The brakes on your 1996 Ford Explorer can wear down with use and age, necessitating their replacement. Replacing the brakes is important for maintaining your Explorer's braking performance as well as preserving your own safety and those of fellow motorists and passengers. Replacing the brake pads and rotors is a relatively quick job that shouldn't take more than 30 minutes per wheel to perform.
Instructions
- 1
Park the Explorer on a flat, level surface. Open the hood, and disconnect the negative battery cable as a precaution. This will decrease the chance of electrical shock and prevent the Explorer from being accidentally started while work is being done.
2Remove the center wheel cap with a slotted screwdriver. Use the lug wrench to loosen the lug nuts on the wheel before raising the vehicle. Use the floor jack to lift the vehicle off the ground, and secure it with jack stands.
3Finish removing the lug nuts from the wheel with a lug wrench. Set the lug nuts aside, and pull the wheel off the hub to reveal the brake hardware. Locate the two mounting bolts at the back of the caliper holding it to the caliper bracket and remove them with a ratchet and socket. Lift the caliper off the bracket and brake rotor. Suspend the caliper with mechanic's wire or zip ties to avoid letting it hang down by the brake line.
4Locate the two mounting bolts at the back of the caliper bracket that hold it to the wheel hub. Remove the bolts with a ratchet and socket, and pull the bracket off the rotor. Grasp the rotor firmly with both hands, and pull it off the hub. If the rotor is stuck, spray the edges of the rotor where it meets with the hub with a liberal amount of penetrative fluid, and let it sit for a few minutes. Use a rubber mallet to gently tap the rotor loose from the hub.
5Apply a coat of anti-seize lubricant on the hub, and mount the new rotor carefully onto the hub. Remount the caliper bracket over the rotor and onto the hub. Remove the old brake pads from the bracket, and place one of the pads over the caliper pistons. Place a C-clamp between the brake pad and the back of the caliper, then use the clamp to push the piston back inside the caliper.
6Discard the old pads, and insert the new pads into the slots on the caliper bracket. Make sure the pads are securely in place, then place the caliper over the rotor and onto the bracket. Reinsert the mounting bolts, and tighten them with the ratchet and socket.
7Repeat the procedure for the other three wheels, as necessary. When finished, mount the wheel onto the hub, and hand-tighten the lug nuts. Remove the jack stands, and lower the vehicle to the ground. Finish tightening the lug nuts with the lug wrench. Reconnect the negative cable to the battery, and close the hood. Press the brake pedal four to five times to allow the pads to set before driving.
