Replace front brake pads on 2015-2020 Ford F-150 3.5L EcoBoost. This procedure covers removal of caliper slide pins, old pads, inspection of rotors and hardware, and installation of new brake pads.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front brake pad set (4 pads total) × 1 — Use OEM Motorcraft or equivalent
• Brake hardware kit (anti-rattle clips) × 1 — Often included with quality pad sets

Fluids

• Motorcraft DOT 4 LV Brake Fluid — 0.25 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid ground. Place transmission in Park and engage parking brake.
2. Open hood and locate brake fluid reservoir. Check fluid level and remove some fluid with a turkey baster or fluid extraction pump if near MAX line, as pushing pistons back will raise level.
3. Loosen front wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while vehicle is still on ground.
4. Lift front of vehicle with floor jack at designated front jacking point and support securely on jack stands placed under frame rails.
5. Remove front wheels completely and set aside.

Procedure

1. 1

   Inspect brake components
   Visually inspect the brake rotor for deep scoring, cracks, or excessive wear. Check brake hoses for cracks, bulges, or leaks. Measure rotor thickness with micrometer if available (minimum thickness is stamped on rotor). If rotors are damaged or below specification, this job requires rotor replacement as well.
2. 2

   Remove caliper slide pin bolts
   Locate the two caliper slide pin bolts on the rear side of the caliper (facing toward engine). Use a 15mm socket or wrench to remove both slide pin bolts. These bolts thread into the caliper bracket and hold the caliper body in place. Keep bolts in clean location for reinstallation.
   ⚠Do not disconnect the brake hose from the caliper. The caliper will remain attached to the vehicle via the rubber brake hose.
3. 3

   Swing caliper up and support
   With slide pins removed, pivot the caliper body upward and away from the rotor. The caliper will rotate on the brake hose. Support the caliper with a bungee cord or wire hook attached to the suspension or frame. Do not let caliper hang by the brake hose, as this can damage the hose internally.
4. 4

   Remove old brake pads and hardware
   Remove the two brake pads from the caliper bracket. Note the position of any anti-rattle clips or shims. Remove and discard old anti-rattle clips from the caliper bracket abutment points. Take photos if needed to remember hardware orientation.
5. 5

   Clean caliper bracket and slide pins
   Use wire brush to clean the pad abutment surfaces on the caliper bracket where pads slide. Remove all rust, debris, and old grease. Clean the caliper slide pins with brake cleaner and inspect rubber boots for tears or damage. If boots are damaged, the caliper slide pins should be serviced or replaced.
6. 6

   Compress caliper piston
   Use a C-clamp or brake caliper piston compression tool to slowly push the caliper piston(s) back into the caliper bore. Position the clamp against the back of the caliper body and a piece of old brake pad or wood block against the piston face. Compress slowly and watch brake fluid reservoir to ensure it does not overflow. This step creates clearance for the thicker new brake pads.
7. 7

   Install new brake hardware
   Install new anti-rattle clips onto the caliper bracket abutment surfaces. Ensure clips are fully seated and oriented correctly per the hardware kit instructions or photos taken during disassembly. Apply a thin layer of brake grease to the pad abutment contact points on the bracket (not on rotor contact surface).
8. 8

   Install new brake pads
   Install the two new brake pads into the caliper bracket. The pad with the wear indicator tab typically goes on the inboard position (toward engine). Ensure pads are properly seated in the anti-rattle clips and can slide freely in the bracket.
   ⚠Ensure brake pads are oriented correctly with friction material facing the rotor. Installing pads backwards will cause immediate brake failure.
9. 9

   Lubricate and install caliper slide pins
   Apply a thin coat of high-temperature synthetic brake grease to the smooth portion of each caliper slide pin (not the threaded portion). Do not use standard grease as it will deteriorate under brake heat. Ensure rubber boots are properly positioned on the pins.
10. 10

    Reinstall caliper and torque slide pin bolts
    Swing the caliper body down over the new brake pads and align slide pin bolt holes. Thread both slide pin bolts in by hand first to ensure proper threading. Torque both caliper slide pin bolts to specification in a crisscross pattern.
    Torque spec

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

    Repeat procedure on opposite side
    Perform steps 1 through 10 on the opposite front brake assembly. Always replace brake pads on both front wheels together to ensure even braking performance.
12. 12

    Reinstall wheels
    Mount front wheels back onto hubs and hand-thread all lug nuts. Lower vehicle until tire just contacts ground (still supported by jack). Torque lug nuts to specification in a star/cross pattern. Fully lower vehicle and remove jack stands and floor jack.
    Torque spec

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

    Pump brake pedal and check fluid
    With vehicle in Park or Neutral and engine off, pump the brake pedal 10-15 times until pedal becomes firm. This extends the caliper pistons to contact the new pads. Check brake fluid reservoir and top off to MAX line with Motorcraft DOT 4 LV brake fluid if needed. Install reservoir cap securely.
    ⚠️Do not attempt to drive the vehicle until brake pedal is firm. Attempting to drive before pumping pedal will result in no braking on first pedal application.

Reassembly

1. Ensure all caliper slide pin bolts are torqued to specification on both sides.
2. Verify wheel lug nuts are torqued properly in star pattern.
3. Confirm brake fluid level is between MIN and MAX marks on reservoir.
4. Double-check that no tools or parts were left in wheel wells or under vehicle.

Verification

• Before driving, pump brake pedal firmly 10-15 times. Pedal should feel firm and hold pressure. If pedal sinks or feels spongy, do not drive vehicle and investigate for problems.
• Perform a low-speed brake test in a safe area (parking lot or quiet street). Apply brakes gently at 5-10 mph to verify both sides are engaging evenly with no pulling to one side.
• Check for abnormal noises during brake application. Some light squealing may occur during initial break-in but should diminish after 50-100 miles of normal driving.
• After first 50 miles of driving, re-check wheel lug nut torque to ensure they remain properly tightened.
• New brake pads require a break-in period of 200-300 miles. Avoid hard braking during this period to allow pads to properly mate with rotor surface.
• After break-in period, verify brake fluid level has not dropped. Any significant fluid loss indicates a leak that must be repaired immediately.

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