs on the back of the new inner brake pad in to the caliper piston.

Slide the new outer brake pad in to the bracket with the wear indicator bar situated at the top of the pad.

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Lower Caliper Over Rotor
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Line Up Bolt Holes
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Lubricate Slider Pins
Gently lower the rear brake caliper over the rotor and the new outer pad.

If the caliper won't fit, you may need to compress the piston back a bit further.

In order for the brake caliper to operate smoothly, the two caliper slider pins need to be well lubricated.

Apply some brake parts lubricant grease to the smooth sections of both caliper slider bolts / pins.

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Spin In Two Caliper Bolts
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Tighten Counterclockwise
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Torque To 25 ft-lbs
Spin in the two caliper bolts / slider pins a few turns by hand in the counterclockwise direction to prevent them from becoming cross threaded.

Tighten the caliper bolts in the counterclockwise direction (as seen from the outside of the SUV) with the 7mm Allen key wrench or 7mm hex head socket to just past hand tight or about 25 ft-lbs of torque.

Double check that both caliper bolts are tight before moving on to the next steps.

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Push In Plastic Caps
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Replace Plastic Bolt Cover
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Line Up Metal Spring Clip
Push in the two plastic covers over the caliper slider bolts.

Line up the metal spring clip over the outer face of the caliper.

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Re-Attach Caliper Clip
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Rubber Valve Cap
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Brake Fluid Bleeder Valve
Carefully re-attach the metal spring clip to the outer edge of the caliper.

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 DOT 3 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.

The brake fluid bleeder valve is located underneath a rubber cap on the back side of the caliper just below the top caliper bolt.

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Push On Rear Wheel
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Spin On 5 Lug Nuts
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Slightly Tighten Clockwise
Push on the rear wheel back in to place.

Spin on the 5 lug nuts in the clockwise direction by hand to prevent them from becoming cross threaded.

Slightly tighten the lug nuts in a "star" or "criss cross" pattern with the tire iron.

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Lower SUV From Stands
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Torque To 100 ft-lbs
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Rear Brake Pads Replaced
Carefully lower the vehicle from the jack stands by using the floor jack.

Continue tightening the lug nuts in the clockwise direction in a star or criss cross pattern to about 1/4 to 1/3 turn past hand tight or about 100 ft-lbs of torque. (The owner's manual specifies 110 ft-lbs. Please check your owner's manual.)

It would be best to use a torque wrench or an electric impact wrench with a torque stick 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, pour in some DOT 3 fluid.

To break in your new rear 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 occasionally 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 after your first few trips.

For more, check out my other Dodge Durango DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides.
 

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