I have a 2005 4WD Expy (103K miles) and my rear brakes are grinding. I obviously let them go too long.

I have not driven it since they started grinding and am planning on doing the brake job myself. It's been a while but I have done a few brake jobs in the past. I have a few questions and also am looking for tips to prevent complications:

1. Will I need any special tools? Special tool to compress the calipers?

2. Should I prep/replace the rear rotors. How can I tell when needed?

3. What pads should I use? Brand, where to buy, etc..

I also plan on replacing my warped front rotors. I will not be doing that this weekend but could use some recommendations on this as well. Would like the thickest rotors possible to prevent warping here in hot South Florida. Warping has been an issue since truck had 20K miles. Rotors turned by dealer (would not replace) and happened again shortly thereafter.

Thanks in advance.

 

1.you can use any number of things to compress the caliper, large chanel locks, c-clamp, screwdriver (pry it back in before you remove the caliper)

2. just replace both rotors, if they went metal to metal you'll be taking alot off to smooth them out-- ie faster to warp

3. go with napas best parts they cost more then auto zone but that is because they are worth more, of course motorcraft has good stuff too but costs more( sometimes)

 

I use these front/back on my Navigator and am pretty happy with them.

http://brakeperformance.com/

Premium dimpled / slotted come with brake pads included. They are milled in USA (So Cal). Not sure if the steel is US but the labor is. I've had them on two years with no issues.

I also agree with previous poster that it's hard to go wrong with premium Napa parts. They are outstanding quality as well and you won't have to wait a week for shipping to FL from CA.

I included an email I received this week for $10 off Premium dimpled/slotted with free pads (but must order via phone).

Holiday Phone Special Extended!
(Offer Valid Until January 31st 2010)



$10.00 Discount And Free Brake Pads On Every Set Of
Premium Slotted & Dimpled Brake Rotors!






Call Us Mon-Fri Between 8:00AM to 6:00PM PST
And Request $10.00 Discount & Free Brake Pads
(Note: No Orders Placed Online Will Apply)
• Low Price Guarantee On All Rotors
• Lifetime Warranty Against Warping and Cracking
• Improved Breaking In All Weather Conditions
• Zinc Plated In Silver Or Black To Reduce Rusting
• Guaranteed Fit With No Modifications
• Largest Vehicle Selection From 1937-2010
• Free Shipping On Orders To The Continental US
• Machined In Our Facility In The USA!

 

Thanks guys.

I've purchased Napa parts before and just looked at their site. I also have one close by. But there are a bunch of options; premium, ultra premium, and high performance.

Any idea on what to get?

 

ultra sounds good go talk to them ask what is the closet to ford quality

 

Just did my fronts with all Napa about 2 months ago. They told me not to spend a lot on their rotors (the Napa guy told me) so the rotors were $55 each. I went with ceramic pads $100 for the set. Don't know exactly what they were called but the dollar figure should get you the right ones. Front end wobble is gone and the dust has gone down tremendously. I have been real happy with mine. I will tell you i could not get the anti-rattle springs back on due to the thickness of the new rotors (they were actually hitting the wheels) so they are in the toolbox for now. Nothing tricky about it really (aside from the springs, had to pull the wheels again) but make sure you open the reservoir and pry against with a screwdriver first to open the calipers all the way. It was tricky to get a c-clamp in there. Of course watch for the fluid to overflow when you do this also. Have fun, Mike.

 

First off, I would avoid Ford brake parts like the plague. I've never had anything but bad luck with ford's brakes and brake service. Over priced cheap "brake" parts, IMHO.

NAPA is a great choice. At 102K, replace / repack everything that appears to be problematic while you are there.

Tim

 

Does anything need to be repacked/replaced at 100K miles or is this on an as-needed basis? How about the emergency brake. Is there a separate pad for that or just an adjustment?

It looks like I'll probably go with Napa and ask them about the rotors. Is it worth getting ceramics on the rear?

Thanks again.

 

there isn't anything for you to repack on your truck, the rear does have e-brake shoes, they rarely need to be replaced

 

These trucks don't have wheel bearings?

Tim

 

yes they do have wheel bearings, however they are not the type that you can repack, they are the type that comes as on piece and is sealed for life

 

They come as a complete assembly called a hub.

 

Ok, thanks for the explaination. I have no experience with this type of a 4x4 system.

Tim

 

Don't know how much money you have to spend, but I contacted brakeperformance.com today about a full brake replacement package deal. They offered me the premium dimpled/slotted rotors with free upgrade to ceramic pads and $10 off each set for a total of $382.14. Bonus is the rotors have lifetime warranty against warping. I'm searching all over the net for complaints about them and haven't really found anything to turn me off, so I think I'll be ordering the set by the end of the week.

 

Front and rear? Four rotors and two sets of pads?

Did you notice the premium semi-metallics seem to outperform the ceramics in fade resistance and friction?