How to Change the Brake Pads on a 1997 Ford Expedition

The brake pads on a 1997 Ford Expedition are composed of a semi-metallic material which is pressed against a metal rotor to stop the vehicle. This action creates a great deal of heat and friction, leading to the brake pad material wearing out over time. Once the brake pads reach a certain point of wear, they must be replaced or damage may occur. The typical interval between brake pad changes on a large SUV, such as the 1997 Expedition, is 20,000 to 30,000 miles, depending on driving habits. Heavy hauling or stop-and-go traffic mean you'll need to change them more often.

Instructions

Loosen, but do not remove, the lug nuts on the front wheels.

Raise the front of the vehicle with the floor jack and place the jack stands beneath the vehicle.

Remove the front lug nuts and pull the wheels from the Expedition.

Place the c-clamp over the brake caliper, position it so that the fixed side is contacting the inner-portion of the brake caliper and the screw portion is contacting the outer brake pad.

Tighten the c-clamp until it stops moving. This compresses the caliper's internal pistons, creating the room needed for the new, thicker, brake pads.

Look at the rear of the brake caliper and locate the two caliper bolts, one upper and one lower.

Loosen, but do not remove, the upper caliper bolt, using the ratchet and socket. This bolt acts as a pivot point for the caliper.

Loosen and remove the lower caliper bolt, using the ratchet and socket.

Pivot the caliper upward and away from the brake pads. Secure the caliper to a suspension component, using the bungee strap.

Grasp the inner and outer brake pads, by hand, and pull them from the brake assembly. Make note of how the old pads come out, as the new one must be placed in the same fashion.

Lay the new brake pads on the ground, with the backing facing upward. Cover the backing with a thin coat of anti-rattle grease.

Place the new brake pads on the brake assembly, just as the old ones came off.

Release the caliper from the bungee strap and pivot the caliper downward, covering the brake pads.

Hand-tighten the upper and lower caliper bolts.

Tighten the upper and lower caliper bolts to 21 to 26 foot-pounds, using the toque wrench and a socket.

Repeat steps 4 through 14 for the brake pads on the other side of the vehicle.

Place the wheels back on the Expedition and hand-tighten the lug nuts.

Remove the jack stands from beneath the vehicle and lower it to the ground.

Tighten the lug nuts to 100 foot-pounds in a crossing patern, using the torque wrench and a socket.

Press and release the brake pedal repeatedly until it feels firm.