I am about to tear into my front brakes on my 2005 Superscrew 4wd F150. I have purchased a set of EBC 600o green brakes to cut down on the dust. Any suggestions for the rest of the job before I get into it. The rotors are neither warped nor cut into by the old pads. I miked them and their was no run out on either side. With the rotors like this can i just take the finish off with some sand paper or do I have to get the rotors turned???

 

you'll get opinions each way. I'd have a shop put a light cut on them unless they look great and are not discolored or glazed over at all.

 

a lot of times you will not find a shop that will turn the rotors on the newer F150s. Also when you take them off you must replace the spindle nut. It is a ONCE USE nut.

 

the spindle nut removal is only for 2x4s. the 4x4s have the slide off 5 minute rotors.

 

if your rotors are true via a Micrometer reading...I'd leave them be personally.


just do your sandpaper method and a good degreasing/cleaning of all parts.



luckily you have the 4x4 which is super easy

 

After reading all the posts here about the 2wd I am glad that I have a 4wd. I cannot believe that ford would make it that complicated on those vehicles.

 

It's not that bad IMHO. I've had vehicles with 1 piece hubs and separate hub/rotors. Yes the 2 piece can be quicker but if the existing rotors are fine then freshening up the pads, it's not a big deal either way. About the only gripe is the 1 use nut otherwise it really hasn't changed that much in 30-40 years.

Paul

 

I need to replace the front brake pads on my 04 4x4 soon, it will be my first brake job with disc brakes... any advice/can anyone point me towards a good tutorial?

 

This is very easy,

1. jack truck up
2. take tire off,
3 unbolt caliper slide bolts
4. remove calipers and old pads. don't open the brake lines though,
5. hang caliper out of the way.
6. remove rotors. (may need a little persuasion with dead blow or rubber mallet.)
7, get rotors turned, or replace, (if you don't, most likely will have a squeal with new pads

8. using the old inside pad and a BIG c-clamp. press the caliper piston back into the caliper to make room for the new pads.

9, clean hub area (may need a little sand paper or brush) and install new or turned rotor, Clean everything with brake parts cleaner or carb cleaner. I find that either works fine. Don't forget to clean the calipers also.

10 Apply brake grease (anti-squeal compound) to the back of the new pads, if the new pads have new shims, apply a film coating of the grease between the shim and the pad backing, and apply to the back of the shim that touches the caliper. do this for both pads.

11. install new pads into caliper, do not touch the pad surface if you can help it. I sometimes spray my hands off with a little brake cleaner to get all the grease off before handling the pads to install. Make sure the outer pad retaining clip is installed properly.

11, inspect the caliper slide pin rubber boots. if torn or missing, get new ones.

12. lay loaded calipers in place on rotor.

13. Grease caliper pin bolts with same grease for pads. install the pins, and tighten up real tight. (to spec is better).

14, spray exposed parts of rotor with cleaner, front, and as much of the back as you can get to. DO NOT SPRAY THE CALIPERS AGAIN, you'll wash the grease on the pads onto the rotors.

15. put tire on and tighten lug nuts to spec with torque wrench.

16. start truck and pump brakes until pedal becomes firm.

17, repeat on other side. If you don't do step 16 before doing the other side, you may overflow the brake fluid reservoir when you squeeze the caliper piston in on the other side.

I can do disc brakes in my sleep. haha.

Hope this helps.

 

Wow that is really helpful! Thank you very much!!