brake job

I have an 02 f150 and need to change the front pads and probably the rotors, as hard as this may be to believe, I’ve never done it. I’m beginning to feel pulsating when the brakes are lightly applied, making me think the rotors have some warping, can someone with little mechanical skills do this and not expect any “real” problems, or is it better to take it in to a shop? I’m in Hastings side job anyone?

Drifter
It is a pretty straight forward job. Anyone with some mechanical skills can get it done. Google the directions. I do it all the time. Any problems give me a call 651-249-4133
Maybe 1 hour job.

You can do it.
1. remove the caliper, usually 2 bolts sometimes these bolts are some type of allen wrench type bolt, not always)not sure about the fords.. make sure you have the correct wrench for this.
2. remove pads. Next you have to compress the caliper piston. take one of your old pads, lay it across the piston, now take a c-clamp and compress. make sure you compress straight and slow.
3. apply anti squeek lube to the back of each pad and put her back together.

I would recommend buying the good NAPA rotors.

If it’s like my 01 with the aluminum wheels, the hardest part might be getting the wheels off.

If they are the alum ones, when you do get them off, apply some anti seize to the back of the wheel and where it mates up to the hub.

Clean is key here with brakes, also scuff up the rotor and clean with brake clean.

Do one at a time so you can go look at one for reference.
maybe take digital pictures as you go, after the first time or two it’s pretty easy, its the first time ya got to get through..:)

Have fun

Al

If your doing rotors also, some of the directions given here, cut it short. Depending on how rusted they are, you may need a BFH to get the rotors off, start by hitting all the way around the rotor, 1st tapping and if needed, whacking !!! Not sure on FORD, but the best rotors and pads for a Dodge, are made by Dodge…. see it every day Good luck Sounds like you have a great offer of help too in the area, I am sure you can get it done

big G

its a pretty straight forward job ford should have a star bolt on them i beleive, also when you get the calipers off make sure you compress them gently I stress gently with a c- clamp and the old brake pad. i have done brakes on almost every make out there. give me a call if you need a hand 612-499-2045

open thee bleeder screw while compressing the piston in the caliper. not doing so can cause seals to blow out in your master cylinder. then bleed brakes when done puting pads on!

No star bolts on Any ford’s I’ve ever done…. (IIRC that’s a GM thing) I’ve done quite a few. Super easy nothing special to look forward to.

On the topic of rotors now….. First off usually not too spendy to replace, but I’m not a believer in rotor’s warping, not that it isn’t feasible. What I believe the case is 99% of the time, is built of brake pad dust baked on the rotor, generally you see this in cars/trucks that drive a lot of traffic and stoplights where a car sits with hot rotors and the brake dust cooks onto the pad, in which it only takes a very, very small amount tell start feeling the pulse. This can be undone rather easy, though the process is a little too intense for some…. I take the car/truck out in the country find a nice empty stretch of road, bring her up to 55 (maybe 70 ) and brake pedal to the floor… repeat 4 times or so. Since I learned of this method I’ve never had a pulse that didn’t go away. Ran it across a couple other people and thus far, no one has said it didn’t work for them.

I got this info and idea straight from a guy that sell rotors for a living, also races on weekends, a bit skeptical at first, but it’s worked for me.

All that said and done, not to say there isn’t other very good and valid reasons to replace a rotors, turning a rotor also take care of the issue, “IF” you can turn it, generally speaking I’ve been able to get new ones for not a whole lot more.

And yeah if you can take the wheel and a couple bolts off, yeah you can do it.

I am gonna have to try that quick stop to get rid of pulsation…??? I have seen build up of dust on rotors and pads, typically it causes squeaking and we get rid of by driving 2 footed about 50mph and hold the brake at 10%… this gets the dust hot and “scrubs” it off the mated surfaces. Have seen ALOT of warped rotors, next one I am gonna try the quick stop…hey if it works, it works !!!

big G

hey guys, thanks for all the info and confidence I can do this, picked up parts today and will be giving it a shot later this week.