Front Caliper Removal Help..
 

My 2008 needs new front brakes. The front caliper has what looks like hex bolts that hold it on. Does anyone know the exact size tool I need?

I believe its a 9mm

It is 9mm. Thank you. Got the brakes and rotors on today. Original rotors have a ton of material on them, even after 135K miles.

Where did you buy your rotors?

Amazon. Raybestos heavy duty. They were about $50 ea, free 2 day shipping with prime. Heavy suckers.

I have to replace my rotors soon. How did you get the two large caliper bracket bolts off? I can't seem to get enough leverage to break them free. Also, what are the torque specs for those bolts? I think I read somewhere that they're around 135 foot pounds; does that seem right?

Large ratchet with hex driver. Took a bit but they came off. Try PB Blaster if that doesn't work.

Not sure on the torq settings. Hard.

Hex drive? I'm not referring to the two small 9mm hex head bolts that secure the caliper to the caliper bracket, but rather the two large 18mm bolts that hold the caliper bracket to the hub.

I'll try the PB blaster over the weekend.

This project is on my radar for the upcoming weeks.
Ive not bought the rotors yet but do they require the bearings to be moved to the new ones? Or do they just slip over a hub.
Mine is 2wd.

No need to work on bearings. Just remove the old rotor and slip the new one on. It'll slide over the lugs and onto the hub. Reattach caliper bracket, then caliper. Bleed if necessary. Should be a fairly painless process except for the removal of the two 18mm caliper bracket bolts and the rotor itself if rusted to the hub.

I have a long breaker bar but use the two wrench method often :-drink

http://i882.photobucket.com/albums/a...psf47e87ef.jpg

Thanks for the tip on the two wrench method. I'll give that a try. I tried getting my 18" long 1/2" drive breaker in there and I just couldn't get a comfortable grip to really torque them off.

I'll also hit the bolts with some PB blaster before I attempt again.

Berry just to clarify, you got 135K out of your brakes? How hard were the old rotors to get off?

Ford uses a tread lock (blue) on those caliper mounting bolts according to brake jobs I've done on my other 2006 and 2007 Ford cars (Mustang and Crown Vic). You could try heating the bolts a bit to loosen the grip of the threadlock. For the cars, I've been able to get them loose with a normal 1/2 drive breaker bar but I have a length of pipe that fits over the bar when necessary to extend its length.

For front brakes, it is helpful to have both front wheels off the ground and then turn the steering wheel to the right or left to get a better angle at those bolts.

When those disc brake caliper brackets bolts are too tight for a normal wrench I use a 4 pound hammer on the wrench. Works good and saves knuckles if the wrench slips.


A snipe works good too but sometimes there is not enough room.


Richard