This morning I am replacing both front brake calipers/ pads/ rotors on my 2005 F-250 FX4 with four wheel ABS. Is there anything I need to know to be cautious of in reference to the ABS system? I do not want to accidentally set an ABS code due to replacing these parts. Any recommendations or experience shared would be great. I thank you in advance for your responses.

 

Don't let the master cylinder run dry. Even if it does, you usually won't have any ABS codes pop up, just more work to bleed the system. Why are you replacing both calipers ???


RON

 

Passenger side front caliper is sticking causing the brakes pads to overheat my rotor and make the wheel of the truck too hot to touch. Had to have it towed home. The slides were clean and lubed prior to this incident. The bearing is fine. I figured replacing the stock parts would best be done in pairs.

 

Be cautious of the ABS wire that is attached to the brake hose. If you remove the caliper hose banjo bolt before removing the caliper you can avoid this.

If you do not have new copper washers for the banjo bolts you can soften them back to their original state by heating them up to red and letting them cool. (Washed, this can be done on a stove if held by a coat hanger.)

Before breaking open any of the banjo bolts, place a piece of wood between the seat and brake pedal to slightly apply the brakes and pull the fuse for the brake lights if they go on. This will prevent the brake fluid from draining out of the reservoir causing air to get into the ABS system. You will have to break open either a bleeder screw or banjo bolt to release fluid pressure before you can remove the calipers.

Plan on having a strong impact gun or length of pipe on a breaker bar when removing the bolts for the caliper bracket. They are a high torque value and use blue Loctite so they are tough to remove. One of my brake techs and torn a tendon in his shoulder removing one of these.

Trial fit the brake pads in the caliper to make sure they slide freely. Aftermarket steelbacks do not have a tight manufacturing tolerance and aftermarket production lines sometimes put on too much paint, either of these will cause pad hangup which is easily solved with a little filling or grinding.

 

You should buy and extra set of calipers too. My 08 was less than a year old when one by one they all froze and ford didn't want to replace them under warranty because "brakes are normal wear and tear items"

 

I'm having the exact same experience right now on my 05 with 77k on original callipers; pulled the wheel was able to easily move pads/pistons around; undid the slide bolts and the are all good.
Very strange; drove again & same issue (truck will pull to left & calliper super hot on one side).
Replaced both rear callipers last year.
I have other vehicles with original callipers all the way to 15-20 years old.....very disappointed with Ford (again).

Is this a common design issue with theses twin piston callipers???
Does anyone know why the pistons (or what else could it be) stick on???

 

If one brake is hot because it's not cooling, and you are ...."able to easily move pads/pistons around; undid the slide bolts and the are all good", then it's time to think about replacing the brake hose as it probably has an internal tear that is acting as a one way valve.