Service or replace brake caliper slide pins and boots to restore proper caliper movement and prevent uneven brake pad wear.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Caliper slide pin kit (includes pins and boots) × 2 — Use OEM specification or quality aftermarket
• Silicone brake grease × 1 — High-temperature synthetic brake lubricant

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid ground and place wheel chocks behind rear wheels if working on front brakes, or front wheels if working on rear brakes
2. Loosen wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while vehicle is on ground
3. Raise vehicle with floor jack at appropriate jacking point and secure with jack stands rated for vehicle weight
4. Remove wheel completely and set aside
5. Inspect brake system for leaks, damaged hoses, or excessive wear before proceeding

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove caliper slide pin bolts
   Locate the two caliper slide pin bolts on the back side of the brake caliper. Using a 13mm socket, remove both caliper slide pin bolts. Keep track of which bolt came from which position as they may be different lengths.
   Torque spec

   Caliper Slide Pin Bolts35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Pivot caliper upward
   Carefully pivot the caliper upward away from the rotor. Support the caliper with a wire hook 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.
   ⚠Never allow the brake caliper to hang unsupported by the brake hose. This will damage the hose and can cause brake failure.
3. 3

   Remove slide pins from bracket
   Pull the caliper slide pins straight out from the caliper bracket. Note their orientation and position. Inspect the slide pin bores in the bracket for corrosion, dirt, or damage.
4. 4

   Remove and inspect boots
   Remove the rubber dust boots from the caliper bracket slide pin bores. Inspect boots for tears, cracks, or deterioration. Replace boots if any damage is present. Clean the slide pin bores thoroughly with brake parts cleaner and allow to dry.
5. 5

   Inspect slide pins
   Examine slide pins for corrosion, pitting, scoring, or wear. Pins should be smooth and straight. If pins show any damage or excessive wear, replace them. Wipe old grease completely off the pins with a clean shop towel.
   ⚠Corroded or damaged slide pins will cause uneven brake pad wear and reduced braking performance. Replace if any damage is visible.
6. 6

   Clean caliper bracket bores
   Use a wire brush to clean the slide pin bores in the caliper bracket. Spray with brake parts cleaner to remove all dirt, old grease, and debris. Dry completely with compressed air or allow to air dry. The bores must be completely clean for proper slide pin movement.
7. 7

   Install new dust boots
   Press new dust boots firmly into the caliper bracket slide pin bores. Ensure boots are fully seated and secure in their grooves. The boots must seal properly to prevent contamination.
8. 8

   Lubricate and install slide pins
   Apply a generous coating of silicone brake grease to the entire length of each slide pin. Insert pins into the caliper bracket bores, ensuring they slide smoothly through the dust boots. Pins should move freely with light resistance. If binding occurs, remove and inspect for debris or damage.
   ⚠️Use ONLY silicone brake grease. Petroleum-based lubricants will damage rubber boots and cause brake system failure.
   Torque spec

   Caliper Slide Pin Bolts35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Reinstall caliper
   Lower the caliper back down over the brake pads and rotor. Align the caliper bolt holes with the slide pins. If resistance is felt, the brake pads may need to be compressed slightly using a C-clamp against the caliper piston.
10. 10

    Install and torque slide pin bolts
    Thread both caliper slide pin bolts by hand first to ensure proper thread engagement. Using a torque wrench and 13mm socket, torque both caliper slide pin bolts to 35 Nm (26 lb-ft) in a crisscross pattern.
    ⚠️CRITICAL: Caliper slide pin bolts MUST be torqued to specification. Under-torquing can allow bolts to loosen and cause caliper detachment. Over-torquing can strip threads or break bolts.
    Torque spec

    Caliper Slide Pin Bolts35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Reinstall wheel
    Position wheel onto hub and hand-thread all lug nuts. Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern with a socket until snug but not fully torqued. Lower vehicle until tire just contacts ground.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Torque wheel lug nuts
    With vehicle weight on the wheel, use torque wrench to tighten lug nuts to 140 Nm (103 lb-ft) in a star pattern. Make two complete passes to ensure even torque distribution.
    ⚠️CRITICAL: Wheel lug nuts MUST be torqued in a star pattern to specification to prevent wheel detachment.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Repeat procedure for remaining wheels if servicing multiple calipers
2. Lower vehicle completely and remove jack stands
3. Before driving, pump brake pedal firmly 10-15 times until pedal feels firm and normal
4. Check brake fluid level in master cylinder reservoir and top off if needed with Motorcraft DOT 4 LV brake fluid

Verification

• Pump brake pedal repeatedly - it should feel firm and return to normal height within 3-5 pumps
• Start engine and verify brake pedal does not sink to floor under sustained pressure
• Test brakes at low speed (5-10 mph) in a safe area - vehicle should stop smoothly without pulling to either side
• Visually inspect all caliper slide pin bolts and wheel lug nuts to confirm they are properly installed
• After first 50 miles, re-torque wheel lug nuts to specification
• Monitor for uneven brake pad wear, noise, or pulling during braking over the next several hundred miles

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