How to Take Off the Front Rotor of a Ford Truck

The Ford truck brake system uses a traditional spindle and bearing, with the hub cast into the rotor. Removal is a snap if you follow a few simple steps. Two types of caliper retention have been used over the years. The first is the wedge-type design that uses two wedge-shaped slides to retain the caliper, and the second is the bolt-type that uses a tapered bolt slide pin that slips into the backside of the caliper. Both types are easily removed to allow the rotor to slide off the spindle.

Instructions

1

Raise the vehicle and support it with jack stands on the frame of the truck. Remove the wheel to gain access to the brake system. It is very important to support the weight of the vehicle with jack stands and not just the jack. Every year people are seriously injured or killed by jack failures or vehicles that fall off a jack. Be safe.

2

Remove the caliper by prying the brake pads back slightly with a screwdriver and removing the caliper slides. If you have the wedge-type slides, then remove them by driving them out with a hammer and punching until they pop out of the back of the caliper. If you have the bolt-type slides, then simply unbolt them. In either case, put the slides aside in a safe place.

3

Remove the rotor by first removing the dust cap, then the cotter pin and large spindle nut. Slip the outer bearing and washer out of the rotor, and then reinstall the spindle nut. With a single sharp jerking motion, pull the rotor off the spindle. The spindle nut will catch on the bearing and neatly remove the inner bearing and seal.

4

To reinstall, pack the wheel bearings and install the inner bearings and the seal. Then slide the rotor onto the spindle and insert the outer bearing, washer and nut. Tighten the spindle nut until it is snug, and then back off 1/8 turn. Install a new cotter pin and the dust cap.