Brake Rotor - Rear Single

Replace a single rear brake rotor on a 2015-2020 Ford F-150 with 5.0L V8 engine, including caliper removal and proper torque specifications.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear brake rotor × 1 — Use OEM Ford specification or quality aftermarket (minimum 30mm thickness)
• Rotor set screw (if corroded) × 1 — M6 x 1.0 x 10mm Torx T30

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid surface and engage parking brake
2. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while wheel is still on the ground
3. Raise rear of vehicle with floor jack at proper jacking point (rear axle tube)
4. Support vehicle securely on jack stands placed under frame rails
5. Remove rear wheel completely and set aside
6. Check brake fluid reservoir level in engine bay - do not exceed MAX line during caliper compression

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove caliper slide pins
   Locate the two caliper slide pin bolts on the rear of the caliper assembly (17mm heads). Remove both slide pin bolts completely while supporting the caliper with your other hand. These are the smaller bolts that allow the caliper to slide, not the larger bracket bolts.
   Torque spec

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

   Support and remove caliper
   Carefully lift the caliper assembly straight up and off the rotor. Do NOT let it hang by the brake hose. Use wire, a bungee cord, or a coat hanger to securely suspend the caliper from the suspension or frame. Ensure there is no tension or stress on the rubber brake hose.
   ⚠️Allowing the caliper to hang freely can damage the brake hose internally, potentially causing brake failure even if no external damage is visible.
3. 3

   Remove caliper bracket
   Locate the two large caliper bracket bolts (18mm heads) that secure the bracket to the axle flange. These are behind where the caliper was mounted. Remove both bracket bolts completely and remove the entire caliper bracket assembly. Keep track of any shims or anti-rattle clips.
   Torque spec

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

   Remove rotor set screw
   Locate the T30 Torx set screw in the face of the rotor (may be covered in rust or debris). Clean around the screw and remove it using a T30 Torx bit. If seized, apply penetrating oil and allow to soak, or carefully drill out if necessary. This screw is only for assembly retention and can be discarded if damaged.
   ⚠Set screws are frequently corroded and may strip. Use a properly fitting T30 bit and apply firm downward pressure while turning to avoid stripping.
   Torque spec

   Rotor Set Screws8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Remove old rotor
   Pull the rotor straight off the wheel hub. If rotor is stuck due to corrosion, strike the rotor face with a dead blow hammer or rubber mallet between the wheel studs (never strike the studs directly). If severely stuck, thread two lug nuts on partially and use them as strike points, or apply penetrating oil at the hub interface and allow to soak.
   ⚠Do not strike wheel studs or axle components. Only strike the rotor itself in areas that will not interfere with the hub surface.
6. 6

   Clean hub mounting surface
   Thoroughly clean the wheel hub face where the rotor mounts using a wire brush or abrasive pad. Remove all rust, corrosion, and debris to ensure the new rotor seats completely flat. Clean the wheel studs and threads. Inspect the hub for any damage or excessive wear.
   ℹ️Any debris or corrosion between the hub and rotor will cause rotor runout, leading to brake pulsation and uneven pad wear.
7. 7

   Prepare and install new rotor
   Remove the new rotor from packaging. Spray both sides thoroughly with brake cleaner to remove the protective oil coating. Wipe dry with a clean, lint-free cloth. Apply a thin coat of anti-seize to the hub face (not the rotor contact surface). Slide the new rotor onto the hub, aligning the set screw hole.
   ⚠Failure to remove the protective coating from new rotors will contaminate brake pads and severely reduce braking performance.
8. 8

   Install rotor set screw
   Thread the rotor set screw (new or reused if in good condition) into the rotor face hole. Tighten to the specified torque of 8 Nm (6 lb-ft). This screw only needs to hold the rotor in place during assembly; the wheel clamps the rotor when installed.
   Torque spec

   Rotor Set Screws8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Compress caliper piston
   Before reinstalling the caliper bracket, compress the caliper piston back into its bore using a C-clamp or brake caliper compression tool. Place the clamp on the back of the caliper housing and against the outer brake pad. Slowly compress until the piston is fully retracted. Monitor the brake fluid reservoir and remove fluid if it approaches the MAX line.
   ⚠Compressing the piston forces brake fluid back into the reservoir. If reservoir overflows, brake fluid will damage paint and components.
10. 10

    Reinstall caliper bracket
    Position the caliper bracket over the new rotor and align the mounting holes with the axle flange. Install both caliper bracket bolts and hand-tighten. Torque both bolts to 127 Nm (94 lb-ft) in a cross pattern. Reinstall any anti-rattle clips or shims that were removed.
    ⚠️Improperly torqued bracket bolts can allow the caliper to detach during braking, causing immediate and complete brake failure.
    Torque spec

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

    Reinstall caliper assembly
    Remove the caliper from its support wire. Apply a thin coat of silicone brake grease to the slide pin shafts (the smooth part that slides in the bracket). Position the caliper over the rotor and bracket, ensuring brake pads align properly on both sides of the rotor. Install both slide pin bolts hand-tight, then torque to 35 Nm (26 lb-ft).
    ⚠Ensure brake pads are properly seated in the bracket and caliper before tightening slide pins. Misaligned pads can bind or cause uneven braking.
    Torque spec

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

    Reinstall wheel
    Mount the wheel onto the hub, aligning all lug nut holes. Install all lug nuts hand-tight in a star pattern. Lower the vehicle until the tire just touches the ground (still supported by jack stands). Torque lug nuts to 140 Nm (103 lb-ft) in a star pattern. Remove jack stands and lower vehicle completely.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Pump brake pedal firmly several times until pedal feel becomes firm - this seats the caliper piston against the new rotor
2. Check brake fluid level in reservoir and top off with Motorcraft DOT 4 LV brake fluid if needed (do not overfill)
3. Inspect the work area for any tools or parts left behind
4. Clean any brake fluid spills immediately with water to prevent paint damage

Verification

• Verify brake pedal is firm and does not sink to the floor when constant pressure is applied
• Start engine and verify brake pedal remains firm with engine running (power assist active)
• Test brakes at low speed (under 10 mph) in a safe area to confirm proper operation before normal driving
• Listen for any unusual noises during initial brake applications - slight squealing may occur during rotor bedding process
• After first 50-100 miles, re-torque wheel lug nuts to 140 Nm (103 lb-ft) and verify no brake fluid leaks
• Perform proper brake bedding procedure: 5-10 gentle stops from 30 mph with 30 seconds between stops to properly transfer pad material to rotor surface
• Verify no brake warning lights are illuminated on instrument cluster

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