Servicing rear brakes on 2002 Explorer

[ohiodisneydad]

I need to replace the rear brakes on my 2002 Explorer XLS 4WD which I just took into the shop to have the tires rotated and balanced. Of course they found that the rear brakes were in need of replacement at a cost of $360! I have priced the parts myself for $111 plus tax but I have never replaced rear brakes on a 4WD and I was curious about how hard it is. I have no problemn doing the repair work on front brakes but the repair shop told me there were rotors and drums on the rear, possibly due to the Ebrake?

Can anyone give me any advice?

Oh and here's another one since I have your attention. The same repair shop told me that my rear coil spring on the driver's side is broken due to rust. This part is factory original and comes coated with plastic or rubber to prevent rusting which has been burned or worn off. The service manager called Ford because there is a recall on the Taurus and Focus of the same year for a similiar problem. Ford says there is no recall on the Explorer and they refuse to replace it. My cost is $550 bucks. The rear end doesn't sag and the vehicle shows no ill affects from this. Anyone experience anything similar? SHould I contact Ford myself and see what they can do?

 

[Donner]

Welcome! By rear brakes you mean pads, rotors, etc... or just pads?

 

[ohiodisneydad]

I'm sorry should have clarified that. Rotors and pads. Calipers seem to be ok.

 

[Donner]

First thing: Get away from that repair shop and go to Ford. What did you pay $550 for? Have you paid?

 

[tower]

Rear brakes are a PITA to do because the parking brake will hold the rotors on and you need to use a BFH to get them off, you will most likely brake the shoes in the process so they to will need to be replaced. Other then that they are easier then the front.

Many springs have broken on 3rd gen X's both mine as will as 3 other people that I know, I am sure many more do not even know that they are broken on there Xs. There is no recall, $500 is way to much to fix this.

 

[goatman]

I'm sorry should have clarified that. Rotors and pads. Calipers seem to be ok.

Changing the pads are real simple. A Haynes manual will help you do the job.

Is there a reason that you are changing the rotors? Is there a vibration during braking or is there significant stress cracking, or did the repair shop just tell you that you needed them? If you need rotors, getting the old one off is pretty easy too. Soak with PB Blast and a couple of good wacks with a rubber mallet

 

[Donner]

Sounds like the shop was out to make some $$$$

 

[ohiodisneydad]

First thing: Get away from that repair shop and go to Ford. What did you pay $550 for? Have you paid?

Nope haven't had the work done. There seems to be a rusted, broken coil spring on my driver's side rear shock. According to the shop the spring is factory coated to prevent rust. They also said there is a recall on springs for the '02 Taurus and '02 Focus for the same thing but not for the Explorer. Any idea where I can verify that?

 

[ohiodisneydad]

Changing the pads are real simple. A Haynes manual will help you do the job.

Is there a reason that you are changing the rotors? Is there a vibration during braking or is there significant stress cracking, or did the repair shop just tell you that you needed them? If you need rotors, getting the old one off is pretty easy too. Soak with PB Blast and a couple of good wacks with a rubber mallet

I haven't checked the rotors yet but I will on my days off. The brakes are grinding like crazy so I know there is damage getting done to them. No idea yet if they can be turned. Anyone know if I need a Torx or Hex bit to get the calipers off or will a good old fashioned Phillip's bit work?

 

[ohiodisneydad]

Rear brakes are a PITA to do because the parking brake will hold the rotors on and you need to use a BFH to get them off, you will most likely brake the shoes in the process so they to will need to be replaced. Other then that they are easier then the front.

Many springs have broken on 3rd gen X's both mine as will as 3 other people that I know, I am sure many more do not even know that they are broken on there Xs. There is no recall, $500 is way to much to fix this.

DO you mean the standard brake pads or the parking brake pads?

 

[Donner]

Yes, TSB

Nope haven't had the work done. There seems to be a rusted, broken coil spring on my driver's side rear shock. According to the shop the spring is factory coated to prevent rust. They also said there is a recall on springs for the '02 Taurus and '02 Focus for the same thing but not for the Explorer. Any idea where I can verify that?

Hi,

Yes, search TSB, and you'll see more info on recalls... I'm curious too. Taurus and Focus, hmm...

 

[Donner]

http://www.carcomplaints.com/Ford/Explorer/2002/tsbs.shtml

I'll try again Not a good day... TSB

 

[tower]

DO you mean the standard brake pads or the parking brake pads?

I mean the both the pads and the parking brake shoes. the rear rotors have a drum brake in the hat, you will mostly brake the parking brake shoes when getting the rotors off.

 

[goatman]

I haven't checked the rotors yet but I will on my days off. The brakes are grinding like crazy so I know there is damage getting done to them. No idea yet if they can be turned. Anyone know if I need a Torx or Hex bit to get the calipers off or will a good old fashioned Phillip's bit work?

The caliper should be bolted. I use a 3/8 inch drive rachet to remove. If you need to remove the rotor, you will need to remove the caliper bracket (also bolted). I saw the post that warns of breaking the emergency brake shoes. I did'nt have that problem so.... Remember to spray the center of the rotor where it meets the axle with PB Blast to loosen the rotor. That surface tends to fuse together.

 

[tower]

On Gen3s there is no caliper bracket in the rear, the caliper bolts right to the knuckle. That's why its "easier" then the front two less bolts, but the smart engineers at Ford put a lip on the drum making it very hard to remove the rear rotor.

 

[tower]

Try this thread it has different methods one may work for you. I have tried them all the BFH seems to work the best for me.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=192616&highlight=rear+brakes

 

[goatman]

On Gen3s there is no caliper bracket in the rear, the caliper bolts right to the knuckle. That's why its "easier" then the front two less bolts, but the smart engineers at Ford put a lip on the drum making it very hard to remove the rear rotor.

Thanks for the reminder on the rear bracket. I've ate and slept since I had those rotors off (it's an age thing). Still the rotors, both sides, came off with out damage to the E. brake pads for me. I'll go with being lucky. Good exploded view....

 

[mpccol]

I understand about getting the rotor and caliper off the car, but how do you access the parking brake (E Brake) to change on the shoes. Does the part that holds the wheel studs get unboldted by the 4 bolts in the back of the shield? Does it come off easily?