Hey everyone, I'm replacing the front rotors on my 2wd 05. I've read the posts about the locking spindle nut replacement ( one of Fords better ideas!) Could anyone share their experiences with this task? I would like to know what size socket I'll need to remove this nut. Any tips on the process would be most welcome!

 

the socket is a 36mm deep. Got mine at advance auto for $18.00. The torque spec is 350 ft/lbs. I used a 3/4" drive torque wrench from work. It is a pain to get off the nuts are pretty tight.

 

Are u sure that your rotors are not 2 piece and the rotors just slip off the hub???? I did not know ford was using a 1 piece rotor in anything?????

 

Hey Dude< Thanks for the info! Yeah the wizards @ Ford engineering really figured this one out.... As it pertains to 2WD braking systems from 04 up, you are not only stuck with a crappy brake system, but you have to purchase replacement spindle nuts, and tourqe them to a totally ridiculous 295 lbs! I've done my own brake work for years on Ford vehicles I've owned, none have even approached this level of B.S.! I was hoping that the brake problems I suffered with my old 94 F150 SC were finally improved before I purchased this truck... NOT! In addition to premature wear, now one is faced with unneccesary part replacements ( locking spindle nuts $20 each!) I love my Fords but, maybe there's a reason that their business is tanking! Henry, rest in peace!

 

Wow Mark so u have to replace the rotor as a complete assembly hub and all, are the wheel bearings on a 2 wd permanently packed or do u also have to pack them????

 

Yes, the 4X2 is one piece, permanently lubed.

 

wow, 350lbs for the spindal nut?!?!?!?! if i'm thinking right, usually spindal nuts are only torqued to like 17ft lbs on cars!

i gues its diff on trucks! but geez, that sounds too dam high!

i could see those dam poor bearings screaming!

 

I think the bearing in the 2wd rotor is a cartridge unit so the rolling elements are probably not seeing any of that load from the high torque, it's just clamping the inner race/carrier.

 

That doesn't clamp down on the bearings but the whole hub assembly. A good quality impact should aid you in getting it off, of course you don't want to use an impact to reinstall. My impact bursts at 750 ft lbs, so im sure it'd do the job. By the sounds of it im glad i got a SD 4x4 because the rotors are super easy to change on them, all you need is a 21mm a 24mm, and BFH

 

I believe raybestos makes a spindle nut for about $16.00. I would also try the FTE/parts guy. When I did my brakes I got one warped rotor I was facing having to buy them twice. It wound up being the rear rotor that was warped. Never had to take the fronts off again.

 

I found the following while researching rotor replacement...


Service Guide, F-Series New Model 2004, Glen Beanard, Brake & Front End, March 2007

"Brakes
One significant design change is to the front rotors. On the 4x2 “NEW” F150, the front wheel bearings are now sealed bearings that are pressed into the rotors and secured with a snap ring.

This design calls for a special adapter for your bench-style brake lathe. If you use a bench style brake lathe, you also need to be aware that the retaining nut for the rotor is not intended for reuse. For this reason, it may be wise for your shop to stock two retaining nuts for 2004-and-up F150 2WD.

If your shop uses an on-car lathe, you will need a new adapter as well for the new lug nut pattern on these vehicles. The 4x4 is a hub-less design rotor and requires no special bench lathe adapter beyond what is needed for any hub-less rotor.

On these trucks, the rotors are proving to wear as fast as many European cars do. Usually, these rotors only make it through about one resurfacing before needing to be replaced. The replacement rotors from the dealer come with a new bearing already loaded into them."


Hope this helps...

 

Can anyone tell me what the danger is in reusing the spindle nut? It has a pin through it as a retainer. Just curious as to what the need for new ones is.

 

Here's more information... (all links)

Stainless Steel Brake Corporation Slotted Rotor Installation on a 2006 Ford F150: Stylin' Trucks installs SSBC's Rotor and Caliper Replacement kit for the Ford F-150


Sport Truck shows a Wilwood setup...which has a removable hub. (of course it's $2900 for the set)

Custom 2004 Ford F-150 Big Brakes Install - Sport Truck Magazine


AC Delco has the parts (page 4)

http://acdelcotechconnect.com/pdf/07TSS-061.pdf

 

It is a nylock nut and they only lock the first time you put them on. They probally could be used again but I don't want to take any chances.

 

I just had my front rotors turned today. Firestone said they would have to be replaced next time....Does anyone know how much I can expect that to be? I replaced the stock pads at 22,000 miles because of the brake dust. Then at 25,000 miles I started getting vibration in the front when I would brake. I too, have always done my own brakes and rotors until now. Thanks Ford....why did they do the rotors this way?