Brake Rotor - Rear Single

Replace a single rear brake rotor on a 2011-2014 Ford F-150 5.0L V8 4WD, including caliper removal and reinstallation with proper torque specifications.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear brake rotor × 1 — Use OEM specification or quality aftermarket equivalent
• Rotor set screws (if corroded) × 2 — M8 x 1.25mm Phillips

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid ground and engage parking brake firmly
2. Place wheel chocks in front of both front wheels
3. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while vehicle is on ground
4. Lift rear of vehicle at manufacturer-specified jacking point and secure with jack stands under frame rails
5. Remove wheel completely and set aside
6. Spray caliper bolts and bracket bolts with penetrating oil if corroded (allow 10-15 minutes to penetrate)
7. Check brake fluid level in master cylinder reservoir - note level for comparison after repair

Procedure

1. 1

   Compress brake caliper piston
   Before removing caliper, slowly compress the brake caliper piston using a C-clamp or brake piston tool. Place the clamp against the back of the caliper body and the clamp screw against the outer brake pad. Compress slowly to push piston back into caliper bore. This makes caliper removal easier and prevents brake fluid overflow from the master cylinder reservoir.
   ⚠Monitor master cylinder reservoir during compression. If fluid level rises to top, remove some fluid with a turkey baster to prevent overflow.
2. 2

   Remove caliper slide pin bolts
   Locate the two caliper slide pin bolts on the back side of the caliper assembly. Using an 18mm socket or wrench, remove both caliper slide pin bolts completely. The upper and lower bolts are identical on the rear caliper.
   Torque spec

   Caliper Slide Pin Bolts35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Remove and support caliper
   Carefully lift the caliper assembly straight up and off the rotor and caliper bracket. Do NOT let it hang by the brake hose. Secure the caliper to the suspension or frame using wire or a bungee cord, ensuring no tension or kinking on the brake hose. Keep caliper at or above the level of the brake rotor to prevent air from entering the system.
   ⚠️Never allow caliper weight to hang on the brake hose. Hose damage can cause catastrophic brake failure.
4. 4

   Remove caliper bracket
   Using a 21mm socket or wrench, remove the two caliper bracket bolts that secure the bracket to the rear axle housing. These bolts are torqued to high specification and may require a breaker bar. Remove both bolts completely and take off the caliper bracket. Set bracket and bolts aside in a clean area.
   Torque spec

   Caliper Bracket Bolts127 Nm (94 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Remove rotor set screws
   Locate the two Phillips head set screws on the face of the rotor (if equipped). These screws retain the rotor during assembly. Using a Phillips screwdriver, remove both set screws. If screws are corroded and strip, they can be drilled out or left in place if they break flush with rotor surface.
   ℹ️Set screws are often corroded and may strip or break. This is normal and acceptable - they are only for assembly retention.
   Torque spec

   Rotor Set Screws8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Remove old rotor
   Pull the rotor straight off the wheel hub studs. The rotor should slide off freely. If rotor is stuck due to corrosion, tap it from behind with a rubber mallet, alternating sides. Do not strike the rotor friction surface. If severely seized, spray penetrating oil at the hub-to-rotor contact area and allow to penetrate. Some rotors have threaded holes for a slide hammer or bolts to press the rotor off.
   ⚠Wear gloves - rotor edges are sharp and may have corrosion.
7. 7

   Clean hub mounting surface
   Using a wire brush and brake cleaner, thoroughly clean the wheel hub face where the rotor mounts. Remove all rust, corrosion, and debris. The hub face must be clean and flat for proper rotor seating. Also clean the hub pilot where the rotor centers. Any debris or corrosion here will cause rotor runout and brake pulsation.
8. 8

   Install new rotor
   Remove protective coating from new rotor using brake cleaner and clean lint-free rags. Clean both friction surfaces thoroughly. Slide new rotor onto wheel hub, ensuring it sits flat against the hub face. Align one of the set screw holes with a threaded hole in the hub (if equipped). The rotor should sit completely flush with no gap.
   ⚠Rotor must sit completely flat on hub. Any gap will cause vibration and noise. Remove and re-clean hub if rotor does not sit flush.
9. 9

   Install rotor set screws
   Install the rotor set screws (if equipped and if not corroded/broken during removal). Thread screws in by hand first, then tighten to specification using a Phillips screwdriver. These screws only need to retain the rotor during brake assembly - do not overtighten.
   Torque spec

   Rotor Set Screws8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Reinstall caliper bracket
    Position caliper bracket over rotor and align with mounting holes on axle housing. Start both caliper bracket bolts by hand to ensure proper thread engagement. Using a torque wrench and 21mm socket, torque both bracket bolts to specification in alternating pattern.
    ⚠️Caliper bracket bolts are CRITICAL safety fasteners. Must be torqued to exact specification. Under-torquing can cause bracket to loosen and complete brake failure.
    Torque spec

    Caliper Bracket Bolts127 Nm (94 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Inspect and lubricate slide pins
    Before reinstalling caliper, inspect the caliper slide pins for damage, corrosion, or torn boots. Slide pins should move smoothly in the bracket. Clean slide pins with brake cleaner, dry completely, then apply a thin coat of silicone brake grease to the pins (not the threads). Check that slide pin boots are intact and properly seated.
    ⚠Use only silicone-based brake grease on slide pins. Petroleum-based grease will damage rubber components.
12. 12

    Reinstall caliper assembly
    Remove caliper from its supported position. Verify brake pads are properly positioned in caliper bracket. Carefully guide caliper down over rotor and onto bracket, aligning slide pin bolt holes. Ensure brake pads properly straddle the rotor and caliper slides smoothly into position.
13. 13

    Install and torque slide pin bolts
    Apply a thin coat of silicone brake grease to the threads of both caliper slide pin bolts. Thread both bolts in by hand to ensure proper engagement. Using a torque wrench and 18mm socket, torque both slide pin bolts to specification.
    ⚠️Caliper slide pin bolts are CRITICAL safety fasteners. Must be torqued to exact specification to prevent caliper detachment during braking.
    Torque spec

    Caliper Slide Pin Bolts35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Reinstall wheel
    Clean wheel mounting surface on rotor hat with wire brush. Position wheel onto hub and start all lug nuts by hand. Tighten lug nuts in star pattern by hand, then use torque wrench to torque to specification in multiple passes, following star pattern.
    Torque spec

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

    Lower vehicle and perform final torque
    Lower vehicle from jack stands until tire just touches ground but vehicle weight is still supported. Perform final torque on wheel lug nuts in star pattern to specification. Fully lower vehicle and remove jack. Remove wheel chocks from front wheels.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Double-check that all caliper bolts, bracket bolts, and slide pin bolts have been installed and torqued to specification
2. Verify caliper is not hanging on brake hose and is properly secured to bracket
3. Check brake fluid level in master cylinder reservoir - top off with Motorcraft DOT 4 LV brake fluid if needed, but do not overfill

Verification

• Before moving vehicle, pump brake pedal several times until firm pedal is achieved. Pedal should feel normal and firm.
• Check brake fluid level in master cylinder one final time after pumping pedal
• Perform a low-speed test drive in a safe area, testing brakes at 5-10 mph to verify proper operation
• Listen for any abnormal noises (grinding, squealing, rubbing) during test drive
• Verify no brake pull to either side during braking
• After test drive, check wheel area for any signs of fluid leakage around caliper
• Re-torque wheel lug nuts after first 50-100 miles of driving
• If brake pedal feels soft or spongy, brake system may need bleeding - seek professional service
• Perform 20-30 moderate stops from 30-40 mph to properly bed in new rotor and pads (burnish procedure)

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