🔧 Front Brake Pads - Pad Replacement

Your front brake pads wear down over time and need to be replaced before they damage the rotors. On your F-150, this is a straightforward front-end brake job, but you must support the truck safely and reset the caliper piston before installing the new pads.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on a flat, level surface and chock the rear wheels.
• Lift the truck with a floor jack and support it with jack stands before removing any wheel.
• Do not press the brake pedal with a caliper removed.
• Use brake cleaner only in a well-ventilated area and avoid breathing dust.
• Keep grease off the rotor and brake friction surfaces.
• 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 socket
• Ratchet
• Breaker bar
• 13mm socket
• Torque wrench
• C-clamp
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Bungee cord or mechanic's hook
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner
• Shop towels
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front brake pad set - Qty: 1
• Brake pad hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake 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.
• Loosen the front lug nuts slightly before lifting the truck.
• Chock the rear wheels so the truck cannot roll.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and secure the truck

• Use a floor jack to lift the front of the truck at the proper front jacking point.
• Place jack stands under the frame and lower the truck onto them.
• Remove the front wheels with a 21mm socket.

Step 2: Remove the caliper

• Use a 13mm 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; do not let it hang by the hose.

Step 3: Remove the old pads

• Slide the old brake pads out of the caliper bracket.
• Remove the pad clips and hardware from the bracket.
• Use a wire brush to clean rust from the bracket contact points.
• Spray the area with brake cleaner and wipe it clean with shop towels.

Step 4: Compress the caliper piston

• Use a C-clamp to slowly push the caliper piston all the way back in.
• Put an old pad against the piston so the clamp presses evenly.
• Go slowly to avoid damaging the seal.

Step 5: Install the new hardware and pads

• Install the new pad clips from the brake pad hardware kit.
• Apply a thin layer of brake grease to the pad ears and clip contact points.
• Install the new brake pads into the bracket.

Step 6: Reinstall the caliper

• Lower the caliper over the new pads.
• Install the slide pin bolts with a 13mm socket.
• Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).

Step 7: Reinstall the wheel

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

Step 8: Repeat on the other side

• Replace the pads on the opposite side using the same steps.
• Always replace front pads in pairs.

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✅ After Repair

• Press the brake pedal several times before moving the truck.
• Check brake fluid level in the master cylinder.
• Test the brakes at low speed first.
• Listen for rubbing or clunking noises.
• Expect the brakes to feel firm after the pistons and pads seat.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $250-$450 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $60-$140 (parts only)

You Save: $190-$310 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1-2 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.