How to Replace the Rear Rotors on a 1997 Ford Explorer
- 1). Set the parking brake, chock the left front wheel and put your safety glasses on.
- 2). Loosen the rear lug nuts with the lug wrench and then slide the floor jack under the rear end. Jack the rear end up high enough to position the jack stands under the rear frame. Lower the rear end onto the jack stands.
- 3). Remove the left rear lug nuts by hand and pull the left rear wheel off and set it to the side.
- 4). Place the drip pan under the brake assembly and spray the brakes down thoroughly with brake clean until you have removed all the brake dust you possibly can. Brake dust can cause severe health problems if you breathe it, so make sure to get rid of as much as possible.
- 5). Use the socket set to unbolt the brake caliper and then pull it outward, away from the rotor's hub. Rest the caliper on a rear suspension component so it does not hang from the brake line.
- 6). Pull the rotor off by hand and slide the new one on. If replacing the pads as well, pull the clip of the back of the brake caliper and swap the pads. Make sure to clean the caliper slides with brake clean and lube them with white lithium grease before reinstalling the caliper.
- 7). Repeat steps three through six on the right side.
- 8). Reinstall both wheels and lug nuts. Jack the Explorer off the jack stands and then remove the stands. Lower the Explorer back onto the ground.
- 9). Use the torque wrench to tighten the rear lug nuts to 100 pounds/feet.
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