OEM 2000 Dodge Ram 3500 Van Brake Caliper

2000 Dodge Ram 3500 Van Brake Caliper Parts and Q&A

• Q: How to service and repair the brake caliper on 2000 Dodge Ram 3500 Van?

  A: Your first step in servicing or repairing a brake caliper is to drain off all the brake fluid. Cover one piston with a C-clamp and a block of wood, then add a block of wood covered by a thick pad and one inch of shop towels right in front of the second piston before you start dismantling. Flush the brake system with short bursts of compressed air on low pressure through the caliper brake hose to help the first piston to move, but do not keep the air on for too long so you don't damage the piston. Keep your hands away from the piston as it returns upward to stop being injured. After removing the first piston, fasten the C-clamp around its dust boot to plug the empty hole, put the padded wood block in front of the second piston and air pressurize its bore to remove the second piston. Use a pry tool that fits and carefully take out the piston dust boots. After removing the caliper seals, do not scratch the bore of the piston. Slide the mounting bolt bushings of the caliper boot seals aside and then take out the boot seals and remove the bleed screw. Before starting assembly, clean and dry the area to stop possible damage to the caliper seals. Wet the caliper pistons, the inner bore seal and the piston bores with seal-friendly brake fluid, then secure the new piston seals into the caliper bores to ensure they aren't twisted or crooked. Pinch silicone grease onto the edge of the new boot, set it onto the piston and slide the boot lip into the groove at the top while stretching it in reverse until the folds are straight, then push it forward until they snap shut. Insert the piston into the caliper bore and press it into place with either your hand or a hammer handle. The dust boot should be set in the caliper by using Handle C-4171 and the matching installer for the type of caliper in your brakes. Add the second piston and dust boot, coat the caliper bolt brackets and seals with brake grease, then put the seals into the caliper's bores and center them. After that, insert the mounting bolt bushings into the boot seals with the seal lip in the grooves at both ends and put back the bleed screw on the caliper bottom.