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2014 RAM 2500

6.7L I6 Cummins Diesel4WDAUTOMATICdieselturbo
16 active safety recalls on this vehicle — view recalls🏆Sponsored by Lost Pines Precision Automotive· Bastrop, TX
Repairs450Labor566Torque3843Fluid9DTC789Battery1Maintenance0Recalls16
brakes

Brake Caliper Slide Pins

for 2014 Ram 2500 6.7L I6 Cummins Diesel · 4WD
Difficulty
Easy
Time
48 min
Tools
9
Steps
10

This procedure covers cleaning, inspecting, lubricating, and reinstalling brake caliper slide pins to ensure proper caliper movement and even brake pad wear.

Warnings

⚠️SAFETY-CRITICAL: Improper brake work can result in complete brake failure causing serious injury or death. If you are uncertain about any step, have a professional mechanic perform this service.
⚠️Never work under a vehicle supported only by a jack. Always use properly rated jack stands on solid, level ground.
Do not use petroleum-based lubricants on brake components. Use only silicone-based high-temperature brake grease on slide pins.
Inspect brake pads, rotors, and brake lines while calipers are accessible. Address any worn or damaged components immediately.
ℹ️This heavy-duty truck requires higher torque specifications than light-duty vehicles. Verify torque wrench calibration before use.

Tools required

Jack and jack stands rated for vehicle weightEssential
Torque wrench (30-150 Nm range)Essential
Socket set (metric)Essential
Wire brush
Clean lint-free ragsEssential
Brake parts cleanerEssential
Silicone brake grease (high-temperature)Essential
C-clamp or brake caliper tool
Wheel chocksEssential

Parts

  • Caliper slide pin boot kit (if damaged) × 1 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

  1. Park vehicle on level, solid surface and engage parking brake
  2. Chock rear wheels securely
  3. Loosen wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while vehicle is on ground
  4. Raise front of vehicle and support securely on jack stands rated for at least 4 tons per side
  5. Remove front wheels completely
  6. Verify brake system is cool to the touch before beginning work

Procedure

  1. 1
    Remove caliper slide pin bolts
    Locate the two caliper slide pin bolts on the rear of the caliper assembly. These are typically 13mm or 15mm hex head bolts. Using a socket wrench, remove both upper and lower caliper slide pin bolts. Support the caliper with your hand to prevent it from falling when the second bolt is removed.
    Torque spec
    Caliper Slide Pin Bolts35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
  2. 2
    Pivot caliper away from rotor
    Carefully pivot the caliper assembly upward and away from the brake rotor. Support the caliper by hanging it from the suspension or frame using a heavy-duty wire hook or bungee cord. Never let the caliper hang by the brake hose as this can damage the hose internally.
    Do not allow caliper to hang unsupported by the brake hose. Internal hose damage may not be visible but can cause brake failure.
  3. 3
    Remove slide pins from caliper bracket
    Pull the slide pins completely out of the caliper bracket. Note their orientation and any differences between upper and lower pins. Inspect the rubber dust boots on each pin for tears, cracks, or deterioration. If boots are damaged, they must be replaced to prevent contamination and corrosion.
    ℹ️Damaged or torn dust boots will allow moisture and dirt into the slide pin bore, causing binding and uneven brake wear.
  4. 4
    Clean slide pins and bores
    Spray slide pins thoroughly with brake parts cleaner and wipe clean with lint-free rags. Remove all old grease and debris. Use a clean rag wrapped around your finger or a soft brush to clean the inside of the slide pin bores in the caliper bracket. Spray brake cleaner into the bores and allow to drain. Inspect pins for scoring, pitting, or corrosion. Replace any damaged pins.
    Even minor corrosion or scoring on slide pins can cause caliper binding. Replace questionable pins rather than risk brake performance.
  5. 5
    Inspect caliper bracket and hardware
    With slide pins removed, inspect the caliper bracket mounting bolts for proper tightness (do not remove unless replacing bracket). Check brake pad slide clips or abutment clips for wear or damage. Verify the caliper bracket itself shows no cracks or damage. Clean any rust or debris from pad contact surfaces using a wire brush.
    Torque spec
    Bracket Bolts137 Nm (101 lb-ft)
  6. 6
    Apply silicone brake grease to slide pins
    Apply a thin, even coat of high-temperature silicone brake grease to the entire length of each slide pin shaft. Do not over-apply; excess grease can attract contaminants. Ensure grease is applied all the way to the end of the pin. Verify you are using silicone-based brake grease, not petroleum-based lubricant.
    Use only high-temperature silicone brake grease. Petroleum-based products will damage rubber boots and seals.
  7. 7
    Reinstall slide pins
    Insert each slide pin back into its corresponding bore in the caliper bracket, ensuring dust boots properly seat around the pin and in the bracket groove. The pin should slide smoothly with light resistance from the grease. If a pin binds or sticks, remove it, recheck the bore for contamination, and verify proper lubrication. Ensure boots are not twisted or pinched.
    ℹ️Slide pins must move freely by hand. Any binding indicates contamination, damage, or inadequate lubrication.
  8. 8
    Reposition caliper over brake pads
    Before repositioning the caliper, verify brake pads are properly seated in the bracket. If pistons were not compressed, you may need to use a C-clamp or brake caliper tool to carefully compress the caliper pistons back into their bores to provide clearance over the brake pads. Position the caliper down over the rotor and brake pads, aligning the slide pin bolt holes.
    When compressing caliper pistons, brake fluid level in the master cylinder reservoir will rise. Check reservoir and remove fluid if necessary to prevent overflow.
  9. 9
    Install and torque slide pin bolts
    Apply a light coat of silicone brake grease to the threads and under the head of each slide pin bolt. Insert both slide pin bolts and thread them in by hand. Using a torque wrench, tighten both caliper slide pin bolts to 35 Nm (26 lb-ft). Verify both bolts are properly torqued.
    ⚠️CRITICAL: Improperly torqued slide pin bolts can result in caliper detachment and complete brake failure. Verify torque specification is met.
    Torque spec
    Caliper Slide Pin Bolts35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
  10. 10
    Reinstall wheel and torque lug nuts
    Position the wheel onto the hub and thread on all lug nuts by hand. Using a torque wrench, tighten lug nuts in a star pattern to 140 Nm (103 lb-ft). Double-check all lug nuts are properly torqued. Repeat entire procedure for opposite side.
    ⚠️CRITICAL: Improper lug nut torque can cause wheel detachment. Always torque in star pattern and verify final torque.
    Torque spec
    Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)

Reassembly

  1. Lower vehicle carefully from jack stands
  2. With vehicle on ground, re-verify wheel lug nut torque in star pattern
  3. Pump brake pedal slowly several times until firm pedal is achieved before moving vehicle
  4. Check brake fluid level in master cylinder reservoir and top off if necessary with Mopar DOT 4 brake fluid

Verification

  • Pump brake pedal until firm - pedal should be solid, not spongy
  • Start engine and verify brake pedal remains firm with engine running
  • Check for any brake fluid leaks around calipers
  • Test drive in safe area at low speed (under 15 mph) to verify brakes engage smoothly and evenly without pulling
  • Perform several moderate brake applications to verify proper operation
  • After test drive, recheck slide pin bolt torque and wheel lug nut torque
  • Monitor brake performance for first 50 miles and address any unusual noises, pulling, or reduced braking effectiveness immediately

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