🔧 Front Brakes & Rotors - Replacement

Your front brake pads and rotors wear together, so replacing both at the same time gives you a smoother pedal feel and better stopping power. On your F-150, this job is straightforward if you work one side at a time and keep the caliper supported so the hose is never stretched.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-3 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on a flat surface and chock the rear wheels before lifting the front.
• Use jack stands; never rely on the floor jack alone.
• Do not let the brake caliper hang by the brake hose.
• Brake dust can be harmful; wear safety glasses and gloves.
• If a caliper piston is hard to compress, stop and inspect the caliper before forcing it.
• 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 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• 21mm lug wrench or socket
• Ratchet
• 15mm socket
• 18mm socket
• Torque wrench
• Brake caliper compression tool (specialty)
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner
• Bungee cord or mechanic's wire
• 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
• Front brake rotor - Qty: 2
• Brake hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper slide pin grease - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1

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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.
• Raise the front and support it securely on jack stands.
• Replace brakes in pairs on both front wheels.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove the front wheel

• Use the 21mm lug wrench or socket to loosen and remove the lug nuts.
• Remove the wheel and set it aside.
• Keep the lug nuts together.

Step 2: Remove the caliper

• Use the 15mm socket and ratchet to remove the caliper slide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket.
• Support it with a bungee cord or mechanic's wire; do not let it hang.
• Torque on reassembly: 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs)

Step 3: Remove the brake pads and hardware

• Remove the old pads from the caliper bracket.
• Use a flat-blade screwdriver if needed to gently pry the pad ears loose.
• Remove the pad clips and hardware from the bracket.

Step 4: Remove the caliper bracket

• Use the 18mm socket and ratchet to remove the caliper bracket bolts.
• Remove the bracket from the steering knuckle.
• Torque on reassembly: 200 Nm (148 ft-lbs)

Step 5: Remove the rotor

• Pull the rotor straight off the hub.
• If it is stuck, tap the hat area lightly from behind with a soft mallet or strike the rotor edge carefully with a dead-blow hammer.
• Use a wire brush to clean rust from the hub face.
• A clean hub helps prevent brake pulsation.

Step 6: Install the new rotor

• Spray the new rotor with brake cleaner and wipe it clean.
• Install the rotor onto the hub.
• If the rotor has a retaining screw, reinstall it and tighten it snugly.

Step 7: Reinstall the caliper bracket and hardware

• Install the caliper bracket with the 18mm socket.
• Torque to 200 Nm (148 ft-lbs)
• Install the new pad clips and hardware from the brake kit.

Step 8: Install the new pads

• Apply a thin layer of brake caliper slide pin grease to the pad contact points and slide surfaces only.
• Install the new pads into the bracket.
• Do not get grease on the friction material.

Step 9: Compress the caliper piston and reinstall the caliper

• Use the brake caliper compression tool (specialty) to fully retract the piston.
• Set the caliper over the new pads.
• Install the caliper slide pin bolts with the 15mm socket.
• Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs)

Step 10: Reinstall the wheel

• Install the wheel and hand-tighten the lug nuts.
• Lower the truck to the ground.
• Use the 21mm lug wrench or socket to torque the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 204 Nm (150 ft-lbs)

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✅ After Repair

• Before moving the truck, pump the brake pedal until it becomes firm.
• Check brake fluid level in the master cylinder.
• Test brake operation at low speed first.
• Listen for any rubbing, clicking, or grinding.
• Bed the new pads and rotors with several gentle stops, then moderate stops.

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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 2-3 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.