🔧 Front Brake Pads & Rotors - Replacement

The front brake pads and rotors on your Explorer wear together, so replacing both at the same time gives the smoothest braking and helps prevent noise and vibration. This job is very doable for a beginner if you take your time and keep everything clean.

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. Never rely on a jack alone.
• Brake parts can be hot after driving. Let them cool first.
• Do not press the brake pedal with a caliper removed.
• Brake dust may be present. Use brake cleaner, not compressed air.
• If equipped with a brake pad wear sensor, disconnect it carefully before removing the pads.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (2-ton minimum each)
• Wheel chocks
• 21mm lug wrench or socket
• Ratchet
• Breaker bar
• 15mm socket
• 18mm socket
• Torque wrench
• C-clamp or disc brake piston tool (specialty)
• Bungee cord or mechanic's hook
• Flat blade screwdriver
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner
• 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 rotors - Replace in pairs - 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 and set the parking brake.
• Put the transmission in Park.
• Break the front lug nuts loose before lifting the vehicle.
• Lift the front and support it securely on jack stands.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove the front wheels

• Use a 21mm lug wrench or socket to loosen and remove the front lug nuts.
• Remove both front wheels and set them aside.

Step 2: Remove the caliper

• Use a 15mm socket to remove the caliper guide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket.
• Use a bungee cord or mechanic's hook to support the caliper so the hose is not stretched.

Step 3: Remove the old pads and bracket

• Remove the brake pads from the caliper bracket.
• If the pad clips are rusted or tight, use a flat blade screwdriver to carefully pry them out.
• Use an 18mm socket and ratchet to remove the caliper bracket bolts.
• Torque on reassembly: Torque the caliper bracket bolts to 148 Nm (109 ft-lbs).

Step 4: Remove the rotor

• Pull the rotor off the hub.
• If it is stuck, use a flat blade screwdriver through the access hole or tap the rotor hat gently with a rubber mallet.
• Use a wire brush to clean rust from the hub face.
• Spray the hub with brake cleaner and let it dry.
• Clean hub faces prevent rotor wobble.

Step 5: Install the new rotor

• Clean the new rotor with brake cleaner to remove shipping oil.
• Install the rotor on the hub.
• If the rotor has a retaining screw, install it if present and applicable.

Step 6: Install the caliper bracket and pads

• Reinstall the caliper bracket using the 18mm socket.
• Torque on reassembly: Torque the bracket bolts to 148 Nm (109 ft-lbs).
• Apply a light coat of brake caliper slide pin grease to the slide pins if needed.
• Install the new brake pads and any new hardware clips from the kit.

Step 7: Compress the caliper piston

• Use a C-clamp or disc brake piston tool to slowly push the piston back into the caliper.
• Make sure the old brake fluid in the master cylinder does not overflow.
• Compress slowly to avoid seal damage.

Step 8: Reinstall the caliper

• Place the caliper over the new pads.
• Install the guide pin bolts using the 15mm socket.
• Torque on reassembly: Torque the caliper guide pin bolts to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).

Step 9: Reinstall the wheels

• Put the wheels back on and hand-start the lug nuts.
• Lower the vehicle.
• Use a torque wrench and 21mm socket to torque the lug nuts to 150 Nm (111 ft-lbs).

Step 10: Pump the brake pedal

• Before moving the vehicle, pump the brake pedal several times until it feels firm.
• Check the brake fluid level and top off if needed with the correct fluid.

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✅ After Repair

• Test the brakes at very low speed first.
• Listen for rubbing, clicking, or grinding.
• Check for brake fluid leaks around the caliper.
• For the first 200 miles, avoid hard stops unless needed for safety.
• Bed in the new pads with several moderate stops from road speed.

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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?

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