2012–2015 Ram C/V
By Tom Becker ✓ Certified Mechanic · Published Sep 24, 2026 · Updated Oct 14, 2026
Save $264 by doing it yourself! Shop cost: $365
Quick answer: Front Brake Pad Replacement on a 2012–2015 Ram C/V is rated Moderate and takes about 1-2 hours. You'll need 7 tools for this job, and parts cost about $101. This guide walks you through the full job step by step, including the mistakes to avoid.
| Part Name | Part Number | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front brake pad set (2012-2015 Ram C/V) | — | $75.00 | |
| Brake cleaner | — | $10.00 | |
| Brake hardware kit | — | $16.00 |
About prices: shown prices are typical retail averages and change frequently; cheaper alternatives may be available. Confirm the current price before buying.
💡 Pro tip: Order all parts at once to save on shipping
Follow these steps carefully
Park on flat ground, set the parking brake, and chock the rear wheels. Break the lug nuts loose on the ground, pop the hood, and note the master cylinder's yellow cap; you'll watch the fluid level later.
Raise the front onto jack stands — never work under a jack alone. Remove the wheels, then turn the steering toward your side to expose the slide bolts. Check pad thickness through each caliper to confirm both sides were due.
Unbolt the caliper, slide it off, and hang it from the strut. Slide out the pads and clips, noting their orientation. Inspect the rotor for scoring and a raised lip; replace if grooved or below minimum thickness.
I measure the rotor against the minimum thickness stamped on the hat before deciding — I've put new pads on a below-minimum rotor and felt it pulse within a thousand miles.
Wire-brush the bracket's pad lands to clean metal and grease the clips. Pull the slide pins and inspect the boots — a torn boot admits water, seizing the pin and tapering pad wear. Re-grease pins and confirm they slide freely.
Press the piston back flush with a C-clamp, using an old pad. Watch the reservoir; siphon DOT 3 out if it nears MAX. Seat the pads in the greased clips, refit the caliper, torque bolts to 26 ft-lbs.
I press the piston back slowly and keep an eye on the reservoir — I've seen a shop's topped-off fluid overflow onto paint before anyone noticed.
Refit the wheels, lower the van, and torque the lugs to 100 ft-lbs in a star pattern. Pump the pedal until firm — the first pumps feel soft while the piston seats. Top up with DOT 3 to MAX and refit the yellow cap. Bed the pads with moderate stops from 30 mph, cooling between them; avoid hard stops for the first couple hundred miles.
Test your repair before closing everything up. If something doesn't work right, double-check your steps.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
Audi A4 · 2004–2008
BMW 530i Xdrive · 2017–2024
BMW i3 · 2014–2021
BMW M2 · 2016–2021
BMW M2 · 2023–2026
BMW X6 M · 2015–2019
Buick Rainier · 2004–2007
Cadillac Escalade · 2015–2020
