Swapping out brake pads... DIY?

[mashoutposse]

Anybody swapped out their own brake pads? I have a 99 XLT SOHC w/ 4WD; what's the job like? How long will it take; what tools do I need? I'd love to hear the pitfalls so I can do this smoothly the first time.

I'm also interested in doing the spark plugs, too. Any help here will be appreciated, as well.

 

[Blee1099]

Very easy.. if you look in the Useful thread section of this forum, I believe there is a nice write up on how to perform a brake job on a 95-2001 Explorer.

 

[mashoutposse]

Thanks; I searched extensively before posting this thread. I found this:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=122696

...but the instructions are for a '92. What needs to be done differently for our generation of Explorers?

 

[snocross1985]

If i can make a recommendation, get a haynes manual for your truck. Those things are extremely helpful to have around when working on your truck.

 

[swandog]

It's really simple...I have a '00 exp sohc 4x4...
1.)Take cap off of the master cylinder resivor (because you'll be pushing fluid back up)
2.)Remove wheel
3.)Remove brake caliper and hang by a wire (don't let it dangle by the brake line)
4.)Remove old pads...pay attention to how they are situated
5.)using big C clamp press in the piston on the caliper...I generally like to do it with the old shoe on so I push it in squarely..
6.)I like to clean the calipers here
7.)Lube the slides
8.)put new shoes in caliper
9.)reassamble
10.)I use a turkey baster and remove as much of the old brake fluid from the resivor that I can and then put in fresh to the proper level


that's all I can think of right now

hth
Doug

 

[Homerexplorer]

It's an easy job but it takes time to do it right - make sure things are cleaned and regreased - specifically the slide bolts. As a side note, I would loosen the reservoir cap rather than remove it - otherwise you may be cleaning it up when you compress the cylinder.

 

[mashoutposse]

Thanks, guys. I'm going to attempt this today and tomorrow.

 

[Art Wallsi]

My Daughter changed the front pads yesterday on her Ranger. She called me to take her to parts store after she had the first set of pads removed. She wanted to take the old pads wirh her. She said the first wheel took three hours (with trip to parts store) and the second wheel took thirty minutes. She said the procedure was exactly as Swandog described. She said the job with a little help from Haynes was very simple.

Art Wallis
97 Sport 4x4 sohc

 

[nazcardan]

Thanks Swandog for the post... that's the same way I do my 96 Explorer. The only step I leave out (not intentionally) is step 7... what do you use to lube the slides?

Thanks.

 

[mashoutposse]

Did all four today with the assistance of my brother... piece of cake The procedure went exactly as Swandog described. I bought a manual (Chilton; the store was all out of Haynes) which certainly made things easier. Thanks for all of the help, guys!

 

[swandog]

I use the caliper grease that they sell in those little packets that is usually up where you check out at an auto parts store...I don't change enough pads to buy a tube of it...

later
Doug