How do you repair the brakes on a car or van?

Depends on which part of the braking system you are talking about.

Pads?

Remove wheels,

Unbolt the calipers and hang them up.

Remove old pads,

Clean the caliper bracket, Install the new caliper hardware,

Install new pads,

Loosen master cylinder cap, Push the caliper pistons back flush,

Tighten master cylinder cap,

Pump up the brake with the brake pedal.

Lots of components in a braking system, that is just the pads,, some still have shoes on the rear which is a series of clips and springs and varies from car to car.

Then you have,

Master cylinders,

Brake boosters,

Automatic braking systems,

Diverter valves,

Brake lines,

Electric & Hydraulic Calipers and Wheel cylinders,

bleeding,

Pads & Rotors,

Emergency cables & Motor's,