How do you remove the brake calipers on a 1997 Ford Expedition?

Answer 1

On my 2003 Eddie Bauer Expedition, there are two large bolts behind the rear part of the caliper that have to be taken off, that hold the assembly together. Once they are off, the caliper can be compressed with a C-clamp and then it should come right off the rotor - be careful, because the only thing attaching it to the vehicle at that point it the brake line, and if you drop the caliper assembly and break that rubber hose, you've just made yourself a lot more work and a big mess on the garage floor! The front caliper assembly on my vehicle has two cylinders, so compressing it to reassemble it requires either two large C-clamps or you can use one of the old brake pads to bridge the two cylinders so they can both be compressed by one clamp. I wish I could add pix, because it's easier than this makes it sound. :) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Replacing Disc Brake Pads *** Caution *** Older brake pads or shoes may contain asbestos, which has been determined to be cancer causing agent. Never clean the brake surfaces with compressed air! Avoid inhaling any dust from any brake surface! When cleaning brake surfaces, use a commercially available brake cleaner fluid. Print 1. To avoid overflowing of the master cylinder when the caliper pistons are pressed into the caliper cylinder bores, siphon or dip some brake fluid out of the large reservoir. 2. Raise and support the vehicle on jack stands. 3. Remove the wheels. 4. Place a suitable C-clamp on the caliper and, with the clamp bearing on the outer pad, tighten the clamp to bottom the caliper pistons in the cylinder bores. Remove the C-clamp. 5. Loosen and remove the caliper retaining bolts. 6. Lift the caliper off the rotor. è Do not allow the caliper to hand by the brake hose. 7. Remove the brake pads and anti-rattle spring. To install: 8. Thoroughly clean the areas of the caliper and spindle assembly which contacts each other during the sliding action of the caliper. 9. Place a new anti-rattle clip on the lower end of the inboard shoe. Make sure that the tabs on the clip are positioned correctly and the loop-type spring is away from the rotor. 10. Place the lower end of the inner brake pad in the spindle assembly pad abutment, against the anti-rattle clip, and slide the upper end of the pad into position. Be sure that the clip is still in position. 11. Check and make sure that the caliper piston is fully bottomed in the cylinder bore. Use a large C-clamp to bottom the piston, if necessary. 12. Position the outer brake pad on the caliper, and press the pad tabs into place with your fingers. If the pad cannot be pressed into place by hand, use a C-clamp. Be careful not to damage the lining with the clamp. Bend the tabs to prevent rattling. 13. Position the caliper on the spindle assembly. Lightly lubricate the caliper sliding pins with suitable grease. 14. Position the caliper pins into the caliper anchor plate. 15. Tighten the caliper pins to 16-30 ft.lbs. [22-40Nm] on 1997-98 F-250HD, F350 and F-Super Duty models. Tighten the caliper pins to 21-26 ft.lbs. [28-36 Nm] on the F-150, F-250, Expedition and Navigator. Tighten the caliper pins to 42 ft.lbs. [56 Nm] on the 1999-00 F-250SD, F-350 and F-Super Duty models. 16. Install the wheels. 17. Lower the vehicle. 18. Pump the brake pedal a few times to build adequate pressure in the brake system and check the fluid level in the master cylinder.