🔧 Front Brake Pads & Rotors - Replacement

Replacing the front pads and rotors restores stopping power, reduces brake noise, and fixes pulsation from worn or warped rotors. On your F-150, the front calipers and brackets are straightforward to service, but the large truck brakes are heavy, so support everything securely.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-4 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on a level surface and chock the rear wheels before lifting the front.
• Use jack stands under the frame. Do not rely on the floor jack alone.
• Brake dust can be harmful. Do not blow it off with compressed air.
• Use only brake cleaner on brake parts. Keep grease and oil off pads and rotors.
• Front calipers are heavy. Support them so the brake hose is not stretched.
• No battery disconnect is required for this repair.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated for truck weight)
• Wheel chocks
• 21mm socket
• 18mm socket
• 13mm socket
• Ratchet
• Breaker bar
• Torque wrench
• Bungee cord or mechanic's hook
• Brake caliper compression tool (specialty)
• Flat blade screwdriver
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner
• Shop rags
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front brake pad set - Qty: 1 set
• Front brake rotors - Qty: 2
• Brake hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1 can

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and chock the rear wheels.
• Loosen the front lug nuts slightly before lifting the truck.
• If the truck has brake pad wear sensors or clips, note their routing before removal.
• Do one side at a time so the other side can be used as a reference.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the front wheels

• Use a 21mm socket and breaker bar to loosen the front lug nuts 1/2 turn.
• Do not remove them yet.

Step 2: Lift and support the truck

• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to raise the front of the truck by the frame.
• Place jack stands (rated for truck weight) under the frame and lower the truck onto them.
• Remove the front wheels with the 21mm socket.

Step 3: Remove the caliper

• Use an 18mm socket to remove the caliper slide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket.
• Hang the caliper with a bungee cord or mechanic's hook. Never let it hang by the hose.

Step 4: Remove the brake pads and bracket

• Remove the front brake pads from the bracket by hand.
• Use an 18mm socket to remove the caliper bracket bolts.
• Remove the bracket from the knuckle.

Step 5: Remove the rotor

• Remove the rotor retaining screw if equipped using a flat blade screwdriver.
• Pull the rotor off the hub.
• If stuck, tap the hat area lightly from behind and use a flat blade screwdriver through the access holes to help break it free.

Step 6: Clean the hub and prep the new rotor

• Use a wire brush to clean rust from the hub face.
• Spray the hub and new rotor with brake cleaner and wipe dry with shop rags.
• Clean hub, clean rotor face.

Step 7: Install the new rotor and bracket

• Install the new rotor on the hub.
• Reinstall the caliper bracket using an 18mm socket.
• Torque to 184 Nm (136 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Install the new pads

• Install the new pad hardware from the kit if included.
• Apply a thin film of brake lubricant only on pad contact points if supplied with the hardware kit; keep it off friction material.
• Install the new brake pads into the bracket.

Step 9: Compress and reinstall the caliper

• Use a brake caliper compression tool (specialty) to push the caliper piston fully back.
• Install the caliper over the new pads.
• Reinstall the slide pin bolts with an 18mm socket.
• Torque to 32 Nm (24 ft-lbs).

Step 10: Reinstall the wheel

• Put the wheel back on and start the lug nuts by hand.
• Snug them with a 21mm socket.
• Lower the truck and torque the lug nuts in a star pattern to 204 Nm (150 ft-lbs).

Step 11: Repeat on the other side

• Perform the same steps on the opposite front brake assembly.
• Always replace rotors in pairs.

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✅ After Repair

• Before driving, pump the brake pedal several times until it feels firm.
• Check brake fluid level in the master cylinder and top off if needed.
• Test the brakes at low speed in a safe area first.
• For the first 200 miles, avoid hard stops unless needed for safety.
• If you feel vibration, recheck lug nut torque and pad seating.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $450-$850 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $180-$350 (parts only)

You Save: $270-$500 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-4 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.