🔧 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 braking performance. On your F-150, this is a straightforward front-end brake job, but you need to handle the caliper correctly so the brake hose is not stressed.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Support the truck securely on jack stands before removing any wheels.
• Never let the brake caliper hang by the brake hose.
• Front brakes create brake dust; do not blow it off with compressed air.
• Use care around hot brake parts if the truck was recently driven.
• 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
• 18mm socket
• 13mm socket
• Ratchet
• Breaker bar
• Torque wrench
• Bungee cord or caliper hanger
• Brake caliper compression tool (specialty)
• Rubber mallet
• Wire brush
• 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 caliper 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.
• Use wheel chocks on the rear wheels.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and remove the wheel

• Use the floor jack to lift the front of the truck at a safe lift point.
• Place it on jack stands and remove the wheel with a 21mm socket.
• Keep the lug nuts together.

Step 2: Remove the caliper

• Use a 13mm socket to remove the caliper slide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and hang it with a bungee cord or caliper hanger.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the hose.
• Torque on reassembly: 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs) for the caliper slide pin bolts.

Step 3: Remove the brake pads and hardware

• Remove the inner and outer brake pads from the caliper bracket.
• Remove any pad clips or hardware from the bracket.
• Use a wire brush to clean rust from the pad contact points.
• Clean bracket slides help the pads move freely.

Step 4: Remove the caliper bracket

• Use an 18mm socket and breaker bar to remove the caliper bracket bolts.
• Remove the bracket from the knuckle.
• Torque on reassembly: 221 Nm (163 ft-lbs) for the caliper bracket bolts.

Step 5: Remove the rotor

• Pull the rotor straight off the hub.
• If it is stuck, tap between the lug studs with a rubber mallet.
• Clean the hub face with a wire brush and brake cleaner.
• A clean hub prevents rotor runout.

Step 6: Install the new rotor

• Spray the new rotor with brake cleaner and wipe it dry.
• Install the rotor onto the hub.
• If the rotor has a retaining screw, remove it with the correct driver before installation or reuse the screw if equipped.

Step 7: Reinstall the caliper bracket

• Place the bracket back on the knuckle.
• Install and tighten the bolts with the 18mm socket.
• Torque to 221 Nm (163 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Install the new pads and hardware

• Install the new pad clips from the hardware kit.
• Apply a thin layer of brake caliper grease to the pad ears and contact points.
• Install the new inner and outer pads.

Step 9: Compress the caliper and reinstall it

• Use the brake caliper compression tool to push the caliper piston fully back.
• Slide the caliper over the new pads and bracket.
• Install the slide pin bolts with the 13mm socket.
• Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).

Step 10: Reinstall the wheel

• Install the wheel and hand-start the lug nuts.
• Lower the truck and torque the lug nuts with a torque wrench in a star pattern.
• Torque to 204 Nm (150 ft-lbs).

Step 11: Repeat on the other side

• Replace the front brakes and rotors on the opposite side too.
• Brake parts should be replaced in pairs.

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✅ After Repair

• Pump the brake pedal several times before moving the truck.
• Check that the pedal feels firm.
• Start with a slow test drive in a safe area.
• Listen for any scraping or clicking sounds.
• Seat the new pads with several gentle stops before hard braking.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $500-$900 (parts + labor)

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

You Save: $320-$550 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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