How do you change rear disc brake pads in a 2002 Chrysler Town-Country?

Answer 1

I have a 2002 T&C and became frustrated until I realized that those Chrysler engineers make it unusually difficult to change the pads. Here's how - on the inboard side there are two rubber collars on the upper side of the caliper. Inside those collars are bolts that need to be removed with an Allen wrench - the problem is it is a very unusual size - my guess is it is that way to keep people from working on the brakes. I have just about every Allen wrench U.S. and metric sizes they make and ended up filing an older one down to fit the bolt. Once the two bolts are removed it is duck soup. Caliper lifts off and pads can be replaced. Good Luck PS this is enough for me to not consider another Chrysler - these are the lousey things manufacturers do to support their dealers. I suppose they all do that to some extent but this is a cheap shot.

The tool needed to take out the two bolts is a 7mm Hex Bit Socket. I support you can also get an Allen wrench but I think the socket is better because you can use it with your rachet. You can purchase the Hex Bit Socket at any auto parts store for $6-7, or go to Wal Mart and buy the metric SET for $13

Thanks for the answer. It worked like a champ. I took an Allen wrench slightly larger than the bolt required and ground it down to fit. I cut it off so it was about an inch and a half long and put it in a socket. The bolts came right out. So the first rear brake and rotor change took me about 2 hours, without this post it would have been much longer. The second side took me 20 minutes. Thanks.

The 7mm Hex Bit Socket is worth the expense. Thanks for the tip. I got all four wheels done in less than two hours including pulling the tires. Don't know where I'll use that bit again, but worth the expense and saving on frustration.