I need to change the rear brake pads on a 2007 Expedition and was going to turn the rotors also. It appears the rotor is held onto the axle by a large nut and not having done any brake jobs in several years, I've never run into a rear rotor that's bolted on. Can anyone tell me if this is the case and if so, what size socket do I need to get it off. Also, I was curious if there is anything else I need to know before I dive in. I heard it was a bitch to get off.

 

Every parts diagram I can find shows that you only have to remove the wheel and caliper to remove the rotor. The hub stays on the vehicle.

 

Its a slip off rotor, they get really stuck sometimes. A smack with a bfh between the wheel studs gets most of them loose but the expeditions tend to rust and get really tight

 

Thanks for the help guys. I thought it was probably just stuck on there by rust but didn't want to force it until I found out for sure. I'll just get "Big Red," my 60oz. dead blow rubber mallet and have a talk with it. I appreciate it.

 

make sure the parking brake is released...not that I've ever done that...

 

I've tried the hammer technique and was going to use the bolt technique to push the drum off and found an easier way. There's a very small space between the end of the bolt that holds the caliper bracket and the dust shield/brake rotor. I had a short prying tool or splitter, even a flathead screwdriver might work. Place the end between the bolt and the rotor and tap it until the brake rotor releases. I beat on the rotor with a dead blow hammer and also a sledge with no success. The bolt technique works but you need the tools and the bracket bolts aren't the easiest to remove. This only took a few minutes.

 

I registered just to post this reply, so hopefully the picture I posted linked up correctly here.

I tried hammering in a wedge as suggested by farmermanmatt above but my rotor just wouldn't give. Here's how I solved the problem.

Remove the caliper; we'll be using the same gap between the bracket and rotor dust cover that farmermanmatt described. You'll see that the bolts that hold on the caliper bracket occupy about half of the space in this gap when fully tightened. Back the bolts out until they are no longer exposed in the gap. Wedge a hardened piece of metal in between the caliper bracket and rotor dust cover and position it so that it covers the bracket bolt holes (pictured.) Now tighten the bolts again. They will push your wedged piece of metal against the rotor and push the rotor off. Once I figured this out I had the rotor off in just a couple of minutes. And, it doesn't damage the rotor at all, so you can simply have it turned and re-install.

The piece of flat metal that you wedge in to do this should fit snug, around 3/8" thick or thereabouts. The piece I used was an old extra arm from a garage door opener that I had laying around. I hope this helps someone.

 

Hmm, doesn't look like the picture posted. Here's the link:

Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums - forptoh's Album: rear rotor 07 expedition - Picture

also without an active link, put a www. ahead of this:

ford-trucks.com/forums/members/forptoh-albums-rear+rotor+07+expedition-picture110381-20120913-121734.html