How to Change Rotors on a 2-WD 1993 Ford Explorer
- 1). Loosen the lug nuts on the front wheels of the Explorer with the tire iron from the vehicle's wheel maintenance kit.
- 2). Lift the Explorer with the jack and place jack stands beneath the axles.
- 3). Remove the lug nuts and take the wheels off.
- 4). Turn the wheels inward by grabbing the brake assembly and turning the wheel by hand or turning the steering wheel. The angle of the wheel will make accessing the caliper and caliper bracket bolts easier.
- 5). Remove the two caliper slide bolts with the 13 mm wrench. Lift the caliper and suspend it from the steering arm, using a bungee cord or wire coat hanger.
- 6). Remove the two brake pads from the slots of the caliper bracket.
- 7). Remove the two caliper bracket bolts with a 15 mm socket and ratchet. Remove the bracket from the rotor and set it aside.
- 8). Slide the rotor from the lug bolts. Spray chain lubricant on the back of the rotor to loosen the bond of rust, should the rotor prove to be difficult to remove by hand.
- 9). Clean the steering arm and lug bolts with a wire brush before installing the new rotor.
- 10
Spray brake parts cleaner on the new rotor. Wipe the rotor clean with a cloth towel to remove the packing oil that protects the disc during shipping and storage. - 11
Place the new rotor onto the lug bolts. - 12
Return the brake caliper bracket and screw on the bracket bolts with the 15 mm socket and ratchet. - 13
Apply anti-seize brake grease on the back sides of the new brake pads. Slide the pads into the slots of the bracket. - 14
Place a worn brake pad over the two caliper pistons that extend from the inside of the caliper. Use a C-clamp to force the worn pad against the pistons, forcing them into the side of the caliper. Remove the pad and clamp once the pistons are flush with the inside of the caliper. - 15
Place the caliper over the new brake pads in the caliper bracket slots. Screw in the caliper slide bolts with the 13 mm wrench. - 16
Repeat steps 4 through 15 for the opposite brake. - 17
Turn the wheel back to the neutral position (either by hand or using the steering wheel) and replace the wheels onto the lug bolts. Screw on the lug nuts by hand. - 18
Lift the Explorer and remove the jack stands. Lower the vehicle with the jack until the Ford's tires are returned to the ground. Tighten the lug nuts with the tire iron. - 19
Press the brake pedal three times and hold the pedal down following the third depression to force the caliper pistons into the proper position against the brake pads. - 20
Lift the hood by pulling the hood release lever under the dashboard. Move to the engine compartment. - 21
Remove the master cylinder cap located to the right of the Explorer's engine. Place a funnel inside the reservoir and fill the container with brake fluid. Ford recommends using DOT-3 brake fluid to fill the reservoir. - 22
Remove the funnel and replace the master cylinder cap. Close the Explorer's hood.
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