It is not difficult to replace the front brakes on the 2001 Ford Ranger. How often you need to replace the brake pads depends on how much you use the brakes. Replacing the front brakes will take about 30 minutes for each wheel. The procedure is the same for both two- and four-wheel-drive Rangers. When you are replacing the brake pads, check your rotors to be sure that they are in good condition. If they aren't and you don't replace them, you will prematurely wear out your new brake pads.
Instructions
- 1
Lift the hood of the Ranger and prop it open. Remove half of the brake fluid from the master cylinder using the turkey baster as a siphon. Place the fluid in the drain pan for recycling. Place the wheel chocks behind the rear wheels of the Ranger. Raise the truck using the jack. Place a jack stand under the truck near the jacking point and raise it to the frame. Remove the lug nuts with the lug wrench. Pull the wheel off the truck.
2Loosen the retaining pins on the brake caliper with the socket and ratchet. Pull the brake pads out of the caliper and discard them. Insert the piston tool into the caliper and turn it in until the piston seats itself into the caliper housing.
3Install the new brake pads on the caliper. Place the caliper on the mounting bracket and tighten the pins with the socket and ratchet. Remount the wheel on the truck and tighten the lug nuts with the lug wrench. Remove the jack stand from under the Ranger and lower the truck to the ground. Repeat the procedure on the other wheel.
4Add brake fluid as needed to the master cylinder. Pump the brakes several times until the pedal is firm.
