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You are here: Experts > Home/Garden > Auto Repair > Ford Repair > brakes
Expert: James - 10/22/2009
Question
QUESTION: Hello
I have a'92 Ford Explorer. I checked the brake pads. They have about 1/8" left on the pad. I jacked it up to change the pads. I was not sure how to to it. I saw the lower part of the caliper. It looked like a 2/4" hollow cotter pin was holding it together. Not sure though. I found a video on youtube to see how it was done but it was a Ford Taurus. I also found a couple of sites with pictures but it was not for an Explorer. How do I change the pads on mine?
Thanks
ANSWER: This is not usually something that can be explained in a few sentences, or paragraph. To help you out though, I will give you a few pointers. First of all, you need the right tools. I higly recommend going to your local parts store for a Hanynes manual. These guys tear down vehicles and put them back together just to explain. Unbeatable for the15 dollar cost. If that is a burden, I would recommend going to your local library. You see, your local library will have Mitchell Service manuals on all vehicles. Simply find the one that you want, and make copies of the section you need.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: James
I went to a parts store and the manuals were #25 so I nixed the idea. I went to the library and they had Chilton's. They were not in depth and did not cover the bolts or things I needed to find to take off the caliper. Before I wrote you, I found a couple of videos on youtube that covered Ford Taurus but that was different than my Explorer.. Do you have any other ideas?
Thanks
Answer
I can tell you this. The brake systems may look different, but they are the same, nevertheless. What I love about Ford braking systems is this, they don't use 5 different torque bits for different applications like other manufacturers. Without saying with any certainty, their are two bolts that hold the caliper on. They should be 1/2 inch to 5/8 inch. When I do a brake job, I remove the bottom bolt and loosen the top. I thin pivot the caliper on the bolt like an axis. This maybe difficult for you, so I suggest that you use a coat hanger to hold up the caliper tied to the strut with the coat hanger. The important thing is to not disconnect or damage the brake line in any way. You do damage the brake line, and you will be bleeding the brakes, which is an entire different animal. You can depress the old brake pads into the caliper using a brake pad depressor,or a modified C-clamp. I recommend the brake pad depressor, much more effective. The most important thing is to only do one side at a time. However, you should know this. If you replace the brake pads and do not at the minimum have the rotors turned or replaced, you are looking at a short life expectancy of the pads. Also, most parts guys worth anything know how to recognize pads not replaced on a turned or new rotor, so your warranty will be voided. Removing and installing the rotors can be easy, or difficult depending on if you are two wheel drive or four. Two wheel drive must have the bearings repacked. Four wheel drive is way too much to explain to e frank. The bearings are sealed, and on a hub. This requires so very expensive tools to remove.
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