1998 Chrysler Town & Country Suspension Noise & Brake Repair -Fixing it Forward

[@gtoger]

As I've watched all of the repairs on this poor old van, I've marveled at the apparently very nice cosmetic condition is masking all sorts of trouble underneath. A good reminder when shopping for a used vehicle; if you're not mechanically savvy, do a pre-purchase inspection with a good mechanic.

[@JeffHazardous]

You heard it here first, folks. Eric likes it when they're easy.

[@commodore665]

Jeff Dooley don't we all

[@MechanicalMikesRoadsideRepair]

Jeff Dooley hehe

[@satamanschmidt3428]

Eric, Just for future reference there is no need to bolt the brake lever to the shoe. You should have noticed when you installed the brake equalizer bar (the name for the flat steel bar with the slots cut out of it on each end) the ears on it are clearly what keep the brake lever from "popping out". This is the way it was designed from Chrysler. It is probable that the bolts you installed will fall out from vibration causing a horrible noise as they rotate with the drum. If the washer gets between the shoe and the drum this could cause the rear brake system to fail on Barbara. Incidentally, that style of self adjuster activates using the service brakes not the parking brake as you thought. Just thought I could clear that up for you. SATAman.

[@Blazer02LS]

Was thinking the same thing. The ears hold the P-brake actuator in place. Common on drums.

[@shadowdog500]

I was thinking the same thing. I am a little worried about that bolt backing off in there.

[@thatguyb3rt]

SATAMAN Schmidt Noticed this too and was wondering the same thing.

[@timjrvine]

I also worry about that bolt, nut and washer combo.

[@terryball5134]

A little blue Loctite on the threads will prevent the nut from backing off.

[@nbassmusky]

Eric, I'm being critical here: Adding a nut, bolt, washer to a system that is not required. Also , when adjustingloose drum brakes put two lugs on to hold the drum. Tighten the shoes tight - this centers them, then back off till the drum is free.

[@batbawls]

You showed great restraint in not insulting the numb skull that last worked on the right rear brake.

[@thelonelywolf88]

Barbara must really love this car with all the work you're putting in it.

[@hayabusabg85]

I like the way Eric don't care much for the car working on. He is more focused on how the work should be done currectly. Good job Eric i wish it all mechanics be like you.

[@MrRako0002]

Hey Eric I love your show. I'm no mechanic but I do my own maintenance on my vehicles... the small stuff. I had one comment with using the brake line connection to bleed: it needs to positioned so that it's the highest point (like the bleed valve) to prevent air getting in. Air will tend to accumulate at the highest point in the caliper.

[@ovconley109]

For the love of god people, ALWAYS use your parking brake! 'P' on the transmission is not designed to hold your vehicle, it's simply the position the transmission needs to be in when you park your car. Eric, if you ever have the opportunity to pull apart an AT and find the parking latch, please show it on a video. If people only knew how flimsy that part is they wouldn't be trusting it to hold their cars anymore. You know how your car normally rocks forward or back a few inches, then bounces a little, when you let off your brakes? That's the little tiny latch bending under all that load. Not good.. Use your parking brake people :)

[@doobsnack]

Still amazed with the education you provide for us viewers. You always were and always will be the man! Thanks Eric!

[@Maerlyn1101]

Thank u for all you do. Ur my favorite technique to watch. The fixing it forward series shows how it's not just about money, but stepping up and doing the right thing. Keep the vids coming.

[@hanky97007]

I did the rear brake on my wife's 2000 grand caravan once since we bought it new. I have done about the front brakes about ten times already. I learned after the second time to install speed bleeders on the front calipers. Pads are free under a lifetime warranty. The van likes to eat pads every 18 months.

[@mds2465]

I was just thinking about the cable being disconnected and my answer to that is maybe the parking brake had seized at one point and disconnecting the cable was just the easiest option at the time. Either way I'm glad you addressed that issue. I probably would have put new brake shoes and hardware on it myself if it were a regular customers vehicle but I understand what you're doing for Barbara and trying to keep the costs as low as possible so hopefully it works and it's not a problem. A friend of mine with the same van had his parking brake lock up in the middle of the summer in the Adirondacks so it can happen. Only time will tell

[@philmeagher9073]

Michael Sackstein Hardware is cheap but I think he said something about the hardware looking like it'd been replaced recently and was in good enough shape

[@mds2465]

yeah I noticed that as well now

[@DJDevon3]

Eric look into placing VCARDS instead of annotations for links now. Links in the description are good but vcards will give any video a professional look for a seamless link integration. I've started using them, they're great. Excellent video. Enjoyed every minute of you working on this van. That van had so many problems we would believe you if you said it came from a junkyard. Keep up the great work.

