In tough economic times, people look for different ways to save money. One of those can be making as many of the necessary repairs to your Ford 4WD yourself. This includes replacing the front disc brakes, which is a task you can do in your driveway or garage. The brakes on the front of your truck will wear much faster than those on the rear. When you start hearing a high-pitched noise coming from the front end when you apply the brakes, youll know its time to service them. However, never depend on that as your sole indicator; you need to inspect them periodically.

Instructions

1

Park the truck on a level surface and place the wheel chocks behind the rear wheels. Open the engine compartment and remove 2/3 of the brake fluid from the master cylinder into the drain pan. Jack the truck up with the automobile jack and place a jack stand underneath near the jacking point. Raise the jack stand up to the frame of the truck.

2

Remove the wheel using the lug wrench. Remove the brake caliper using a socket and ratchet. The retaining pins are on the back side of the caliper.

3

Retract the brake caliper piston back inside the caliper by attaching the C-clamp to the caliper and using the old brake pad as a contact surface. Tighten the C-clamp until the caliper piston seats itself into the caliper.

4

Inspect the brake rotor for visible signs of damage. If the rotor has grooves worn into it from bad brake pads, then it will have to be machined smooth or you need to replace it if the damage is too bad.

5

Place the new brake pads into the caliper, clipping them in place with the clips attached to the pads. Place the caliper back on the axle and tighten the retaining pins with the socket and ratchet.

6

Put the wheel back on the truck and tighten the lug nuts with the lug wrench. Remove the jack stand and lower the truck back to the ground. Repeat the process on the other wheel.

7

Once you finish both sides, pump the brakes several times until the brake pedal is firm when you depress it. This allows the brake pads to settle evenly onto the brake rotors. Check the fluid level in the master brake cylinder and replace it as necessary.

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The 2001 Ford Expedition came equipped with a four-wheel-disc brake system and four-wheel ABS. Inspecting the overall condition of the brake system regularly will allow you to identify worn brake-system components before they become a safety concern. Replacing the disc brake pads yourself, when they become worn, is a good way to keep your vehicle repair costs down while maintaining the safety of your Expedition. This repair can be completed in about an hour using basic hand tools.

Instructions

1

Apply the parking brake. Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels. Loosen the lug nuts on the front wheels slightly using the lug wrench. Raise and support the front wheels using the floor jack and jack stands. Remove the front wheels.

2

Place a drain pan under the brake assembly. Clean the front brakes, with brake-parts cleaner, to remove the accumulated brake dust. Avoid breathing the dust from the brake system and vapors from the parts cleaner.

3

Remove the two 13 mm caliper-mounting bolts that attach the caliper to the caliper bracket on the brake system of the Expedition. Lift the caliper off the caliper bracket and brake pads.

4

Apply a thin coat of anti-squeal compound to the back of the brake pads. Allow the compound to dry while you prepare the caliper bracket for installation.

5

Slide the pads, one at a time, out of the caliper bracket. Apply a dab of silicon brake grease to the contact points on the anti-rattle clips attached to the caliper bracket. Slide the new pads into place on the caliper bracket.

6

Open the bleeder screw on top of the caliper. Slip an old brake pad onto the caliper pistons and use the C-clamps to push the caliper pistons into the caliper housing. Use one C-clamp over each piston, two clamps in total, to push the pistons evenly into the caliper. Close the bleeder screw while the C-clamps hold pressure on the pistons. Remove the C-clamps and clean the caliper with brake-parts cleaner to remove the brake fluid that has spilled out.

7

Slip the caliper over the brake pads onto the caliper bracket. Bolt the caliper to the bracket. Install the wheel and lower the Expedition to the ground. Pump the brake pedal several times to expand the caliper before driving the SUV.

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