How to change front brakes on a 93 4x4 explorer?

[bnichols04]

I need step by step intructions on how to change the front and the back brakes on a 1993 explore 4x4. Pics would help out a lot too.

 

[bipolarbob]

I don't have pics, but the front is real easy...anyone feel free to add to this.Loosen your wheel nuts, jack up your truck and put a stand under it.Remove the wheel,the hub and you will see two pins, one at the top of the caliper, one at the bottom.Pound the pins out gently with a metal chisel or screwdriver and hammer.The caliper will come off now.Remove the lid for the brake fluid and put a clean rag over it.Place a large rag under the master cylinder as you may get a few drips.Push the caliper back by placing one of the pads over the piston and using a c-clamp.Place the rear pad against the disc.Place the front pad in the caliper and replace the caliper.Put the pins back in ensuring that they are in all the way,both of the little tabs on the pins are showing on both sides.Replace hub and wheel, and do the same on other side.Check fluid level in master cylinder, replace lid and depress brake pedal a couple of times untill it becomes stiff again.

It only takes about 10 min.Anyone got anything to add?If your discs need replacing let us know and we will walk you through it.The back is a little tougher, see how you do with the front, but if you don't know how I would reccomend getting help or getting them done professionally.

 

[bnichols04]

I am going out this weekend to buy all my brake stuff and I need to know how to do the rear too. Is it just as easy as the front? I think the rear is drum. Why did the mecanic say it would cost more since it was a 4x4? Is just because of the locking hub or are there special pads I have to get or what?

 

[bipolarbob]

because he can charge you more...The rear is way harder

 

[dan leon]

Chilton or Haynes manuals are ok for step-by-step instructions on brakes. They cost about $20.

 

[MrShorty]

The vehicle repair guides at www.autozone.com are the equivalent of a Chilton's manual.

 

[dgibson]

They said that it cost more because you have to repack the wheel bearings. You will HAVE to have that c clamp to get the caliper pushed out. Back in May, I had a brake pad fall off. That ate up my rotor too. Everyshop around wanted @$300 to do brakes and rotors. Needless to say, the Navy doesn't pay good enough for me to drop $300 on the drop of a dime, so that meant crash course in brakes. I paid $100 for new rotors and brakes. Doing the brakes, rotors, repacking the wheel bearings, and rotating my tires (with only the stock jack), only took about hour to hour and a half. Not too bad for first time ever doing brakes. Easy work, but don't have a clue on the back.

 

[ld50]

1st get a chilton`s manual

More for a 4x4? doesn`t make sense, but yes, if he turns your rotors it would need repacking. If you have good rotors, no vibration when braking then you don`t really need to turn them. I would turn next time though if you skip it this time, alot of places will turn them for you for cheap.



My advice for a beginner doing the drums is expose both sides, and take a long look. Do one side at a time and look at the side you haven`t messed with if you get confused. It can easily get confusing, so lay the parts down as you take them off so that they sit roughly in relation to each other the way they go back on. It is sometimes hard to get the emergency brake system back together too, so don`t think it`s as easy as the front are.
Too bad someone coudn`t show you how drums are done, there are a few little tricks to doing it that are best shown.

good luck.

 

[DeRocha]

You need to visit the site below. It is very informative. The front brakes are easy if you are NOT turning the rotors. I don't want to complicate things by restating what is contained in the write up. But If you have to remove the rotors it is 10 times longer. That is why it is more expensive to do.. On 1st Gens you have to remove the HUB and the 4x4 cam, bearings ect... You will need a clean place to do this work since you don't want to pop off the HUB and take the chance some wind blows sand or dirt into the greased bearings. You will need to repack the bearings and pick up 2 new wheel seals (Timkin 4950). You will also need to pick up a short length (10") of 1 1/2" PVC pipe. This is the ONLY way to re-install the 4x4 CAM you removed. You will also need a torque wrench to reinstall the axle nut (this is required not optional).

Like others have said you should pick up a manual. I have the Haynes manual and it has fairly good photos and drawings.

Dead Link Removed

Dead Link Removed

 

[heboughtalemon]

I need to replace the rotors on my 92 4wd. The tires and the hub come off easy enough and the calipers and brakes are no problem either, but this is my 1st time into 4wd territory so how do I take the rotor off?? It looks like around the spline there's a small collar that goes 1/2 way around and then 2 pipes inside of each other around the spline with 3 teeth on each one that meshes with the hub...where do I start to get to the rotor and the bearings?? HELP!!

 

[MrShorty]

Get a Haynes/chiltons as it will have a blown apart diagram showing how the front end comes apart. With the auto hubs, you need to pull the inner parts of the hub, and undo the wheel bearing nut (2-3/8 inch socket don't forget the keyway) to get the rotor off.

 

[DeRocha]

Mr lemon why don't you check out the link in my post directly above yours titled Explorer Front brakes?

 

[heboughtalemon]

Actually Mr. Lemon is my husband who was at work when I posted the request for help in replacing the front brake pads and rotors, so it's not him who was stupid. I actually did find that post from DRBOB immediately after I posted my request and did indeed, feel a little stupid, but it was my first time on any automotive site and wasn't familiar with the territory. ANYWAY, DRBOB, we printed out your step by step instructions and have followed them, and ol' lemonhead is almost done with the repair. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR ENLIGHTENING INFORMATION. APPARENTLY THIS IS A GREAT SITE. Ms. Lemon.

 

[DeRocha]

Welcome Mrs Lemon to the site and as you have already surmised there is an abundance of information here (some just takes patients in finding it). If you need any help along the way just ask, that's what we're here for. When doing the front brakes (for the first time) things that caused we grief were:

1) How to get the plastic cam thing back onto the spindle.
2) How to get the "C" clip back onto the axle when there was no room for it.

 

[1993explorer4x4]

Rotor change

DeRocha,

I was trying to open up the link you posted but for some reason it keeps popping up as not found. Is there anyway you can send that to me. I would greatly appreciate it, I'm working on changing my rotors and can use any advice since this is my first time with this type of b reak system.

Thanks

 

[DeRocha]

The origianal thread in that link was moved (a long time ago).. Check out Glacier's Brake Job Diary Thread for lots of step by step info with pics..