Hey everyone! Happy holidays!!

My wife has a 03 Escape XLT V6. I have to change the rotors and pads on it. All the vehicles that I have owned in the past when you take the caliper off you can pull the rotor of easily. Does this truck have hubs that I have to press or will the rotor come of easy when I take the caliper and pads off? Thanks for the help and have a good holiday!

 

I changed the front pads/rotors on my 02 in Nov 04 with around 75k miles. My rotors came off with a gentle tap of a rubber mallet. But I live down south and I've heard some others that drive on salted roads and/or offroad a bit have a hard time.

Before you start, check the caliper bolts you can see on the inside of the wheel (don't need to remove the tire). I know Ford varied the bolts in the 2002 year, don't know about 2003 but some take a hex wrench (9mm?) and others require a star. Other thoughts - have a piece of wire for hanging the caliper and hopefully your using non-OEM pads (dusting issues) and rotors (usually cannot be turned).

 

changed the rotors yesterday. good call on the piece of wire to hold the caliper! it was a 7mm hex bolt. the rotors took more than a gentle tap to get off but i think it's because i live in CT as you had mentioned about salt/snow. after a couple good cracks they came off. replaced them with some better rotors and pads. brakes good and doesn't pull! thanks

 

I only remember that because I was yelling - Honey, come get my roll of wire and cutters while I'm holding this caliper.

 

yeah the brake line is short. on my old chevy I would lay the tire under the car and would rest the caliper on that. It was long enough to do it but not on this Escape. the wife is very happy with the brakes and we saved a good amount of money. I am assuming it is around $400 at a shop for rotors, pads, and labor. does this sound about right? It only cost me $120 for parts and $7.50 for a bottle of Jameson! thank you again for your good advice!

 

$400 minimum and even more at the dealer. I believe my Raybestos ceramics were around $40 and their PG rotors were $50 each. Plus the "shop" would use lower quality parts.