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Jason - 09 Oct 2007 18:25 GMT

Im about to do the brakes on my 2003 explorer xlt. I think I only need to do
the front but I will check the rear to make sure..first question. I know the
fronts need to be done but how do I tell if I should do the rear
also..should I just do them since im already doing the fronts..and this is
the first set of disc brakes i will be changing.(i have done the drum brakes
on my 69 stang a couple times.anything i should expect??any helpful
pointers? I am confident I will be able to do this no problem but it doesnt
hurt to ask some pro's right? Any tips would be appreciated..Thx

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Frank Mancuso - 10 Oct 2007 11:07 GMT

> Im about to do the brakes on my 2003 explorer xlt. I think I only need to do
> the front but I will check the rear to make sure..first question. I know the
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> pointers? I am confident I will be able to do this no problem but it doesnt
> hurt to ask some pro's right? Any tips would be appreciated..Thx

You might also find this site helpful-scroll down to the Brakes area.

http://www.explorerforum.com/Singleton/exp.html

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Jason - 10 Oct 2007 15:48 GMT

Holy crap...the way that website describes the procedure kinda worries
me...does just changing the brakes require pulling apart the entire wheel
hub and everything..if that is the case I will just take it to a shop.

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Frank Mancuso - 10 Oct 2007 20:37 GMT

> Holy crap...the way that website describes the procedure kinda worries
> me...does just changing the brakes require pulling apart the entire wheel
> hub and everything..if that is the case I will just take it to a shop.

Couldn't break through your spam barrier, so here is my reply from your
e-mail:

THE HORRAH! Boil ribs??? Around here, that's sacreligious-they are
pretty darn tender without any of that.
Not sure how close you are to Citrus Park, Orlando of Pinellas Park, but
if so, hit a BJ's Brewhouse-we brew all their beer, and I think they
have our Amber Ale on tap.
Dr. Bob can be ---quite thorough-that's why I don't do brakes, but I'm
on my third Explorer, and that site has been quite helpful over the
years, but I don't know if it's been updated lately.
Cheers!

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Al Williams - 11 Oct 2007 21:34 GMT

That Dr. Bob/Singleton page is mainly for older explorers. Yours, being a
2003 will not have caliper slides, etc. and is very easy to replace pads as
long as your rotors are good. Simply undo the caliper bolts and pop out the
pads. You should get some sort of reference manual (I have the Haynes which
is just OK) so you make sure you take out the correct bolts and torque them
properly...

Signature

Allan Williams

>> Holy crap...the way that website describes the procedure kinda worries
>> me...does just changing the brakes require pulling apart the entire wheel
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> but I don't know if it's been updated lately.
> Cheers!

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riddles - 10 Oct 2007 21:01 GMT

>Im about to do the brakes on my 2003 explorer xlt. I think I only need to do
>the front but I will check the rear to make sure..first question. I know the
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>pointers? I am confident I will be able to do this no problem but it doesnt
>hurt to ask some pro's right? Any tips would be appreciated..Thx

this links to purchase the Ford repair CD - not a copy, a dealer CD.
Worth every Penney. You may need to purchase the more expensive DVD
for your year.
http://www.service-bulletins.com/index.php?cPath=21

if you belong to your local library you can get online access to the
ebscohost auto repair manuals section. You can then print out the
instructions to replace your brake pads. It is a free service.

go to:
http://www.explorerforum.com/

look in the forum for your year. there should be step by step
illustrated instructions for this very simple job.

You do not need to remove the hub or bearings.

you should inspect the rear pads/rotors before you purchase the new
pads. If they are near the end of their service life replace the
rears. Normally rears outlast the fronts 2 to 1. Buy the best pads you
can get. Ceramic/metallic preferred.

Riddles

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Ashton Crusher - 11 Oct 2007 05:00 GMT

>Im about to do the brakes on my 2003 explorer xlt. I think I only need to do
>the front but I will check the rear to make sure..first question. I know the
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>pointers? I am confident I will be able to do this no problem but it doesnt
>hurt to ask some pro's right? Any tips would be appreciated..Thx

Most brakes are pretty simple to do. Especially if they are basically
working ok but you just can see that the pads are about shot and need
to be replaced. Unless you need to have the rotors machined or
replaced you should be able to take out a few bolts, remove the
calipers, remove the old pads, and put new ones in and put it back
together. If it's a 4x4 and you need to do the rotors it can be more
complicated, esp if it's the first time you've done a 4x4. For either
case it's worth buying a decent repair manual or as someone else
suggested, seeing if your library has an online subscription to a
repair manual. Usually the rears will last 2 to 3 times as many miles
as the fronts but YMMV. You should pull a wheel and take a look. A
lot of times the rears are more trouble then the fronts to work on due
to the emergency brake and rust.

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