🔧 Focus - Front Brake Pad & Rotor Replacement

This repair replaces the front brake pads and front brake rotors on your Focus. The pads are the friction material that squeeze the rotor, and the rotor is the round metal disc the wheel bolts to.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a flat, solid surface only. Never rely on a jack alone.
• ⚠️ Use jack stands before putting any part of your body near the wheel well.
• ⚠️ Brake dust can be harmful. Do not blow it with compressed air.
• ⚠️ The brake pedal will feel soft after installation until you pump it several times.
• ⚠️ Do one side at a time so the other side can be used as a reference.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this front brake job.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 19mm lug nut socket
• 13mm socket
• 15mm socket
• Ratchet wrench 3/8-inch drive
• Breaker bar 1/2-inch drive
• Torque wrench 1/2-inch drive
• Torque wrench 3/8-inch drive
• Flathead screwdriver medium
• Brake caliper piston compressor tool (specialty)
• Brake caliper hanger hook (specialty)
• Wire brush
• Brake parts cleaning spray
• Shop towels
• Floor jack rated 2-ton minimum
• Jack stands rated 2-ton minimum
• Wheel chocks
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses

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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
• Front brake pad hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper slide pin grease - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1-2 cans

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Focus on level ground and place the transmission in 1st gear.
• Set the parking brake and place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Open the hood and check the brake fluid reservoir. If it is completely full, remove a small amount with a clean suction tool before compressing the caliper piston.
• A brake caliper is the clamp that squeezes the brake pads against the rotor.
• A caliper piston is the round part inside the caliper that pushes the inner brake pad.
• Do not press the brake pedal while the caliper is removed.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Front Lug Nuts

• Use a 19mm lug nut socket and breaker bar 1/2-inch drive to loosen the front lug nuts about 1/2 turn.
• Do not fully remove the lug nuts while the tires are still on the ground.
• Tip: Break them loose before lifting.

Step 2: Raise and Support the Front of the Vehicle

• Use a floor jack rated 2-ton minimum to lift the front of your Focus at the approved front jacking point.
• Place jack stands rated 2-ton minimum under the proper front support points.
• Gently lower the vehicle onto the jack stands.
• Keep the floor jack lightly touching as backup, but do not rely on it alone.

Step 3: Remove the Front Wheels

• Use the 19mm lug nut socket and ratchet wrench 3/8-inch drive to remove the loosened lug nuts.
• Remove both front wheels and set them flat under the vehicle edge as an extra safety backup.

Step 4: Inspect the Brake Assembly

• Put on safety glasses and nitrile gloves.
• Look at how the pads, clips, and caliper sit before removing anything.
• Use your phone to take a photo for reference.
• Tip: Photos prevent reassembly mistakes.

Step 5: Remove the Caliper Slide Pin Bolts

• Use a 13mm socket and ratchet wrench 3/8-inch drive to remove the two caliper slide pin bolts.
• Slide pins are small guide pins that let the caliper move evenly as the brakes apply.
• If the slide pin spins while loosening, hold the pin with an appropriate wrench and remove the bolt with the 13mm socket.

Step 6: Remove and Support the Caliper

• Use a flathead screwdriver medium to gently pry the caliper away from the rotor if it is snug.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket.
• Hang the caliper from the strut spring using a brake caliper hanger hook.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the rubber brake hose.

Step 7: Remove the Old Brake Pads

• Pull the old inner and outer brake pads out of the caliper bracket by hand.
• If they are stuck, use a flathead screwdriver medium to gently pry them free.
• Note which pad was inner and which was outer.

Step 8: Remove the Caliper Bracket

• Use a 15mm socket and breaker bar 1/2-inch drive to remove the two caliper bracket bolts.
• The caliper bracket is the heavy metal support that holds the brake pads around the rotor.
• Remove the bracket and set it on a clean surface.

