Front brake job

Hi,

Replacing front brake pads and rotors isn't too hard to do. Since they usually last around 25,000 miles, you can get lifetime parts and never have to pay for parts again.

Let's get started. First, here is a link that shows in general how it's done. You can use this as a guide when working on your vehicle.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-front-brake-pads-and-rotors-fwd

Here are the directions specific to your vehicle. The pics below correlate with the directions.

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2005 Dodge Neon L4-2.0L VIN C
Front
Vehicle Brakes and Traction Control Disc Brake System Brake Pad Service and Repair Procedures Removal and Installation Front
FRONT
BRAKE PADS/SHOES - FRONT

REMOVAL

NOTE:Some vehicles use a different lining material on the front disc brake shoes than other vehicles. When new brake shoes are installed, be sure the brake shoes for the correct type of brake system are used.

1. Raise the vehicle.
2. Remove both front tire and wheel assemblies from vehicle
3. Begin on one side of the vehicle.

NOTE: In some cases, it may be necessary to retract the caliper piston in its bore a small amount in order to provide sufficient clearance between the shoes and the rotor to easily remove the caliper from the knuckle. This can usually be accomplished before the guide pin bolts are removed, by grasping the rear of the caliper and pulling outward working with the guide pins, thus retracting the piston. Never push on the piston directly as it may get damaged.

pic 1

4. Remove the two brake caliper guide pin bolts (Fig. 19).
5. Remove the disc brake caliper from the steering knuckle. The caliper is removed by first tipping either the top (right side caliper) or bottom (left side caliper) of the caliper away from the brake rotor, then pulling the caliper off the opposite end's caliper slide abutment (on the knuckle) and brake rotor.

pic 2

6. Support the caliper using a wire or cord to prevent the weight of caliper from damaging the brake hose (Fig. 20). Do not let the caliper hang by the brake hose.

pic 3

7. Remove the outboard brake shoe from the caliper by prying the shoe retaining clip over the raised area on the caliper. Slide the brake shoe down and off of the caliper (Fig. 21).

pic 4

8. Pull the inboard brake shoe away from the caliper piston until the retaining clip is out of the cavity in the piston (Fig. 22) and remove the shoe.
9. Repeat the above procedure to the front brakes on the other side of the vehicle.

CLEANING

Warning: dust and dirt accumulating on brake parts during normal use may contain asbestos fibers from production or aftermarket brake linings. Breathing excessive concentrations of asbestos fibers can cause serious bodily harm. Exercise care when servicing brake parts. Do not sand or grind brake lining unless equipment used is designed to contain the dust residue. Do not clean brake parts with compressed air or by dry brushing. Cleaning should be done by dampening the brake components with a fine mist of water, then wiping the brake components clean with a dampened cloth. Dispose of cloth and all residue containing asbestos fibers in an impermeable container with the appropriate label. Follow practices prescribed by the occupational safety and health administration (osha) and the environmental protection agency (epa) for the handling, processing, and disposing of dust or debris that may contain asbestos fibers.

INSPECTION
Visually inspect brake shoes (pads) for uneven lining wear. Also inspect for excessive lining deterioration. Check the clearance between the tips of the wear indicators on the shoes (if equipped) and the brake rotors.

If a visual inspection does not adequately determine the condition of the lining, a physical check will be necessary. To check the amount of lining wear, remove the disc brake shoes from the calipers.
Measure each brake shoe. The combined brake shoe and its lining material thickness should be measured at its thinnest point.
For front disc brake shoes, when a set of brake shoes are worn to a thickness of approximately 7.95 mm (5/16 inch), they should be replaced.

Typically, if front shoes are worn out, both fronts and rears need to be replaced. Make sure to check rears.

Replace both disc brake shoes (inboard and outboard) on each caliper. It is necessary to replace the shoes on the opposite side of the vehicle as well as the shoes failing inspection.

If the brake shoe assemblies do not require replacement, be sure to reinstall the brake shoes in the original position they were removed from.

INSTALLATION

NOTE: Some vehicles use a different lining material on the front disc brake shoes than other vehicles. When new brake shoes are installed, be sure the brake shoes for the correct type of brake system are used.

1. Begin on one side of the vehicle.
2. Completely retract the caliper piston back into the bore of the caliper. This is required to gain the necessary shoe-to-rotor clearance for the caliper installation onto the steering knuckle.
3. Remove any protective paper from the noise suppression gasket on both the inner and outer brake shoes (if equipped).

pic 5

4. Install the inboard brake shoe into the caliper piston by firmly pressing the shoe in with the thumbs (Fig. 23). Be sure the inboard brake shoe is positioned squarely against the face of the caliper piston.

pic 6

5. Slide the new outboard brake shoe onto the caliper (Fig. 24).
6. Lubricate both steering knuckle caliper slide abutments with a liberal amount of Mopar Multi-purpose Lubricant, or an equivalent.

CAUTION: Use care when installing the caliper assembly onto the steering knuckle so the seals on the caliper guide pin bushings do not get damaged by the steering knuckle bosses.

pic 7

7. Install the disc brake caliper (with pads) on the brake rotor and steering knuckle. The left side caliper is installed by first sliding the top of the caliper past the top caliper slide abutment on the steering knuckle to hook the top edge of the caliper, then pushing the lower end of the caliper into place against the knuckle (Fig. 25). The right side caliper is installed by first sliding the bottom edge of the caliper past the lower caliper slide abutment on the steering knuckle to hook the lower edge of the caliper, then pushing the top of the caliper into place against the steering knuckle.
8. Install the caliper guide pin bolts and tighten them to a torque of 22 Nm (192 inch lbs.) (Fig. 19).
9. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Tighten the wheel mounting nuts to a torque of 135 Nm (100 ft. lbs.).
10. Repeat the above procedure to the front brakes on the other side of the vehicle.
11. Lower the vehicle.
12. Pump the brake pedal to set the brake shoes to the brake rotors, then check brake fluid level in master cylinder reservoir. Adjust brake fluid level as necessary.
13. Road test the vehicle and make several stops to wear off any foreign material on the brakes and to seat the brake pads.

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Rotor Replacement:

2005 Dodge Neon L4-2.0L VIN C
Front Brake Rotor
Vehicle Brakes and Traction Control Disc Brake System Brake Rotor/Disc Service and Repair Procedures Brake Rotor - Removal and Installation Front Brake Rotor
FRONT BRAKE ROTOR
REMOVAL - FRONT

NOTE: Before proceeding, Refer to WARNING/CAUTION.

1. Raise the vehicle.
2. Remove the front tire and wheel assembly.
3. Remove the front disc brake caliper assembly from the brake rotor and store it out of the way.

pic 8

4. Remove the clips retaining the brake rotor (Fig. 19).
5. Remove the brake rotor by pulling it straight off the wheel mounting studs.

INSTALLATION
1. Install the brake rotor over the wheel mounting studs and onto the hub (Fig. 19).
2. Install the front disc brake caliper. It may be necessary to retract the brake caliper piston back into the caliper to fit the shoes onto the rotor.
3. Install the tire and wheel assembly . Tighten the wheel mounting nuts to a torque of 135 Nm (100 ft. lbs.).
4. Lower the vehicle.
5. Pump the brake pedal before moving the vehicle to set the brake shoes to the brake rotor.

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I hope this helps. Let me know if you have other questions.

Take care and God Bless,

Joe