How to Replace the Brake Pads on a 2004 Ford F-150

A 2004 Ford F150 truck has what is known as four-wheel disc brakes. Always make sure you change both pads on each wheel and on both wheels of an axle when replacing the brake pads. Usually the front brake pads wear out faster than the rear brake pads, oftentimes twice as fast. This is because the front brakes bear the brunt of stopping the vehicle. You can perform your own brake inspection about every other time you change your oil.

Instructions

1

Block the front of the rear wheels to keep the truck from rolling forward while you work on it.

2

Loosen up but do not remove the front wheel lug nuts using the lug wrench.

3

Place the floor jack under the front end of the truck and jack it up. Slip two jack stands under the truck, one next to each wheel. Using the floor jack, lower the truck onto the stands and then remove the floor jack.

4

Select a wheel to work on and remove all of its lug nuts and the wheel. Put on a face mask to protect you from noxious fumes and particulates. Slide a drip pan under the brakes and spray them generously with brake cleaner. The dirt and grime will drip off of the brakes and into the drip pan.

5

Use the socket wrench set to open the brake caliper bolts. Remove the brake caliper by lifting up and off the rotor. Pull off the old brake pads and throw them away.

6

Spray some brake cleaner on the caliper and lube the caliper with white lithium grease.

7

Put the new pads in the same position as the old pads. Put the caliper down over the rotor and tighten the bolts onto the calipers with the socket wrench set.

8

Put on the wheel and lug nuts and tighten the lug nuts with your hands.

9

Repeat the same brake pad replacement procedure for the wheel on the other side of the axle.

10

Put the floor jack back under the front of the truck and lift up the front end of the truck. Remove the jack stands and lower the truck with the floor jack. Tighten the lug nuts to 140 foot-pounds with the torque wrench.

11

Repeat the procedure with the rear wheels, if needed.