Brake Pads - Rear

Replace rear brake pads on a 2011-2014 Ford F-150 3.5L EcoBoost 4WD, including caliper service and proper torque procedures.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear brake pad set × 1 — Use OEM specification or quality aftermarket
• Brake hardware kit (clips and shims) × 1 — Often included with pad set

Fluids

• Motorcraft DOT 4 LV Brake Fluid — 0.25 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid ground and engage parking brake.
2. Place wheel chocks in front of front wheels.
3. Open hood and locate brake master cylinder reservoir. Remove approximately 1/4 of fluid with turkey baster or fluid pump to prevent overflow when compressing caliper pistons. Dispose of old fluid properly.
4. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while vehicle is on ground.
5. Raise rear of vehicle using floor jack at rear axle differential or frame-mounted jack points.
6. Support vehicle with jack stands placed under frame rails behind rear axle. Ensure vehicle is stable before proceeding.
7. Remove rear wheels completely and set aside.

Procedure

1. 1

   Inspect brake system condition
   Visually inspect rear brake rotors for deep grooves, cracks, or excessive rust. Check brake hoses for cracks, bulging, or leaks. Measure rotor thickness with micrometer if available (minimum thickness stamped on rotor hat). If rotors are damaged or below minimum thickness, they must be replaced before installing new pads. Inspect caliper slide pins for torn boots or corrosion.
2. 2

   Remove caliper slide pin bolts
   Locate the two caliper slide pin bolts on the inboard side of the caliper. These are typically 13mm hex head bolts. Remove both caliper slide pin bolts completely. Support the caliper with your hand as you remove the second bolt to prevent it from falling.
   Torque spec

   Caliper Slide Pin Bolts30 Nm (22 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Remove caliper from bracket
   Carefully pivot the caliper upward and away from the brake rotor. Support the caliper weight using a wire hanger or bungee cord attached to the suspension or frame. Do NOT let the caliper hang by the brake hose, as this can damage the hose internally and cause brake failure.
4. 4

   Remove old brake pads and hardware
   Remove the outer and inner brake pads from the caliper bracket. Note the orientation and position of any anti-rattle clips, shims, or springs. Take a photo if needed for reference during reassembly. Remove and discard old pad hardware clips from the caliper bracket abutment surfaces.
5. 5

   Clean caliper bracket and rotor
   Using a wire brush, clean the caliper bracket abutment surfaces where the brake pad tabs contact the bracket. Remove all rust, corrosion, and old lubricant. Spray brake cleaner on the rotor surfaces, bracket, and caliper to remove brake dust and contamination. Allow to air dry completely. Do NOT use compressed air.
6. 6

   Compress caliper piston
   Using a C-clamp or brake caliper compression tool, slowly compress the caliper piston fully into its bore. Place the clamp against the back of the caliper body and the clamp screw against the piston face (or old brake pad). Compress slowly and evenly. This forces brake fluid back into the master cylinder reservoir. If piston does not compress smoothly or binds, the caliper may be seized and require replacement.
   ⚠Ensure master cylinder reservoir cap is loose and monitor for fluid overflow during piston compression.
7. 7

   Remove and service caliper slide pins
   Pull the caliper slide pins out of the caliper bracket. Inspect rubber boots for tears or damage. Clean slide pins thoroughly with brake cleaner and wipe dry. Apply a thin, even coat of high-temperature silicone brake caliper grease to the slide pin shafts. Do NOT use petroleum-based grease. Reinstall slide pins into bracket with boots properly seated.
8. 8

   Install new brake hardware
   Install new anti-rattle clips and pad hardware onto the caliper bracket abutment surfaces. Ensure clips are fully seated and secure. Apply a thin layer of silicone brake grease to the pad contact points on the abutment surfaces where the brake pad backing plates will slide.
9. 9

   Install new brake pads
   Install the new inner and outer brake pads into the caliper bracket, ensuring they are properly seated in the hardware clips. The pad wear indicators (metal tabs) should be positioned according to manufacturer specifications, typically on the inner pad at the trailing edge. Verify pads move freely in the bracket.
10. 10

    Reinstall caliper
    Remove the caliper from its support wire. Apply a thin coat of silicone brake grease to the caliper slide pin bolt threads and contact surfaces. Carefully position the caliper over the new brake pads and align the slide pin bolt holes. Thread both caliper slide pin bolts by hand first to ensure proper thread engagement.
    ⚠Ensure brake hose is not twisted or kinked during caliper installation.
    Torque spec

    Caliper Slide Pin Bolts30 Nm (22 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Torque caliper slide pin bolts
    Using a torque wrench, tighten both caliper slide pin bolts to 35 Nm (26 lb-ft) in an alternating pattern. Verify both bolts are properly torqued. This is a CRITICAL safety specification.
    Torque spec

    Caliper Slide Pin Bolts30 Nm (22 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Repeat for opposite side
    Perform steps 1 through 11 on the opposite rear wheel brake assembly. Always replace brake pads on both sides of the same axle simultaneously to maintain balanced braking performance.
13. 13

    Reinstall wheels
    Clean wheel mounting surfaces on hub with wire brush if needed. Position wheels onto hubs and thread lug nuts by hand. Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern with hand tools until wheel is seated against hub.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Lower vehicle and torque lug nuts
    Remove jack stands and carefully lower vehicle to the ground. With vehicle weight on wheels, torque all lug nuts to 140 Nm (103 lb-ft) using a star pattern to ensure even pressure distribution. Re-check all lug nuts after torquing sequence is complete.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Restore brake pedal and check fluid
    With engine OFF, pump the brake pedal slowly and firmly 10-15 times until pedal becomes firm and reaches normal height. This seats the caliper pistons against the new pads. Check brake master cylinder reservoir and top off with fresh Motorcraft DOT 4 LV brake fluid to the MAX line. Do NOT overfill. Secure reservoir cap.

Reassembly

1. Ensure all caliper slide pin bolts are torqued to specification and verified.
2. Verify brake master cylinder reservoir is filled to MAX line with correct DOT 4 LV fluid.
3. Confirm parking brake is functioning properly.
4. Double-check that all tools and materials are removed from wheel wells and under vehicle.

Verification

• Pump brake pedal until firm before attempting to move vehicle. Pedal should feel firm and hold steady pressure.
• Start engine and verify brake warning light is OFF on instrument cluster.
• Perform a low-speed brake test in a safe area (5-10 mph) to verify brakes engage smoothly without pulling to one side.
• Perform 10-15 moderate stops from 30-40 mph to properly bed in new brake pads. Avoid hard braking during first 200 miles.
• After 50-100 miles of driving, re-torque wheel lug nuts to 140 Nm (103 lb-ft) to ensure they have not loosened.
• Monitor brake pedal feel and check for any fluid leaks around calipers during first week of operation.
• If brake pedal feels soft, spongy, or travels too far, or if brake warning light illuminates, DO NOT DRIVE and seek professional service immediately.

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