brake job - DYI ?

[JatZilla]

Hi Everyone. I need to replace the brake pads on my '98 4x4 Explorer. If the rotors are cheap, I'll change them too because the stock rotors look really rusted. Will I need to change the callipers as well?

Is this a DIY job? I've done minor things on my truck and car. Also, what brake pads, rotors etc should I get and from where? How much will this stuff cost me? I don't want anything high-performance, just something stock or better than stock for street-only driving.

TIA!

 

[mrboyle]

You won't need to replace the calipers. As far as what brand to use, any brand name will work (Raybestos, Bendix, NAPA, etc...)

 

[Alec]

Replacing and servicing brakes is actually pretty easy, most of it is just bolts. However, bleeding the brakes can be a bit tricky and this is what most people mess up on. Truckperformance.com has good replacement pads and rotors.

 

[Robert]

It's a very easy DIY job, much easier than drum brakes. If you pay attention to what you are doing, you shouldn't need to bleed your brakes. No you don't need to replace your calipers unless you are having a problem with them. New pads will cost from $25-$50 a set (front and rear) depending on the quality you get. Figure on a couple of hours provided your caliper mounting bolts aren't rusted on. Just remember when you push the caliper pistons back in to fit it over the rotor with the new pads, fluid will get pushed back into your fluid reservoir. Remove the cap first to make it easier to push the pistons back in and have someone watching as you slowly push the pistons in draining the excess fluid as it rises. It is also helpful to remove some fluid first before pushing the pistons back in, but not so much that would cause air to get sucked in. That is the method I did so I didn't need an extra person.

Also be aware that it will take a few hundred miles for your new pads to seat to rotors. Until they seat it will feel like your brakes suck and you won't stop nearly as quickly. I forgot about that when I replaced my pads with Performance Products Extremem Performance pads and went for a quick trial run. I couldn't get my tires to lock up on a dirt road so I thought my new pads sucked. A week or so later my braking got much better than my original pads were. I can now lock get my ABS to kick in on dry pavement with my over-sized tires, something my original brakes couldn't do.

 

[01EB5.0]

It is pretty easy to replace the brake son the newer explorers. You say you want to replace the rotors because they are rusted? Normally they will rust and it is normal. I would just have the rotors ground at a shop and then put them back on. i would replace them after you've had them ground 2 or 3 times though as they will get a little thinner and more suspetable to warping from heat. I replaced my brakes with Bendix and am very happy. They perform well and under emergancy situations i have been able to lock up the tires and get the ABS to activate on dry days and i am running 31" tires

 

[BigDave]

Performance Friction make good pads. Carbon-Metallic material on them, seem to last longer and they stop very well.

Dave

 

[01EB5.0]

The only thing i'd watch out for is some pads make worse brake dust then others.

 

[JatZilla]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I guess I'll attempt the job myself unless it's a real bi*ch to get the old rotors/callipers off the wheel. I'll be replacing the pads and rotors but there's one question I still have:

Currenly, the brakes are soft and the pedal travels to the floor. Is this happening because there's air in the lines or could it be a defective master cylinder or really worn brake pads? My truck has 33k miles.

Thanks for the help guys

 

[01EB5.0]

i'd replace the brakes and see if it still travels that far after your done...if it does I'd go to ford and see if they would warentee it since it doesn;t have 36,000 miles yet and the brakes are quite a safty issue.

 

[TPLYNCH]

If you do a lot of stop and go and hard braking, it's probably just from the pads being worn. Had my pads replaced at 60K (only brake service I've had done) and the pedal is much stiffer and I can feel it catching higher.