Grinding or a pulsing pedal when you stop usually means pads and rotors are worn. Here is the rear driver-side rotor job on my 2011 Ram 1500, including which bolts to loosen and the socket sizes I needed.
What you need
- Ram 1500 rear brake kit (Detroit Axle) with rotors and pads
- A socket set and a breaker bar. Mine: Amazon Basics 201-piece mechanic’s set
- A jack, two jack stands, wheel chocks and a torque wrench
- Brake cleaner, gloves and a C-clamp or caliper tool
The steps
- Park on flat ground, chock the front wheels and loosen the lug nuts a little.
- Jack up the truck and set it on jack stands. Never work under a truck held up only by a jack.
- Remove the wheel, then the caliper bolts. Hang the caliper with wire so it doesn’t pull on the brake hose.
- Remove the caliper bracket bolts, then slide the old rotor off.
- Clean the hub, install the new rotor, then the bracket, new pads and caliper.
- Tighten everything to the torque specs in your service manual.
- Put the wheel back on, lower the truck, pump the brake pedal several times before driving, then test at low speed.
Brakes are safety parts. If anything feels off after the job, have it checked before you drive. Always follow the torque specs for your exact vehicle.
Keep it simple
Small jobs like this save money and build a lot of confidence. For more easy wins, check the Daily Healthy Habit, read how I change my oil, or browse the gear I actually use.
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