Brake Pads and Rotors - Front

Replace front brake pads and rotors on a 2015-2020 Ford F-150 with 5.0L V8 engine, including caliper service and proper torque specifications.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front brake pads × 1 — Use OEM specification or quality aftermarket
• Front brake rotors × 2 — Use OEM specification, specific to 5.0L V8 model
• Brake hardware/anti-rattle clips × 1 — Often included with pad set

Fluids

• Motorcraft DOT 4 LV Brake Fluid — 0.25 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid surface and place transmission in Park (automatic) or 1st gear (manual)
2. Apply parking brake firmly
3. Using turkey baster or fluid extractor, remove approximately 1/3 of brake fluid from master cylinder reservoir to prevent overflow when compressing pistons
4. Loosen front wheel lug nuts 1/2 turn while vehicle is on ground
5. Raise front of vehicle with floor jack at designated front jacking point
6. Secure vehicle on jack stands placed at manufacturer-specified support points on frame rails
7. Remove front wheels completely and set aside
8. Inspect brake fluid level in master cylinder - mark original level for reference

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove caliper slide pin bolts
   Locate the two caliper slide pin bolts on the rear of the caliper (18mm heads). These are the bolts that attach the caliper to the bracket. Remove the lower slide pin bolt first, then the upper bolt. Support the caliper as you remove the final bolt to prevent it from falling.
   Torque spec

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

   Secure caliper and remove brake pads
   Pivot the caliper upward and secure it to the suspension or frame using wire or bungee cord. Do NOT let the caliper hang by the brake hose as this can damage the hose and cause brake failure. Remove the old brake pads from the caliper bracket and note their orientation. Remove the anti-rattle clips and hardware from the bracket.
   ⚠Never allow brake caliper to hang unsupported by the brake hose. This will damage the hose internally and may cause delayed brake failure.
3. 3

   Remove caliper bracket
   Remove the two caliper bracket bolts (15mm heads) that attach the bracket to the steering knuckle. These bolts are very tight and may require a breaker bar. Remove the bracket completely to access the rotor. Keep track of any shims behind the bracket.
   Torque spec

   Bracket Bolts127 Nm (94 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Remove old rotor
   The rotor should slide off the wheel hub. If the rotor is stuck due to corrosion, thread two M8 bolts into the threaded holes in the rotor face and tighten evenly to push the rotor off. Alternatively, strike the rotor between the studs with a rubber mallet. Do not damage the wheel studs or hub surface.
   ⚠Do not strike wheel studs or hub bearing area with hammer. Damage to hub bearing will cause wheel failure.
5. 5

   Clean hub and prepare new rotor
   Clean the wheel hub mounting surface thoroughly with a wire brush to remove all rust and debris. The hub face must be completely clean and flat for proper rotor seating. Clean the new rotor thoroughly with brake cleaner on both sides to remove the protective oil coating. Wear gloves and avoid touching the rotor friction surfaces after cleaning.
   ⚠New rotors are coated with protective oil that MUST be removed with brake cleaner. Failure to remove this coating will result in no braking ability and potential crash.
6. 6

   Install new rotor
   Slide the new rotor onto the wheel hub, ensuring it sits completely flat against the hub face with no debris trapped between surfaces. Temporarily secure the rotor with a lug nut to prevent it from moving during bracket installation.
7. 7

   Reinstall caliper bracket
   Clean the caliper bracket mounting surfaces and threads. Apply medium-strength thread locker to the caliper bracket bolt threads as specified. Install the bracket over the rotor and start both bolts by hand. Torque the bracket bolts to specification in an alternating pattern. Remove the temporary lug nut holding the rotor.
   Torque spec

   Bracket Bolts127 Nm (94 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Install new brake hardware and pads
   Install new anti-rattle clips and hardware into the caliper bracket according to the manufacturer's instructions. Apply a thin layer of silicone brake grease to the pad backing plate contact points (where pads slide in bracket) and to the pad ears. Install the inner and outer brake pads into the bracket, ensuring they are properly seated in the hardware clips.
   ⚠Use only silicone brake grease on brake components. Never use petroleum-based grease which will damage rubber seals and cause brake failure.
9. 9

   Compress caliper piston
   Before reinstalling the caliper, the piston must be compressed fully into the caliper bore to accommodate the new thicker brake pads. Using a C-clamp or brake piston tool, slowly compress the piston into the caliper. Watch the master cylinder reservoir and ensure fluid does not overflow. If fluid level rises to the MAX line, stop and remove more fluid.
   ⚠Compress piston slowly and monitor brake fluid reservoir. Rapid compression or overfilling can rupture seals and cause total brake failure.
10. 10

    Service caliper slide pins
    Remove the slide pins completely from the caliper bracket. Clean the pins and bores thoroughly with brake cleaner. Inspect the slide pin boots for tears or damage - replace if compromised. Apply fresh silicone brake grease liberally to the slide pins and reinstall them into the bracket, ensuring boots are properly seated.
    Torque spec

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

    Reinstall caliper
    Remove the caliper from its secured position and lower it carefully over the new brake pads. Ensure the caliper slides smoothly over the pads and seats properly against the bracket. Apply silicone brake grease to the slide pin bolt threads. Install both slide pin bolts by hand, ensuring they thread smoothly. Torque to specification.
    Torque spec

    Caliper Slide Pin Bolts35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Repeat for opposite side
    Perform all steps (1-11) on the opposite front wheel. Work on one side at a time to maintain a reference for correct assembly. Ensure all components are installed identically on both sides.
13. 13

    Reinstall wheels
    Clean the wheel mounting surfaces on the rotors. Install the wheels and hand-tighten all lug nuts in a star pattern. Lower the vehicle until the tires just touch the ground but most weight is still on jack stands. Torque lug nuts to specification in a star pattern. Fully lower vehicle and remove jack stands. Perform final lug nut torque verification in star pattern with vehicle on ground.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Restore brake fluid level and bed brakes
    Check brake fluid level in master cylinder reservoir and add Motorcraft DOT 4 LV brake fluid to bring level to MAX line if needed. Install reservoir cap. Before moving vehicle, pump brake pedal slowly 10-15 times until firm pedal is achieved. Pedal should become firm and hold pressure. Check fluid level again after pumping brakes.

Reassembly

1. Verify all caliper bracket bolts and slide pin bolts are torqued to specification
2. Verify wheel lug nuts are torqued to specification in star pattern
3. Verify brake fluid level is between MIN and MAX marks
4. Verify no tools or parts are left in wheel wells or under vehicle

Verification

• With vehicle still in Park/gear and parking brake applied, pump brake pedal 15-20 times. Pedal must feel firm and consistent. If pedal feels soft or spongy, DO NOT DRIVE - investigate for air in system or incorrect assembly
• Start engine and verify brake pedal does not sink slowly to floor when held under pressure for 30 seconds
• Inspect around all caliper and brake line connections for any signs of brake fluid leakage
• Perform a low-speed test drive (under 5 mph) in a safe area to verify brakes engage properly before road use
• Perform brake bedding procedure: Make 8-10 stops from 30-40 mph with moderate pressure, allowing brakes to cool between stops. Avoid aggressive braking for first 200 miles
• Re-torque wheel lug nuts after first 50-100 miles of driving
• Monitor brake pedal feel for first several drives - any change in pedal feel requires immediate inspection

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