I just did the rotors, pads and e brakes on a 2003 XLT 2WD Ford Explorer.
Out of the entire process by far the hardest was getting the e brake's long spring back on.
I tried for hours : with the help of another set of hands, long needles nose, 45 degree needle nose pliers, 90 degree needle nose pliers, the coat hanger trick, the zip ties trick and various combinations of all of them: nothing worked.
Then I learned of the tool!
It made putting the springs on so easy , that unpacking the tool took longer than successfully using the tool to put the long spring back on!
The tool:
OEM/Brake spring pliers
Autozone: $8.99
Part Number: 25000
Alternate Part Number: 263
Wal-Mart: $3.36
OEM Brake Spring Plier
Here's a link to an image of the pliers:
I put the sharp end into the spring hook i wanted to clip to the brake pad, and then into the spring hole I was aiming for.
The other hooked end, I used whatever I could on the frame of the car or brake assembly to get needed leverage : open the tool, the spring spreads, lined up with the hole and had my friend tap once with a screw driver: done.
Took less than 15 seconds.