Brake Pads and Rotors - Rear

Replace rear brake pads and rotors on a 2011-2014 Ford F-150 with 5.0L V8 Coyote engine, including caliper service and brake system inspection.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear brake pad set (left and right) × 1 — Use OEM specification or quality aftermarket
• Rear brake rotors × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Brake hardware kit (clips and springs) × 1 — Often included with pad set

Fluids

• Motorcraft DOT 4 LV Brake Fluid — 0.5 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid ground and engage parking brake firmly
2. Chock the front wheels to prevent vehicle movement
3. Remove approximately 1/3 of brake fluid from master cylinder reservoir using turkey baster or fluid pump to prevent overflow when compressing caliper pistons
4. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground, but do not remove
5. Lift rear of vehicle with floor jack at rear differential or frame rails per owner's manual
6. Support vehicle securely on jack stands placed at manufacturer-specified jacking points
7. Remove rear wheels completely and set aside

Procedure

1. 1

   Inspect brake system
   Visually inspect brake lines, hoses, calipers, and parking brake cables for damage, leaks, or excessive wear. Check caliper slide pins for seized or damaged boots. Address any issues before proceeding. Spray brake components with brake cleaner and allow to drip into catch pan.
2. 2

   Remove caliper slide bolts
   Locate the two caliper slide bolts on the rear of the caliper assembly. Remove both slide bolts completely using appropriate socket. Support the caliper to prevent it from hanging by the brake hose.
   ⚠Do not let caliper hang by brake hose as this can damage the hose internally and cause brake failure.
   Torque spec

   Caliper Slide Bolts42 Nm (31 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Remove caliper
   Carefully lift the caliper off the rotor and bracket. Support caliper by hanging from suspension or frame using wire or bungee cord. Do not disconnect brake hose unless caliper replacement is needed.
4. 4

   Remove old brake pads
   Remove the old brake pads from the caliper bracket. Note the orientation and position of any anti-rattle clips or shims for reinstallation. Remove and discard old brake hardware clips from the bracket.
5. 5

   Remove caliper bracket
   Remove the two caliper bracket bolts securing the bracket to the axle housing using appropriate socket. Remove the bracket completely. Keep bolts organized as they will be reused with thread locker.
   ℹ️These bolts are high-torque and may require significant force to remove. Ensure socket is fully seated to prevent rounding.
   Torque spec

   Caliper Bracket Bolts201 Nm (148 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Remove old rotor
   Pull the old rotor off the hub. If rotor is stuck due to rust or corrosion, use penetrating oil and tap gently with rubber mallet around the hat section. Do not strike the rotor friction surface. If rotor has retaining screws, remove them first.
7. 7

   Clean hub and prepare new rotor
   Clean the hub face thoroughly with wire brush to remove rust and debris. Ensure hub surface is clean and flat. Clean new rotor with brake cleaner to remove protective coating. Verify rotor thickness meets manufacturer specifications and has no damage.
8. 8

   Install new rotor
   Slide new rotor onto hub, ensuring it seats fully against the hub face. If present, install rotor retaining screws to hold rotor in place during assembly. Verify rotor spins freely without excessive runout.
9. 9

   Reinstall caliper bracket
   Clean caliper bracket bolt threads and holes with wire brush. Apply medium-strength thread locker to bracket bolt threads as specified. Install bracket onto axle housing and hand-tighten bolts. Torque bracket bolts to specification in alternating pattern.
   ⚠Thread locker is required on bracket bolts. Failure to use thread locker can result in bolt loosening and complete brake failure.
   Torque spec

   Caliper Bracket Bolts201 Nm (148 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Install new brake hardware and pads
    Install new brake hardware clips onto caliper bracket, ensuring they snap fully into place. Apply thin layer of high-temperature silicone brake grease to pad backing plate contact points (not friction surface). Install new brake pads into bracket with friction material facing the rotor.
11. 11

    Compress caliper piston
    Using C-clamp or brake caliper piston tool, slowly compress the caliper piston fully into the bore. Place old brake pad against piston to protect it during compression. Monitor brake fluid level in master cylinder and remove fluid if it rises too high to prevent overflow.
    ⚠Compressing caliper pistons forces brake fluid back to master cylinder. Do not allow reservoir to overflow.
12. 12

    Service caliper slide pins
    Remove caliper slide pins from bracket and inspect for corrosion, wear, or damaged boots. Clean pins thoroughly with brake cleaner. Apply fresh high-temperature silicone brake grease liberally to slide pin surfaces. Reinstall pins with new boots if originals are damaged.
13. 13

    Reinstall caliper
    Position caliper over brake pads and onto bracket. Ensure brake hose is not twisted or kinked. Install caliper slide bolts through caliper and into slide pins. Apply silicone brake grease to slide bolt threads. Torque slide bolts to specification.
    ⚠Slide bolts must be lubricated with silicone brake grease as specified or caliper may seize, causing uneven braking.
    Torque spec

    Caliper Slide Bolts42 Nm (31 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Repeat for opposite side
    Perform steps 1 through 13 on the opposite rear wheel. Ensure both sides are completed identically with same parts and torque specifications.
15. 15

    Reinstall wheels and restore brake fluid
    Reinstall rear wheels and hand-tighten lug nuts. Lower vehicle until tires just touch ground but jack stands still support weight. Torque lug nuts to specification in star pattern. Fully lower vehicle and remove jack stands. Top off brake fluid reservoir to MAX line with fresh DOT 4 LV brake fluid. Do not overfill.
    ⚠Use only specified DOT 4 LV brake fluid. Other fluids can damage ABS system components.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts203 Nm (150 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Ensure all caliper bolts, bracket bolts, and slide bolts are torqued to specification
2. Verify brake fluid level is between MIN and MAX marks on reservoir
3. Check that no tools or parts have been left in wheel wells or under vehicle

Verification

• With vehicle still in park or neutral and parking brake released, pump brake pedal slowly 10-15 times until pedal becomes firm and holds pressure. Pedal should not sink to floor.
• Check brake fluid level again and top off if needed. Inspect around all brake connections for leaks.
• Start engine and pump brakes again. Pedal should feel firm with engine running.
• Perform a low-speed brake test (5-10 mph) in a safe area to verify proper braking function before normal driving.
• During first 200 miles, avoid hard braking to allow pads to properly bed to rotors. Expect some light noise or reduced performance during break-in period.
• Re-check wheel lug nut torque after first 50-100 miles of driving.

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