5th Generation - Brake Types/Modifications

Cardone part #s for right front and right rear calipers:

2011 Front Right
OE Phenolic Piston;Supplied w/Mounting Bracket 18-B5045

2011 Rear Right
OE Metal Piston;Supplied w/Mounting Bracket 18-B5080

2012 Front Right
Exc. Limited
OE Phenolic Piston;Supplied w/Mounting Bracket 18-B5045

2012 Front Right
Limited
OE Phenolic Piston;Supplied w/Mounting Bracket 18-B5403

2012 Rear Right
Exc. Limited; Before 3/24/12
OE Metal Piston;Supplied w/Mounting Bracket 18-B5080

2012 Rear Right
Exc. Limited; From 3/24/12
OE Metal Piston;Supplied w/Mounting Bracket 18-B5488

2012 Rear Right
Limited
OE Metal Piston;Supplied w/Mounting Bracket 18-B5398

2013 Front Right
Exc. Limited
OE Phenolic Piston;Supplied w/Mounting Bracket 18-B5045

2013 Front Right
Limited
OE Phenolic Piston;Supplied w/Mounting Bracket 18-B5403

2013 Rear Right
Exc. Limited
OE Metal Piston;Supplied w/Mounting Bracket 18-B5488

2013 Rear Right
Limited
OE Metal Piston;Supplied w/Mounting Bracket 18-B5398

That's an interesting change in part #s: http://www.cardone.com/find-parts/v...hrysler Trucks&model=Town & Country&year=2012 The bolded Part #s would be the heavy duty calipers.

Looks like the GC RT's started getting the HDs at the same time the T&C Limiteds were. Makes sense to upgrade the top of the line first

Front Left
Exc. R/T
OE Phenolic Piston;Supplied w/o Mounting Bracket 18-5044
Front Right
Exc. R/T
OE Phenolic Piston;Supplied w/o Mounting Bracket 18-5045
Rear Right
Exc. R/T; Before 3/24/12
OE Metal Piston;Supplied w/o Mounting Bracket 18-5080
Rear Left
Exc. R/T; Before 3/24/12
OE Metal Piston;Supplied w/o Mounting Bracket 18-5081
Rear Right
Exc. R/T; From 3/24/12
OE Metal Piston;Supplied w/o Mounting Bracket 18-5488
Rear Left
Exc. R/T; From 3/24/12
OE Metal Piston;Supplied w/o Mounting Bracket 18-5489
Front Left
R/T
OE Phenolic Piston;Supplied w/o Mounting Bracket 18-5402
Rear Left
R/T
OE Metal Piston;Supplied w/o Mounting Bracket 18-5399
Rear Right
R/T
OE Metal Piston;Supplied w/o Mounting Bracket 18-5398
Front Right
R/T
OE Phenolic Piston;Supplied w/o Mounting Bracket 18-5403
http://www.cardone.com/find-parts/v...ke=Dodge Trucks&model=Grand Caravan&year=2012

Unlike most of you guys, in the UK the options are not so bountiful :-(

I pondered long and hard as to what I could do to improve the breaking. As I bought by van used I was not sure if the brake disc had ever been changed.

I looked in to a factory brake upgrade, as most people have followed here, 2013+ vans supposedly have better discs.

I also looked at a big brake upgrade, had my heart set on 300C Brembo conversion, despite the massive cost I changed my mind at the very last moment when I had to change a flat tyre.

Space saver wheel!!!! There is no way I would be able to fit that spare on with big brakes, also my winter tyres are only on 17" too.

In the end I opted for EBC drilled/grooved discs all round with 'Green stuff' EBC pads. I have since done 400 miles, but it is too early to tell. The manufacturers notice states 300-500 miles for the pads to bed in! Seriously!

I will add some pictures soon as well as keep this thread updated with the progress of this set up and performance.

Splash Shields for the front

For completeness I thought I would post the splash shield part numbers for the front that I installed.

From Factory Chrysler Parts
Qty Product # Price EA
1 SHIELD. Right. Brake. 04779780AA $5.60
1 SHIELD. Left. Brake. 04779781AA $3.98

Your order summary:
2 products, 2 items $ 9.58
Shipping & Handling $ 11.95
Total$ 21.53


Took about 2 weeks for delivery.

Ok so had to fix my breaks this past week.
I took my van in for a oil and alignment check have had problems with front tire wear on my third set on the front. Replaced the front bushings and the driver rear side bearing hub; solved most of the problem just had to get the alignment done. That's all good now.
Back to the breaks. I mentioned that I had allot of rattle going over bumps and clunking when stopping just thought it was just break pads moving around. The shop took a test drive and heard the noise and when they looked under the van behind the rear wheels found that two bolts where missing from the callipers one on each side. first though was that they where not put back after I had breaks done a time ago. The shop was kind enough to try and just replace the bolts but found that they had broken off inside said that will have to replace the callipers. Oh great $800 job that was going to be.

Well I figure I would go back to the dealer where I had the break job done to see if there was any warranty but it had expired found out it was done in 2012 where the time go?? I figure that I would take the wheels off and see what I can see and save money. What I found was that the pin where rusted in place in the bracket. Tried first to remove them but no luck the pins just broke off inside. The parts stores did not have just the bracket alone need to buy the whole calliper. I took a chance and checked with the dealership and to my luck they had the brackets on there own that came out to about $98 each after taxes about $100 and change in saving from having to buy the whole break set and messing around with fluids and disconnecting the callipers from the lines. I also picked up a single pin set to replace the missing bolts. Took me the better part of the day running around and realising I had to get brackets for both sides after pulling the passenger side wheel. I enjoy the wrenching so was a good time with my friend who taxied me around to get the parts and price checking.

Talking with the parts guy at the dealer about the issue he said he keeps to a regular schedule of taking the beaks apart when he switches tires for the summer/ winter seasons and greases up the pins and has no problems with them. So I now will do the same a little bit of work will save time and money down the road. In the end it cost me about $200 in part and a nice sunny day working on my van over a $800 shop bill.