And I know this sounds stupid, but where the hell does the zero-drag spring go? I assume that's the coiled spring thingy that's not the housing spring, right? I can't for the life of me figure out where it goes. If somebody could point me to a diagram it would be most helpful. If not, just tell me--I might be able to figure it out...

 

What are you talking about? Expeditions have 4-wheel disk brakes, there are no springs.

 

Could that spring be for the parking brake?

 

That's what I was thinking also. Since the parking brakes are drum brakes.

 

It came with the new calipers I bought. It's called the "zero-drag spring" and it's basically a spring to keep the pads from the rotor when not braking (or so I've been told). It may not be necessary. Any advice?

 

So is there holes in the ends of the brake pads where the springs go, the reason I ask is my Excursion has that set up from factory.

 

You didn't specify a year or if it's an Expi or Navi, so hopefully you get your answer here:

http://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/fo..._160149_A1.pdf
http://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/fo..._150619_A1.pdf

How do you replace front disc brakes on a 4 whee... - JustAnswer
Accepted Answer

You will see a slot in the pad which goes on the caliper piston side. One end of the spring goes there and the other is weged against the center of the caliper between the pistons. If you're using aftermarket pads then this slot in the pad may not be there and this is the reason it seems impossible.

 

No, it's a single little spring that allegedly attaches to the piston side of the caliper close to the center, but I'll be damned if I can figure out where.

 

OK--found the little hole in the brake pad and wedged that spring in there and against the caliper. Doesn't seem to fit real well, but it'll have to do. Don't think there was one there on the old caliper, so it's probably better than nothing.

Thanks alloro. I reckon I'll find out if I did it right tomorrow

 

Thanks ALLORO for the post with pix. Very good inormation to have.

 

Jist doin' my part son, jist doin' my part.

 

Hey - those are the parts I had left over and could not get on because the pad thickness was making them hit the wheels. I will have to wait til they wear down more to see if I can get them back on.

 

SEE below.

 

Hey guys, thanks for the info. It was very sparse on the net, so I uploaded a couple of images for posterity:


You'll note the little tab on the back of the piston-side pad with a hole in it. You put the straight side of the spring into that, then bend the side with the large bends in it until it slips into a hole provided on the caliper. It's easy, but hard to decipher from what was available.

 

jmwcctx

THANK YOU !!!!!!

I'm in the middle of my brake job, and I so needed those two photos you posted. I even took apart the other wheel to see how it went, but the spring dropped when I removed the brake pad.

You are a life saver!