97 explorer brake pad replacement
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New User
Joined: Sep 2007
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97 explorer brake pad replacement
This is a complete noobie question but I want my ducks in a row before jacking my truck in the air.
I'm attempting to replace the front brake pads on my 97 explorer xlt. I've never done this but i'm told it's easy. One warning I was given is that a special tool may be required (a "star wrench").
I have detailed instructions on pad replacement but they are generic and not specific to Ford. Does anyone know a detailed list of the tools/items i'll need for this job?
Thank you.
PS: I tried searching for my answer before posting but got 10 pages in to no avail.
I'm attempting to replace the front brake pads on my 97 explorer xlt. I've never done this but i'm told it's easy. One warning I was given is that a special tool may be required (a "star wrench").
I have detailed instructions on pad replacement but they are generic and not specific to Ford. Does anyone know a detailed list of the tools/items i'll need for this job?
Thank you.
PS: I tried searching for my answer before posting but got 10 pages in to no avail.
Elder User
Joined: May 2004
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From: Webster, NY
I do not have me service manual handy (97 mountaineer) but on that vehicle the procedure was pretty simple with no special tools required. To compress the caliper I was able to use the tried and true C-clamp method. I do not recall the size of the needed wrenches... but they are metric.
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Joined: Jul 2005
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take off the wheel and tire. remove tow 13 mm head capscrews and and you can pull off the C shaped caliper with the two pistons in it. use a wire to tie this up the the upper a-frame so it dony hang on the brake line hose. now you can slip out the pads and replace them. if the brake disc needs to come off, or if you want to go a step further, remove two 15 mm headed capscrews and lift the caliper holder off of the steering knuckle. it straddles the disc. now slide the disc off. thats all there is to it..... when you put the caliper holder back on, the two 13mm headed screws thread into two sliding pins. pull those pins out, clean real good (wire brush), and put antisieze on them. that allows the caliper to slide side to side and put pressure on both pads and both sides of the disc.
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: pacific northwest
Just another thought since I have run into this before...remove the cap to the master cylinder and watch the level of the fluid when you compress the calipers to install the new pads. You might need to remove a little of the fluid, otherwise the fluid will overflow and make a bit of a mess. And, with the cap off, the caliper will compress just a little easier. I ain't a pro, just found out the hard way.
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Front Caliper Removal/reinstall
Instead of pushing that old fluid back up into your master cylinder, open the bleeder screw on the caliper itself. Be sure to replace all brake fluid in the system while you are at it. A large C clamp works fine to push pistons back into caliper. Make sure you dont get them jammed up though....push them straight back in. Also, suggest thread lock on the caliper mounting bolts when installing caliper back onto bracket, as I have had one come loose on my Expy.
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Thanks for all of the responses. I managed to get it done with a few problems.
First I snapped the socket extender off when trying to remove the caliper so I had to put the tire back on and go get a new one. Then after removing the caliper I found out my instructions were wrong and the c clamp was too small so I had to walk to the nearest store to find one.
Finally I had all the tools and the job took a total of about an hour and a half. Now that i've done it I can do it every time.
First I snapped the socket extender off when trying to remove the caliper so I had to put the tire back on and go get a new one. Then after removing the caliper I found out my instructions were wrong and the c clamp was too small so I had to walk to the nearest store to find one.
Finally I had all the tools and the job took a total of about an hour and a half. Now that i've done it I can do it every time.
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Elder User
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Hotshot
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for the "right tools" i bought a 6 point double ended wrench in sizes 13, 15, and 18 mm from SEARS that are really beefy. I use these to get the brake caliper and wheel ub/ bearing off on the F150 and Explorers. I broke a few wrenches and tore up 12 point sockets myself. take it from me, you can beat the CRAP out of a 6 point Craftsman wrench and it wont break... but a good 5 point hammer to go with them and KEEP YOUR FINGERS OUT OF THE WAY.
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