[@mds2465]

An interesting video. I agree with the comment you made about the rear struts, you should definitely consider replacing those. Looks like they've seen much better days

[@RaoulThomas007]

Brian is not just the cameraman! He's a shop assistant, intern in training, assistant tech and cameraman! :)

[@CMDRSweeper]

***** And proffessional car shaker!

[@UNLEASHdaBEAST1]

May want to consider renaming this series to "Rebuilding it forward"..

[@Darren.G]

Lmao, ain't that the truth.

[@mib20000]

***** or How to rebuild a Chrysler town and country van ..

[@OSTKCabal]

eirefile It's Italian for "Cheap ass car".

[@daywalkervids]

Hey Eric that double ended fork that you take off from the bottom side of the rear brakes is what holds the emergency brake mechanism onto the shoes. That's how Chrysler made it that's why there was no bolts or anything holding it on to the shoe

[@klc317]

Nice work. Drum brakes are very simple but kinda daunting to work on the first time or two.

[@marvintpandroid2213]

klc317 Yep, the trick is to do one side at a time, take it slow and dont get grease onto the breaking faces, just on the points on the backing plate

[@bigfella6629]

Heads Tails A really good trick if your pulling apart something on a vehicle is take pics with your mobile phone, then you can refer to them if your not sure how it goes back together.

[@marvintpandroid2213]

bigfella65 Yep, I have done that a few times, turns out to be a life saver from time to time

[@royo4133]

Eric, you'r the guy! Love your videos. maybe a little idea for the second 'fixing it forwards' Take the car for a drive before and after. I was really curious how this first one would turn out after all the repairs :). keep up the good work, I learn from you!

[@MrFanman43]

For some reason... it wasnt until this video that I realized that the Engine revving noise in every one of Eric's videos is from the movie Bullit. X)

[@speedfreak1500]

If the van is rocking don't come knocking.....

[@moneygeewtee]

Great job Eric and Brian!!!! Take care guys.

[@andrewthompsonuk1]

As always lots of useful tips. I always attempt to activate the ajuster by moving the shoes and or e brake cable. Often it dors not work and the leaver needs reshaping or as Eric did something is wrong with the assembly. Like the change brake fluid with pads trick. Why push dirty fluid back.

[@adamjosephbliss]

I really do enjoy the fixing it forward videos. Keep up the good work.

[@Seegalgalguntijak]

EricTheCarGuy Hey Eric, I've just opened your August newsletter and seen the translation links with the little flags in the top. After having clicked on the German link though, I really don't think machine translation will go anywhere, at least not in the next 10 years or so. That's so funny (in a weird sense), it almost spoiled the actual pleasure of reading the newsletter in English - because of the "violation of language" this machine translation provides... ;-)

[@stupa55]

Eric, A quick tip for you. If you doing a brake job and the lift, take the wheels of when the car is a little bit of the ground. That will save you energy and your back :)

[@james4v261]

Their needs to be more guys like him bc when I took my rv for inspection they said the marker lights where out the brakes were bad and the brake lines were rotting. The guy said it will cost 800 but then I took it back to my house and checked out the things the guy said was wrong and everything was good. People are just trying to steal your money watch out for those people

[@HeyCesarA4]

Hey Eric, quick question. I always thought that clamping the rubber brake line was a bad idea, does it not damage the line or does it just depend on the condition of the line?

[@oldhippie100]

man i just love the size of your garage,I'm envious

[@trainsbangsandautomobiles824]

I see you really like that zep penetrating oil. Whats your opinon on others such as PB blaster and Kroil? Love the vids btw, been a fan since 2009, keep up the great work dude!

[@edmundcotta8111]

on the drum brakes I found it's Soo much faster and easier to remove the bottom spring or springs and pull the whole mechanism off at the shoes. pull apart the upper and separate it from the wheel cylinder and then proceed with the bottom. be sure to remove the retainer clip and spring first and the whole thing will come apart in one piece in 10 minutes or less I got mine off in 5

[@chriscash710]

when the vans a rocking.... eric the car guy is just troubleshooting a problem

[@perrykesner3177]

Question on the last Video where you bleed all brakes on on Barbara’s 98 mini, after you replaced the rear wheel cylinders but on the left front you bleed from from the caliper “Banjo nut” why, did I miss a stripped or frozen bleeder? Very help full as I’m working on a 98 twisted/cracked rear brake line and all! Including broken bleeder left front! Thanks Eric...

