🔧 Front Brake Pads - Replacement

Replacing the front brake pads on your Explorer means removing the front caliper, swapping the pads, and reinstalling everything with the correct torque. It’s a straightforward job if you work carefully and keep brake parts clean.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.5-2.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on level ground and chock the rear wheels.
• Use jack stands. Never rely on a jack alone.
• Brake dust can be harmful. Do not blow it off with compressed air.
• Do not press the brake pedal with a caliper removed.
• If your Explorer has an electronic parking brake, make sure it is fully released before starting.
• Keep grease, oil, and brake fluid off the pad and rotor surfaces.

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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 socket
• 13mm socket
• Ratchet
• Breaker bar
• Torque wrench
• Brake caliper compression tool (specialty)
• Bungee cord or hanger
• Flat blade screwdriver
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner
• 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 caliper grease - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on a flat surface and set the parking brake.
• Put the transmission in Park.
• Loosen the front wheel lug nuts before lifting the vehicle.
• If the parking brake is electronic, release it before raising the vehicle.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the front wheels

• Use a 21mm socket and breaker bar to loosen the front lug nuts 1/2 turn.
• Do not remove them yet.

Step 2: Raise and support the vehicle

• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the front of the Explorer.
• Set the vehicle securely on jack stands.
• Remove the front wheels with the 21mm socket.

Step 3: Remove the brake caliper

• Use a 13mm socket to remove the caliper slide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the rotor carefully.
• Hang the caliper with a bungee cord or hanger. Do not let it hang by the brake hose.

Step 4: Remove the old pads and hardware

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

Step 5: Inspect and clean

• Use a wire brush to clean rust from the caliper bracket contact points.
• Spray the area with brake cleaner and let it dry.
• Check the rotor for deep grooves, heavy rust, or cracks.
• Replace rotors if they are badly worn.

Step 6: Compress the caliper piston

• Use a brake caliper compression tool (specialty) to push the piston back into the caliper slowly.
• Watch the brake fluid level in the master cylinder if needed.
• Stop if fluid starts to overflow.

Step 7: Install the new hardware and pads

• Install the new pad clips from the brake pad hardware kit.
• Apply a thin layer of brake caliper grease to the pad contact points and slide surfaces.
• Install the new front brake pads in the bracket.
• Make sure the pad friction material faces the rotor.

Step 8: Reinstall the caliper

• Slide the caliper back over the new pads.
• Install the slide pin bolts by hand first.
• Use a 13mm socket and torque wrench to tighten the bolts to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).

Step 9: Reinstall the wheel

• Install the wheel and hand-tighten the lug nuts.
• Lower the Explorer to the ground.
• Use a 21mm socket and torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts to 135 Nm (100 ft-lbs).

Step 10: Pump and test the brakes

• Press the brake pedal several times until it feels firm.
• This seats the caliper piston against the new pads.

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✅ After Repair

• Check brake fluid level and top off only if needed.
• Test the brakes at low speed in a safe area first.
• Listen for rubbing, clicking, or squealing noises.
• Recheck lug nut torque after a short drive.
• New brake pads may need a short break-in period for best performance.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $75-$180 (parts only)

You Save: $175-$270 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-2.5 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.