Step 9: Remove the Old Rotor

• Pull the rotor straight off the wheel hub by hand.
• If the rotor is stuck from rust, tap around the rotor hat carefully with a suitable shop mallet if available.
• Do not hit the wheel studs with metal tools.
• Use brake parts cleaning spray and shop towels to clean loose dust as needed.

Step 10: Clean the Hub Face

• Use a wire brush to clean rust and debris from the wheel hub face.
• The hub face is the flat surface the rotor sits against.
• Use brake parts cleaning spray and shop towels to wipe it clean.
• This helps prevent brake pedal vibration from rotor wobble.

Step 11: Install the New Rotor

• Clean both sides of the new rotor with brake parts cleaning spray and shop towels.
• Slide the new rotor onto the wheel studs.
• Thread one lug nut on by hand to hold the rotor flat against the hub.

Step 12: Service the Caliper Bracket

• Use a flathead screwdriver medium to remove the old pad hardware clips from the caliper bracket.
• Use a wire brush to clean the pad contact areas on the bracket.
• Install the new front brake pad hardware kit clips by hand.
• Apply a thin layer of brake caliper slide pin grease only where the pad ears contact the clips.
• Do not get grease on the rotor or pad friction material.

Step 13: Reinstall the Caliper Bracket

• Position the caliper bracket over the new rotor.
• Start both bracket bolts by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a 15mm socket and torque wrench 1/2-inch drive to tighten the caliper bracket bolts.
• Torque to 115 Nm (85 ft-lbs)

Step 14: Compress the Caliper Piston

• Place one old brake pad against the caliper piston.
• Use a brake caliper piston compressor tool to slowly push the piston fully back into the caliper.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir while compressing the piston. Stop if fluid is about to overflow.
• Compress slowly to protect the brake hydraulic system.

Step 15: Install the New Brake Pads

• Install the new inner and outer pads into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Make sure the pad ears sit fully in the new hardware clips.
• The friction material must face the rotor.
• Apply a very thin layer of brake caliper slide pin grease to the pad backing contact points only.

Step 16: Reinstall the Caliper

• Remove the caliper from the brake caliper hanger hook.
• Slide the caliper carefully over the new pads.
• Start the slide pin bolts by hand.
• Use a 13mm socket and torque wrench 3/8-inch drive to tighten the slide pin bolts.
• Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs)

Step 17: Repeat on the Other Front Side

• Repeat Steps 5 through 16 on the opposite front brake assembly.
• Use the same tools and torque specs.
• Always replace front pads and rotors in pairs.

Step 18: Reinstall the Wheels

• Remove the temporary lug nut holding each rotor.
• Install the wheels by hand.
• Start all lug nuts by hand before tightening.
• Use a 19mm lug nut socket and ratchet wrench 3/8-inch drive to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.

Step 19: Lower the Vehicle and Torque the Lug Nuts

• Use the floor jack rated 2-ton minimum to lift the vehicle slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands rated 2-ton minimum.
• Lower the vehicle until the tires just touch the ground.
• Use a 19mm lug nut socket and torque wrench 1/2-inch drive to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 135 Nm (100 ft-lbs)
• Fully lower the vehicle after torquing.

Step 20: Pump the Brake Pedal

• Sit in the driver seat and press the brake pedal slowly several times.
• The pedal will move low at first, then become firm.
• Do not drive until the pedal feels firm.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Check the brake fluid level and top off only if needed with the correct brake fluid listed on the reservoir cap.
• ✅ Start your Focus and press the brake pedal again. Confirm it feels firm.
• ✅ Roll forward slowly in a safe area and test the brakes at low speed.
• ✅ Bed in the new pads and rotors: make 8-10 moderate stops from about 35 mph to 10 mph, allowing cooling time between stops.
• ✅ Avoid hard panic stops for the first 200 miles unless needed for safety.
• ✅ Recheck the lug nut torque after 25-50 miles.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $350-$650 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $120-$280 (parts only)

You Save: $230-$370 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-2.0 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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