[@numancia316]

Hi Eric, I been following you for many years, your videos are very helpful to me and to many people also but let me tell you something personal, I prefer the pre-lift era of eric the car guy, i prefer when you used the same kind of tools and chemicals that we, your people can afford. Now, with your lift, everything it's different, now you use zep products instead of wd-40 just to name something. We use to see links in the description to more information about a specific topic, now we see links to stores (marketing). I hope you can read this lines, it;s only my humble opinion. Best wishes from baja 1000 off road race hometown

[@megavern72]

My car has an electronic parking brake. Should I still use it occasionally for self-adjustment or would I just be wearing it out?

[@terryball5134]

As with any brake issue New replacement parts will come in a New spring package. One other thing I have always done is use white lithium grease on the bosses. A little blue Loctite on the threads will prevent the nut from backing off. But i stress new replacement parts as old are just that and worn out.

[@AamirZ]

I could not find silicone paste anywhere here in UK, I could only find at car parts store red rubber grease for slide pins. High temp and good with rubber, so far hasn't let me down.

[@mrc6032]

What's great about recording is no need to take pictures. Video is better also. I can watch your videos hours on end. Thank you .

[@HammondOfTexas0]

Eric, you should go get yourself some of the Li-ion batteries for for your Ryobi tools, even the small ones last surprisingly long.

[@stephenward8550]

I just noticed on the front caliper bracket where the pads sit that after you sanded them clean that there was a wear mark from the inner pad that looked pretty deep. I think that might be the cause of the uneven wear on the inner side of the rotor. The pad getting hung up on it and not sliding freely?

[@wysetech2000]

The lower bar holds the park brake lever in place. Does not require a nut and bolt.

[@rimmersbryggeri]

Eric I was thinking maybe it's better to us a long 6 sided socket on the bleeder nipple to crack it lose. Wouldnt strip as easily that way. My mechanic friend had a relly nice special tool for it but I can't find that one to buy so I think I will go with the socket to break it lose next time.

[@atraxr603]

Why do they use metric size bolts and imperials ones on the same car? That seems kinda daft thing to be doing on same car... Hey Eric, thanks for posting links to sites that do worldwide shipping. Means a lot to me since I'm not from US.

[@rhkips]

I ended up switching over to Royal Purple's Maxfilm spray for self adjuster assemblies. Thus far, it seems to withstand the test of time better than anti-seize. :)

[@alanmakinson7986]

LoL when Eric was doing the drum brakes me and my dad had just finished doing our drum brakes on our car

[@VexingCode]

Someone thought I was watching porn. Rubber plugs, Penetrating lengthened rods.

[@programmerx8455]

How long did the reviews(all the corrections you did) actually take? Like total time wise for everything?

[@dvddmc]

Hey Eric did you check out the condtion of the Spare tire that is under there too like taking it down checking the air in it and checking the Spare tire hanger so that it comes down easy with out any problems if she ever has a blow out

[@NGinuity]

Hah... your shake test reminds me of what happens when I pick up a lady of the evening in Grand Theft Auto... LOL

[@vick-k5f]

Very good video, lots of tips and alot of details! You just got another subscriber.

[@06acc]

Is that hanger installed upside down? Looks like that portion coming through the hanger should be facing up.

[@airwolf12999]

Always on these videos and else where i see people comment about how these van's were POS/Junk and not worth fixing but mainly the problems you have been fixing is wearable parts that wear out with any car. this van has been on the road for almost 20 years and yet what made it stop was a transmission fluid leak that turned into a costly repair because it was ignored/unseen

[@20matrix20]

Hey there Eric, my OBD2 codes indicate "A small leak has been detected in the evaporative system" just wondering if this could make things alot worse if i dont get it fixed right away. or if its an easy fix could you let me know through a reply or even a video. cheers!

[@genmaxpain]

on your dryd up anti seize add a about a teaspoon or tablespoon of oil to it to make it like new copper anti seize for some reason dry's out over time, specially if your down to the last inch or 2 in the container

[@gregp05]

Why dont you clean the hubs from all that rust on the front brakes when putting new rotors on?

[@jdgimpa]

The strut holds the parking brake lever in place there was no need to put the bolt in it!!

[@bigblock53]

a friend of mine told me today that he uses the crc red disc brake quiet spray on the flange and drum/rotor instead of anti seze

[@foxdmulder]

I do 5 of these jobs on the ground daily but on a lift makes it look so easy.

[@aserta]

foxdmulder It's a time saver, back saver, best investment you can make if you can afford one (space, money).

