How to Replace Brakes & Rotors

Replace your own brake pads and rotors and you can save a lot of money. Generally, you can plan on saving about 50 percent of the cost of having the job done at a repair shop if you do it yourself. It's well worth the time it will take you to replace your own brake pads and rotors. You will need a few tools, but most are tools you likely have if you do some of your own repairs already.

Instructions

1

Park the vehicle on a firm, level surface and remove the wheel covers.
Use your lug wrench and loosen, but do not remove the lug nuts. Turn in a counterclockwise direction to loosen.

2




Jack the vehicle up until the tires are off the ground and support the vehicle securely on jack stands. Then remove the lug nuts and the tires.

3




Locate and remove the caliper bolts. Some Ford vehicles do not use bolts. They have two wedge-shaped caliper locks. If your vehicle has these locks, use a punch and hammer and slide them out of the channels they are in.

4




Remove the caliper. Do not allow the caliper to hang by its brake hose. Hang it with a temporary hanger from a suspension arm or the frame.

5




Locate and remove the caliper support bolts. Remove the caliper support. Note the orientation of the brake pads in the support and remove the pads.

6




Remove the brake rotor, which should simply slide off the hub at this point. It may be necessary to use some force to remove it. Some tapping with a hammer can be done, but be careful because too much hard hammering can damage the wheel bearings. In this photo, a screwdriver is inserted in the fins of the rotor to help pry the rotor off. In some rare cases, it may be necessary to rent and use a large 3-jaw puller to remove the rotor.

7




Spread a thin layer of grease or anti-seize compound on the hub and install the new rotor by sliding it on the hub. Screw one lug nut on to hold the rotor in place.

8




Place a drop of Loctite medium-strength thread locker on the caliper support bolts and install the caliper support.

9

Install the new brake pads in the caliper support in the same orientation as the pads that were removed. Place a light cost of grease on the ends of the pads where they rest on the caliper support..

10

Using one of the old brake pads as a bridge between the pistons in the caliper, press the pistons back into the caliper with a large C-clamp. Squeeze the pistons in until they are fully retracted.

11

Discard the old pads and apply a light coat of brake grease to the areas of the caliper which contact the brake pads. Slide the caliper down over the pads and replace the caliper bolts. Tighten securely. Reinstall the wheel and tighten the lug nuts.

12

Jack the vehicle and remove the jack stands. Recheck the lug nuts and replace the wheel covers.