Brakes

[buckdropper]

I am going to do my first brake job on the wife's X. fronts, rotors and pads. it there any suprises i should know about in advance like a odd tool that may be needed or something else. Thanks in advance.bud's

 

[Garth]

Also which is the best type of pad to use and also which brand.

 

[V8BoatBuilder]

Disc brakes are surprisingly easy, I just did my rears:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=637306

The fronts should be simpler, since there is no drum-in-hat parking brake.

If you plan to have your rotors turned, (Pep Boys will do them for around $15/side) be gentle taking them off. I found a crowbar works great, many people like to smash them off with a big hammer. Either method may gouge the rotors.

I used Standard Raybestos Rotors and Performance Friction Pads. The PFC pads can be bought at Autozone; many members of the board like them.

 

[VOATMJ1]

Originally posted by V8BoatBuilder
I used Standard Raybestos Rotors and Performance Friction Pads. The PFC pads can be bought at Autozone; many members of the board like them.

I agree, Performance Friction pads are great! Better than the OE pads.

 

[lo_jack]

I did my fronts a year ago with some spiffy drilled/slotted rotors and Ti pads...they stop like a champ. I think I even got them from JC Whitney.

Make sure you clean the grease off the rotors if you get new ones...they have a anti-rusting agent applied when made that makest really difficult to stop if you forget to remove it. (grease = anti friction, brakes = friction) I fixed that inadvertantly by driving though a really big puddle. I hadnt taken the grease off, and I had no stopping power.

I also advise checking them after a little bit to make sure they are wearing evenly.

Come to think of it i took pictures, I should make a how-to.

Good Luck!

Brian

 

[Rhino]

This saved me from making a thread. I'm getting ready to turn in my 01 Sport as it’s at the end of its lease and I’m getting ready to take delivery of a new Limited. I'm trying to make sure everything is in decent shape so the dealer won't try to nickel and dime me on the 01. I've been hearing the wear indicators (little chirping noise) from the front pads, so I figured it's time to change them.

I've changed front pads before, but never on an ABS equipped vehicle. Anything I should be wary of or any special procedures to follow? Any recommendations on a cheap, yet decent OEM replacement set? I’d get something better if I was going to keep it long term, but since I’m not I don’t want to spend a lot. Thanks in advance.

 

[buckdropper]

worked out well

I used the advice here and changed them in no time. The only problem was a rounded caliper bracket bolt, loos like some a-hole used a impact tool to install one of the bolts. I had to pound on an old 9/16" socket (fun) and removed it that way. Thanks to all of you for the infomation on the pads and rotors. Now i checked the rears and it looks like they are next is there any thing different with changing them.

 

[dwk55]

Do the PFC pads require shims or they shimmed at the factory.

Thanks,

Dave