[@kmcca08]

aserta I'm currently suffering a knee and a back injury as a result of working on the ground. It is not worth it..luckily for me and after a lot of hard graft I got a new lift coming soon and I cannot wait..

[@abdulelahbinserya1467]

eric what is ( evans waterless engine coolant ) it is good for my car i have to change coolant in my car or use regular 50/50

[@FrenchValleyAirport]

Watching this really makes me question why new cars still come with drum brakes, so disgusting.

[@franciscocruzmaza4824]

i have a town and country 99 and driving 20 or 10 minutes suddenly the engine get Off i don´t know why..i turned the key and the engine is power on....but in 2 scenarios the brakers got locked and didn´t work...and i have to select P of parking to stop the caravan..what it could be happening? thank amigo

[@johnsmith-sw7ii]

Cant believe you didnt bleed the brakes!!! You opened the system to air when you cracked the line connector to push back the piston.

[@freedomlover2808]

john smith He did bleed the brakes. He used the hose clamps to keep the air from getting into the system.

[@troopbd]

+Lord Palpo he hosed clamped 6 in from the bolt, so when he opened the system gravity let brake fluid leave the line from the clamp down as he was pushing the fluid out of the caliper, so he did introduce air into the system. when the 6 in of line from the clamp gravity bled, it left air in the void, so no, he did not bleed the brakes, and yes, he did introduce air into the system

[@leadfootlawnmower2762]

@EricTheCarGuy i have an 05 chrysler sebring that was recently ran out of fuel. wouldnt start of course. shortly after we put in about $20 ( about 5 GAL ) reading a bit over half a tank fuel to get er back up on it wheels. and now its startling and stalling shortly after. good thing its home. we are searching every possible aspect and coming up empty handed. would you or anyone know what the problem is. we even tryed purging the fuel rail of air pockets. side note there is a red flashing light under the fuel gauge. hope its not a permanent end to such a good looking car for the year

[@adriaan9011]

Why dont you just push in the brake piston with the bleader closed? the brake fluid wil just get pushed back in the container via the master-cilinder. Also i would not use cutters on springs or cables, just a little kink in a spring may weaken it, and on cables you wil damage any protective coating.

[@ericthecarguy]

adriaan Because that can ruin the master cylinder. I've seen it too many times to chance it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/onLZmoJ9jd94i80

[@paulmvn5431]

EricTheCarGuy why would the master cylinder break?

[@jdgimpa]

Paul MvN When you just push the piston back with the bleeder closed you force all the debris in the caliper back into the system not only can you mess up the master cylinder it can also mess up the ABS by lodging the debris in the valves!

[@mergeform]

grant wright oh Oh so that's what happened to my ABS. My other old car has no ABS and never had a problem with C clamping the fluid back into the master cylinder.

[@daveyio87]

i noticed before you put the rotor on you didn't clean the hub flange surface, not doing this could cause lateral run out of the rotor and a brake pulsation!

[@rasvial]

who's in the van at 1:13? seems like brians having a good time ;)

[@forestspinner9711]

see my parking brake wont stay engaged. and back in march when i bought the van in 2020 the parking brake worked. now it doesnt. ive tried to do the reverse braking thing but nothing took.

[@landonsmith9384]

Hey eric where did you pick up that penetrating oil

[@gpowerdragon9852]

hey did you notice the rust that's a lot of it could be a problem near the gas cap

[@daviDJacome1975]

sorry if this is a stupid question but what happens if the nuts and bolts you put on those moving parts come loose with the vibrations? if they come off while the wheel is spinnig it could be a disaster. or am i exagerating?

[@brendanssound]

David Jacome chances are pretty unlikely anything bad would happen. Just lose and a nut and bolt somewhere on the road

[@Rounds174]

1080p, nice!

[@John76546-x]

Good video Eric. However, Find another vehicle and spread the charity.

[@peterberchowitz6859]

What size hose should I get to make my own Brake bleeder bottle

[@hellcat1988]

As I've learned through movies and previous experience with working on cars, there is ALWAYS time for lubricant and some is good, more is better and too much is just enough. Also, why wouldn't you just use a caliper compressor tool? They're nice and easy to use as long as the brake line isn't collapsed inside or the brake bleeder is open and it'd have been MUCH faster than your method.

[@StephanHarz]

EricTheCarGuy Sorry for jumping on a video an posting off topic. I have a truck project I'm working on...if you could message me so I can ask a few questions if you have a min or two.

