Dodge Nitro. Manual - part 362

Fig. 35: Disc Brake Caliper Components 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

1. Raise and support the vehicle.  

2. Remove the front wheel and tire assembly.  

3. Drain a small amount of fluid from master cylinder brake reservoir with a clean suction gun.  

4. Bottom the caliper pistons into the caliper by prying the caliper over.  

5. Remove the caliper mounting bolts (3).  

6. Remove the disc brake caliper (4) from the adapter (5). 

7. Remove the inboard and outboard brake pads. See REMOVAL.  

8. Remove the caliper adapter mounting bolts (1).  

INSTALLATION 

DISC BRAKE CALIPER ADAPTER 

CAUTION: Never allow the disc brake caliper to hang from the brake hose. 

Damage to the brake hose will result. Provide a suitable support to 
hang the caliper securely.

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 BRAKES Base - Service Information - Nitro

  

Fig. 36: Disc Brake Caliper Components 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

1. Install the caliper adapter mounting bolts (1). Tighten the mounting bolts to 135 N.m (100 ft.lbs).  

2. Install the inboard and outboard pads. See INSTALLATION.  

3. Install the caliper mounting bolts (3). See INSTALLATION.  

4. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to STANDARD PROCEDURE .  

ROTORS 

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING 

DISC BRAKE ROTOR 

The rotor braking surfaces should not be refinished unless necessary. 

Light surface rust and scale can be removed with a lathe equipped with dual sanding discs. The rotor surfaces 
can be restored by machining in a disc brake lathe if surface scoring and wear are light. 

Replace the rotor under the following conditions: 

Severely scored  

Tapered  

Hard spots  

Cracked  

Below minimum thickness  

ROTOR MINIMUM THICKNESS 

Measure rotor thickness at the center of the brake shoe contact surface. Replace the rotor if worn below 
minimum thickness, or if machining would reduce thickness below the allowable minimum. 

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 BRAKES Base - Service Information - Nitro

  

Rotor minimum thickness is usually specified on the rotor hub. The specification is either stamped or cast into 
the hub surface. 

ROTOR RUNOUT 

Fig. 37: Checking Rotor Runout & Thickness Variation 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

Check rotor lateral runout with dial indicator C-3339 (1). See Fig. 37. Excessive lateral runout will cause brake 
pedal pulsation and rapid, uneven wear of the brake shoes. Position the dial indicator plunger approximately 
25.4 mm (1 in.) inward from the rotor edge. The dial indicator should be positioned in the center of the rotor 
surface. Maximum allowable rotor runout is 0.102 mm (0.004 in.). 

ROTOR THICKNESS VARIATION 

1 - DIAL INDICATOR

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 BRAKES Base - Service Information - Nitro

  

Fig. 38: Measuring Rotor Thickness 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

Variations in rotor thickness will cause pedal pulsation, noise and shudder. 

Measure rotor thickness at 6 to 12 points around the rotor face. See Fig. 38. 

Position the micrometer (1) approximately 25.4 mm (1 in.) from the rotor (2) outer circumference for each 
measurement. 

Thickness should not vary by more than 0.013 mm (0.0005 in.) from point-to-point on the rotor. Machine or 
replace the rotor if necessary. 

1 - MICROMETER
2 - ROTOR

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 BRAKES Base - Service Information - Nitro