How to Replace Front Disc Brakes in a Ford Explorer

Your 2005 Ford Explorer has ample passenger room and cargo space. As a result you can transport family and friends and their equipment all over town. You do however need to be able to stop when the time comes, so you'll need to replace the front disc brakes on your Ford Explorer when necessary.

Things You'll Need

• Silicone grease
• Turkey baster, syringe or similar tool
• Mechanic's wire
• Torque wrench
• Brake pads
• Brake fluid

Instructions

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable. Using a syringe, turkey baster or similar tool, drain two thirds of the brake fluid from the master cylinder. Raise the vehicle and secure it on jackstands. Remove the wheel.

2. Tighten the clamp to bottom the caliper pistons in their bores. Use an 8-inch C-clamp placed on the caliper to do this. Remove the clamp. Remove the 2 calipe-slide pin bolts. Lift the caliper from the anchor plate. Retain as much of the original caliper-slide pin grease as possible.

3. Suspend the caliper from the frame using mechanic's wire. Avoid allowing the caliper to dangle or hang from the brake line or the brake line will be damaged. Remove the brake pads and anti-rattle clips from the anchor.

4. Remove the shims from the brake pads. They can be reused when you put the new pads on. Reinstall the anti-rattle clips. Install the new brake pads, attaching them to the anchor plate.

5. Install the caliper. Add brake fluid to the master cylinder. Bleed the brakes. Reinstall the wheel and secure the lug nuts. Once the vehicle has been lowered to the ground use a torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts to 100-ft. lbs.

6. Reconnect the negative battery cable to the battery. Start the engine and pump the brakes 3 to 4 times to seat the brake pads. Reinstall the wheels. Test drive the vehicle at slow to moderate speeds to ensure that the maintenance was performed correctly.

Tips & Warnings

• Visit your local auto parts supply store to purchase the tools and supplies needed to perform this maintenance. Be prepared to provide the year, make and model when the store employee asks for this information.