[@DarrenCoull]

Anyone else cringing at the sight of the two huge rust blisters on the rear arches? Guess it is not surprising given the care and attention the van has had mechanically over the past few years... :-) Please grind it back and rust inhibitor and a quick spray to at least delay the rot!

[@958van]

I don't get why you open the hydraulics system to push back the piston? I never do, and know no one that does?

[@shalnks]

That leaver on the right hand lining? Isn't that the auto adjuster for the brakes. So as the linings wear down they are adjusted as the wear so they remain in close contact to the drum

[@papa3arellano]

Whats the name for the tool used to put the spring back on the locking pin

[@wakefieldyorkshire]

It's hard to believe that Barbara was actually driveing that death trap, before you started work on it.

[@samtsamt1041]

Forgot to add: Recheck for rubbing after a test drive to warm the brakes, 1 more click looser at a time. then let the brakes cool a bit.

[@ModestConfidence]

that little brake pad clip is probably the only thing Chrysler got right here. haa

[@griffnut666]

I usually use a c clamp and block of wood on caliper piston and force the fluid back up into the reservoir.

[@cloudwalker3650]

+Wayne G Forcing the fluid back up into the reservoir is NOT good, because on MANY master cylinders you will cause the rugger seals to go in the OPPOSITE direction than they were intended to go.

[@galaxie500xl7]

You've practically built this lady a car. I've pulled them out of junk yards that didn't need this much work.

[@TheJamiewalshe]

best quality love the hell out of ur videos eric

[@REMIREZZ]

When is the new engine going in?

[@jetjazz05]

DIE HARD GOLD?! WOOH! Fancy fancy. No but seriously, I've never had a battery as good as a Die Hard Platinum. The golds are terrific too... I live in Florida now and purchased a "BOSCH" battery from Pep Boys... total trash. I've had TWO fail (under the 3 year warranty) so far, but the last time I warrantied it they deleted it from the computer system (I've read this happening to others, so basically it's intentional). Apparently these batteries are made by Exide, and I have no intentions of ever EVER getting one again. Johnson makes some Die Hards, and so does East Penn, both have fairly good reputations. At the end of the day though it could be pretty hit or miss, really no telling if you'll get a good battery heh.

[@arlindjax]

I've lived in florida for 14 years.... I hate pep boys.... Napa and autozone are my favorites.

[@ajedwards428]

Hey Eric I have a 05 ford five hundred. When I'm driving thru a drive thru close to a building or parking next to a car on the left side there is a clicking noise coming from the left side. What could that be?

[@brendanssound]

AJ Edwards front or rear?

[@ajedwards428]

It's when I'm stopping and it's coming from the front left.

[@dhairyaganatra9865]

Hey Eric the lug nuts toque is 100ft

[@MrTrustafox]

I hope Barbara is paying poor Eric something for all this, its almost total rebuilt lol

[@06acc]

I know people keep saying why bother fixing this van because it is a money pit etc. Considering the cost of a new car these days factoring in depreciation most cars can be kept on the road indefinitely as long as parts are cheap and you do the work yourself or have a trusted person do it for you.

[@joshuaplantan90]

+EricTheCarGuy I take honors vocational automotive at school my teacher is an ase certified tech he's been in the business all his life, when we do brake jobs, we just use a caliper re tractor but don't open the bleeder valve or the brake like we just allow it to flow back into the master cylinder, thoughts eric? Or opinion?

[@ScooterVille1971]

How accurate are those torque stick's?

[@comatose871]

No kidding. Not as accurate as people think. Just because they flex dosent mean they don't over torque by an ass load

[@ScooterVille1971]

comatose871 Guess I'll be sticking to my usual method of using a good ol fashion torque wrench. Well the torque wrench isn't old fashion.....u gt the point! LOL Thanks for the info.

[@ericthecarguy]

comatose871 They work fine. I've actually checked them and they're pretty close.

[@ScooterVille1971]

EricTheCarGuy thanks brother.

[@February54]

Scooter Ville I think ±3 ft/lb

[@austin1002]

When the van's a'rockin....

[@เกษมหมวดโคกสูง-ถ3น]

Good

[@bringbacknames]

Do you really not know that the parking brake link holds the parking brake lever to the brake shoe? That's going to be great when your "fix" comes apart and jams the drum in place. I don't mean to seem like I think I know more than you because I don't, but that's pretty silly.

[@anthonyjcarolan3161]

Top tip of you done with that brakes shoes using photographs on your phone

[@jonnoMoto]

So, when's the engine rebuild and respray? lol

[@nathan4919]

By the time you are done with this she will have a brand new car haha j/k.