How to Change the Brakes on a 1999 Ford Truck

Changing the brakes on a 1999 Ford truck involves removing and replacing four components. The brake caliper, brake pads, caliper mount and rotor must be replaced with new components sized to fit the truck. Brake rotors are shipped with a layer of packing oil on the surfaces to protect the rotor. Remove the oil before you put the new rotor to use. Also, monitor the level of brake fluid during brake replacement to ensure that an ample supply is available to the braking system after the repair.

Instructions

Park the Ford truck on a relatively flat surface. Engage the parking brake and place tire blocks behind the rear tires.

Loosen the lug nuts with the socket end of a tire iron, or with a 21 mm socket and breaker bar.

Lift the truck with a lifting jack, and place jack stands beneath the frame.

Remove the lug nuts fully, and pull the wheels from the wheel bolts.

Remove the two caliper slide bolts from the inside wall of the caliper, using a 13 mm wrench.

Remove the two bolts on the caliper mounting bracket, using a 15 mm wrench.

Pull the caliper from the caliper mounting bracket.

Remove the brake pads from the caliper mounting bracket, and pull the caliper mounting bracket from the rotor.

Pull the rotor from the wheel bolts. Tap on the back side of the rotor if it is stuck to the wheel bolts or the steering knuckle.

Unscrew the fastener that connects the brake line to the caliper. Place a drip pan beneath the brake line to catch any leaking brake fluid.

Spray the new rotor with brake cleaner spray, and wipe all the surfaces of the rotor with a clean cloth.

Place the new rotor onto the wheel bolts, making sure that the "top hat" section of the rotor is facing outward.

Place the caliper mounting bracket around the rotor. Screw on the caliper mounting bracket bolts with a 15 mm wrench.

Place the new brake pads into the new caliper. Place the new caliper onto the caliper mounting bracket, and screw on the caliper slide bolts with the 13 mm wrench.

Connect the brake line to the new caliper, and screw the fastener to secure the connection.

Replace the wheel to the wheel bolts and screw on the lug nuts.

Lift the truck to remove the jack stands, and lower the truck to the ground. Tighten the lug nuts with the socket and breaker bar or the socket end of the tire iron.

Lift the hood of the truck, and remove the cap to the master cylinder.

Press the brake pedal three times, and hold the pedal in the depressed position.

Fill the master cylinder with brake fluid. Replace the cap on the master cylinder and close the hood.