This procedure covers cleaning, inspecting, and lubricating brake caliper slide pins to ensure proper caliper movement and even brake pad wear.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Silicone brake grease × 1 — Use high-temperature synthetic brake grease
• Shop towels or lint-free rags × 1 — N/A

Fluids

• Motorcraft DOT 4 LV Brake Fluid — 0.25 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks behind rear wheels
3. Remove approximately 1/3 of brake fluid from master cylinder reservoir using turkey baster or syringe to prevent overflow when compressing caliper pistons
4. Loosen wheel lug nuts while vehicle is still on ground
5. Raise front of vehicle with floor jack and secure on jack stands at manufacturer-specified lift points
6. Remove front wheels completely

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove caliper slide pin bolts
   Locate the two caliper slide pin bolts on the back of the caliper assembly. Using a 13mm hex socket, remove both upper and lower caliper slide pin bolts. These are the smaller bolts that secure the caliper to the bracket, not the larger bracket bolts.
2. 2

   Remove caliper from bracket
   Carefully pivot the caliper up and away from the rotor and bracket. Support the caliper with a wire hook or bungee cord attached to the suspension to prevent tension on the brake hose. Do not let the caliper hang by the brake hose.
   ⚠Never allow caliper to hang unsupported by the brake hose as this can cause internal hose damage and brake failure.
3. 3

   Compress caliper piston
   Using a C-clamp or brake caliper compression tool, slowly compress the caliper piston fully into the caliper bore. Place a wood block or old brake pad between the clamp and piston to protect the piston surface. This step makes reassembly easier and prevents brake fluid overflow.
4. 4

   Remove slide pins from bracket
   Locate the slide pins in the caliper bracket. Pull each slide pin straight out of the bracket bore. If pins are tight, gently twist while pulling. Note the condition and any rubber boots that may need replacement.
5. 5

   Inspect slide pins and bores
   Thoroughly inspect slide pins for corrosion, pitting, scoring, or excessive wear. Check rubber boots for tears or deterioration. Inspect the bracket bores for corrosion or damage. Replace any damaged components. Minor surface rust on bracket bores is acceptable and will be cleaned.
   ⚠Worn or damaged slide pins will cause uneven brake pad wear and reduced braking performance. Replace if any damage is found.
6. 6

   Clean slide pins and bores
   Spray brake cleaner on slide pins and wipe clean with lint-free cloth. Use wire brush to remove any corrosion from bracket bores. Spray brake cleaner into bores and wipe dry. Ensure all old grease and debris are completely removed. Bores should be clean and dry before lubrication.
7. 7

   Lubricate and reinstall slide pins
   Apply a thin, even coat of silicone brake grease to the entire length of each slide pin, avoiding the threaded tip. Do not over-lubricate. Insert pins fully into bracket bores, ensuring smooth movement. Pins should slide freely without binding. Install rubber boots if equipped.
   ℹ️Use only silicone-based brake grease. Petroleum-based lubricants will damage rubber components and cause brake failure.
8. 8

   Reinstall caliper
   Remove caliper from support wire. Position caliper over brake pads and rotor, aligning caliper mounting holes with slide pins in bracket. Ensure brake pads are properly seated in bracket if they were disturbed.
9. 9

   Install and torque slide pin bolts
   Thread both caliper slide pin bolts into the slide pins by hand to prevent cross-threading. Apply a small amount of silicone brake grease to the bolt threads. Using a torque wrench, tighten both bolts to specification in a crisscross pattern.
   ⚠️Proper torque is CRITICAL for brake safety. Under-torquing can cause caliper detachment; over-torquing can damage threads or cause binding.
   Torque spec

   Caliper Slide Pin Bolts35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Verify caliper operation
    Before installing wheel, verify caliper slides freely on pins by pushing caliper side to side. Movement should be smooth without binding or excessive play. Check that brake pads move freely in bracket.
11. 11

    Repeat for opposite side
    Perform steps 1-10 on the opposite front brake caliper. Always service both sides to ensure even brake performance.
12. 12

    Reinstall wheels
    Mount wheels onto hubs, hand-threading all lug nuts. Lower vehicle partially so wheels contact ground but suspension is not fully loaded. Torque lug nuts to specification using star pattern.
    ⚠️Always torque lug nuts in star pattern to prevent wheel mounting issues that can cause wheel detachment.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Check brake fluid level
    Lower vehicle completely and remove from jack stands. Check brake fluid level in master cylinder reservoir. Top off with Motorcraft DOT 4 LV brake fluid to MAX line if needed. Do not overfill.
14. 14

    Bed brakes and test
    Pump brake pedal several times until firm pedal is achieved. Start engine and verify brake warning light is off. Test brakes at low speed in safe area before returning to normal driving. Perform 5-10 moderate stops from 30 mph to bed brake pads.
    ⚠️Do not drive vehicle at highway speeds until brakes have been tested at low speeds and verified to function properly.

Reassembly

1. Torque all fasteners to specifications using a calibrated torque wrench
2. Ensure caliper slide pins move freely without binding
3. Verify brake fluid level is at MAX line with DOT 4 LV fluid
4. All rubber boots must be properly seated to prevent contamination

Verification

• Pump brake pedal repeatedly until firm pedal is achieved before starting engine
• With engine running, verify firm brake pedal with no excessive travel
• Check for any brake fluid leaks around caliper and connections
• Test drive in safe area at low speeds, verifying even braking with no pulling to either side
• Verify brake warning light remains off during operation
• After 100 miles, re-check brake fluid level and inspect caliper area for any leaks or abnormal wear patterns

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