🔧 Front Brakes and Rotors - Replacement

Your front brake pads and rotors wear together, so replacing both at the same time gives the best pedal feel and stopping performance. On your Stinger, this job is straightforward if you keep everything clean and torque the fasteners correctly.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on a flat surface and chock the rear wheels.
• Use jack stands; never rely on the floor jack alone.
• Let the brakes cool before starting. Rotors can be very hot.
• Do not press the brake pedal with a caliper removed.
• If brake fluid is near the top of the reservoir, remove a little before pushing the pistons back.
• 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
• 19mm socket
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• Ratchet
• Breaker bar
• Torque wrench
• Brake caliper compression tool (specialty)
• Flat blade screwdriver
• Rubber mallet
• Wire brush
• Bungee cord or hook
• Brake cleaner
• Shop towels
• 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 pad grease - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Break the front lug nuts loose before lifting the car.
• Lift the front and support it securely on jack stands.
• Keep the ignition off while the caliper is removed.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove the front wheel

• Use a 19mm socket and breaker bar to loosen the lug nuts, then remove the wheel.
• Set the wheel aside flat so it cannot roll.

Step 2: Remove the caliper

• Use a 14mm socket to remove the caliper guide pins.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket.
• Hang the caliper with a bungee cord or hook so the brake hose is not stretched.

Step 3: Remove the old pads and hardware

• Slide the brake pads out of the bracket.
• Remove the pad clips and hardware.
• Use a flat blade screwdriver if the pads are stuck.

Step 4: Remove the caliper bracket

• Use a 17mm socket to remove the caliper bracket bolts.
• Remove the bracket from the knuckle.
• Torque on install: 107 Nm (79 ft-lbs)

Step 5: Remove the rotor

• If the rotor retaining screw is present, remove it with a Phillips screwdriver or appropriate bit.
• Pull the rotor off the hub.
• If it is stuck, tap it with a rubber mallet from the back side.
• Use a wire brush to clean the hub face until it is smooth and rust-free.

Step 6: Install the new rotor

• Clean the new rotor with brake cleaner to remove shipping oil.
• Install the rotor on the hub.
• Install the rotor screw if equipped.
• Keep the hub perfectly clean.

Step 7: Reinstall the caliper bracket

• Position the bracket over the rotor.
• Use a 17mm socket to install the bracket bolts.
• Torque to 107 Nm (79 ft-lbs)

Step 8: Install the new pads

• Install the new hardware clips from the brake hardware kit.
• Apply a thin layer of brake pad grease to the pad ears and contact points only.
• Install the new pads into the bracket.
• Do not get grease on the friction material.

Step 9: Compress the caliper piston

• Use a brake caliper compression tool (specialty) to push the piston fully back.
• Move slowly and watch the brake fluid reservoir.
• If fluid rises too high, remove a small amount with a clean suction tool before continuing.

Step 10: Reinstall the caliper

• Slide the caliper over the new pads and rotor.
• Install the guide pins with a 14mm socket.
• Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs)

Step 11: Reinstall the wheel

• Mount the wheel and hand-tighten the lug nuts.
• Lower the vehicle and use a 19mm socket with a torque wrench.
• Torque to 107 Nm (79 ft-lbs)

Step 12: Repeat on the other side

• Replace the front brakes and rotors on both sides together.
• This keeps braking balanced and even.

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✅ After Repair

• Press the brake pedal slowly until it feels firm.
• Check brake fluid level and top off if needed.
• Start the engine and confirm the brake warning light is off.
• Test the brakes at low speed in a safe area first.
• Bed in the new pads with several gentle stops. Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles.

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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?

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