Replace the front brake pads on a 2021-2024 Ford F-150 3.5L EcoBoost, including caliper service and proper bedding procedure.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front brake pad set × 1 — Motorcraft BR-1793 or equivalent
• Brake hardware kit (anti-rattle clips) × 1 — Usually included with pads
• Thread locker (medium strength) × 1 — Loctite 243 or equivalent

Fluids

• Motorcraft DOT 4 LV Brake Fluid — 0.5 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid ground. Place transmission in Park and engage parking brake
2. Check brake fluid level in master cylinder reservoir under hood. If below MIN line, inspect for leaks before proceeding
3. Loosen front wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while vehicle is on ground
4. Lift front of vehicle with floor jack at designated front jacking point and secure on jack stands under frame rails
5. Remove both front wheels completely
6. Using turkey baster or fluid extractor, remove approximately 1/3 of brake fluid from master cylinder reservoir to prevent overflow when compressing pistons. Dispose of old fluid properly
7. Inspect brake rotors for excessive scoring, heat damage, or thickness below minimum specification (typically stamped on rotor hat)

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove caliper slide bolts
   Locate the two caliper slide bolts on the rear of the caliper assembly. These are typically 18mm bolts. Using a socket and ratchet, remove both slide bolts completely. Support the caliper with your hand as you remove the second bolt to prevent it from falling and stressing the brake hose.
   Torque spec

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

   Pivot caliper up and secure
   Carefully pivot the caliper upward and away from the rotor. Use a bungee cord or wire to hang the caliper from the suspension or frame. Never let the caliper hang by the brake hose as this can damage the hose internally and cause brake failure.
   ⚠Do not let caliper hang unsupported by brake hose. Internal hose damage may not be visible but can cause sudden brake failure.
3. 3

   Remove old brake pads and hardware
   Remove the inner and outer brake pads from the caliper bracket. Note the position of any anti-rattle clips or shims. Remove the anti-rattle spring clips from the caliper bracket using a flathead screwdriver or pliers. Take a photo before removal for reference during reassembly.
4. 4

   Clean caliper bracket and slides
   Spray the caliper bracket with brake cleaner to remove all dust and debris. Use a wire brush to clean the pad contact areas on the bracket where the pads slide. Inspect the caliper slide pins: remove them from the caliper, clean off old grease, and inspect for corrosion or damage. The pins should slide smoothly without binding.
5. 5

   Inspect and lubricate slide pins
   Apply a thin coat of high-temperature brake grease to the caliper slide pins along their entire length. Do not use excessive grease. Reinstall the slide pins into the caliper pin boots, ensuring the boots are properly seated and not torn. Torn boots must be replaced to prevent moisture contamination.
6. 6

   Install new brake hardware
   Install new anti-rattle clips onto the caliper bracket in the same position as the old clips. Ensure they snap into place securely. Apply a very light coating of high-temperature brake grease to the pad contact points on the bracket where the pad backing plates will slide (do not get grease on friction material).
7. 7

   Compress caliper piston
   Before compressing the piston, verify that you have removed fluid from the master cylinder reservoir. Place a C-clamp or brake caliper piston tool against the back of the caliper piston and a solid part of the caliper body. Slowly compress the piston fully into the caliper bore. If the piston is difficult to compress or cocked at an angle, the caliper may need replacement. Monitor the master cylinder reservoir to ensure it does not overflow.
   ⚠Compressing the piston forces fluid back into the brake system. Ensure reservoir fluid was removed to prevent overflow and potential ABS contamination.
8. 8

   Install new brake pads
   Install the new inner and outer brake pads into the caliper bracket. The pads should fit snugly but slide freely in the bracket. Ensure any wear indicators (squealer tabs) are positioned correctly according to manufacturer instructions, typically on the inner pad facing upward. Verify pad friction material faces the rotor on both sides.
9. 9

   Reinstall caliper and torque bolts
   Remove the caliper from its hanging position and carefully pivot it down over the new brake pads. Align the caliper slide pin holes with the pins. Before installing slide bolts, apply a small amount of medium-strength thread locker to the bolt threads. Install both caliper slide pin bolts and hand-tighten. Using a torque wrench, torque the slide pin bolts to specification in a crisscross pattern.
   Torque spec

   Caliper Slide Pin Bolts35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Repeat for opposite side
    Perform steps 1 through 9 on the opposite front wheel. Both front brakes should be serviced together to ensure even braking performance. Inspect the opposite side caliper and rotor condition as you work.
11. 11

    Reinstall wheels
    Mount both front wheels onto the hubs. Install lug nuts by hand, threading them on in a star pattern to prevent cross-threading. Snug lug nuts with a hand wrench but do not fully torque yet.
12. 12

    Lower vehicle and torque lug nuts
    Remove jack stands and carefully lower the vehicle to the ground. With the vehicle weight on the wheels, use a torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts to specification in a star pattern. Go around the star pattern at least twice to ensure even torque distribution.
    Torque spec

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

    Restore brake pedal and check fluid
    Before moving the vehicle, pump the brake pedal slowly and firmly 10-15 times until it becomes firm. The pedal should rise to normal height and feel solid. If the pedal goes to the floor, recheck your work immediately. Top off the master cylinder reservoir with fresh DOT 4 LV brake fluid to the MAX line. Ensure the cap is secure.
    ⚠️Do not attempt to drive the vehicle if the brake pedal does not return to firm pressure. This indicates air in the system or improper assembly.

Reassembly

1. Verify all tools and parts have been removed from the wheel wells and under the vehicle
2. Double-check that both caliper slide bolts are properly torqued on both sides
3. Confirm lug nuts are torqued to specification in a star pattern
4. Ensure master cylinder reservoir is filled to MAX line with correct DOT 4 LV fluid

Verification

• With the vehicle still in Park, pump the brake pedal 15-20 times. The pedal should feel firm and consistent with approximately 1-2 inches of travel before resistance
• Start the engine and verify the brake pedal does not sink slowly to the floor (indicates leak or air)
• Perform a low-speed test in a safe area: at 5-10 mph, apply brakes firmly. The vehicle should stop smoothly without pulling to one side
• Perform bed-in procedure: make 20-30 moderate stops from 30-40 mph with 30 seconds of driving between stops to allow brakes to cool slightly. Avoid coming to a complete stop if possible (slow to 5 mph then accelerate). This transfers an even layer of pad material to the rotors
• After bed-in procedure, avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles if possible to allow pads to fully seat
• Check for brake fluid leaks around caliper slide pins and bleeder screws after first test drive
• Re-torque lug nuts after 50-100 miles of driving
• Monitor brake pedal feel over the next few days. Any change in pedal height or firmness requires immediate inspection

More procedures for this vehicle