🔧 Front Brake Pads - Replacement

Replacing the front brake pads on your Explorer means removing the front calipers, swapping the pads, and reinstalling everything with the correct torque. It’s a straightforward job for a first-time DIYer if you work one side at a time and keep the brake hose from twisting.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 1.5-3 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Brake dust can be harmful. Do not blow it off with compressed air.
• Use jack stands. Never rely on a jack alone.
• Do not press the brake pedal with a caliper removed.
• Keep brake fluid off painted surfaces. Wipe spills immediately.
• No battery disconnect is required for this repair.
• If the brake pedal feels soft after service, do not drive until the pedal is firm.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands
• Wheel chocks
• 21mm lug wrench or socket
• 10mm socket
• 13mm socket
• Ratchet
• Breaker bar
• Torque wrench
• Brake caliper compression tool (specialty)
• Flat trim tool or small pry bar
• 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
• Brake hardware clips - Qty: 1 set
• Brake grease - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Put the transmission in Park and chock the rear wheels.
• Loosen the front lug nuts slightly before lifting the vehicle.
• Work on one side at a time so you can use the other side as a reference.
• If the brake fluid reservoir is very full, remove a small amount before compressing the caliper pistons.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise the front of the vehicle

• Use the floor jack to lift the front of your Explorer at the proper front jacking point.
• Support it securely with jack stands.
• Remove the front wheel using the 21mm lug wrench or socket.

Step 2: Remove the caliper

• Use the 13mm socket and ratchet to remove the caliper slide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket carefully.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the brake hose.
• Hang the caliper with a hook or support it on a box if needed.

Step 3: Remove the old pads and hardware

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

Step 4: Compress the caliper piston

• Use the brake caliper compression tool (specialty) to slowly push the piston back into the caliper.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir while compressing the piston.
• Go slow to avoid overfilling the reservoir.

Step 5: Install the new hardware and pads

• Install the new pad clips into the caliper bracket.
• Apply a thin layer of brake grease to the pad contact points and clip ears only.
• Install the new brake pads into the bracket.
• Make sure the pads sit fully and move freely in the hardware.

Step 6: Reinstall the caliper

• Slide the caliper back over the new pads.
• Install the caliper slide pin bolts using the 13mm socket and ratchet.
• Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs).

Step 7: Reinstall the wheel

• Put the wheel back on and hand-tighten the lug nuts.
• Lower the vehicle with the floor jack.
• Use the 21mm lug wrench or socket and torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 204 Nm (150 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Repeat on the other side

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

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✅ After Repair

• Press the brake pedal several times before driving until it feels firm.
• Check the brake fluid level and top off only if needed.
• Test the brakes at low speed in a safe area first.
• Listen for rubbing or clicking that could mean a pad is not seated correctly.
• For the first 200 miles, avoid hard braking when possible to help the new pads bed in.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $70-$160 (parts only)

You Save: $180-$290 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.