For the brake system on a vehicle to perform properly, the brake pads need to be replaced periodically. It is important to change the rear pads on your Ford Explorer before they wear too thin to prevent damage to the rotors. With some brake knowledge, you can change the rear brakes of your Explorer. You can purchase replacement rear brake pads from a local auto parts store and save time and money.
Park the vehicle on level ground. Put the vehicle in gear and place blocks in front of the front wheels to prevent it from rolling.
Open the hood of the vehicle. Remove half of the brake fluid from the master cylinder using a syringe. The master cylinder is located in front of the steering wheel on the metal firewall that separates the engine and the body of the vehicle. It is a metal cylinder with a plastic container on top that holds the brake fluid. Dispose of the brake fluid properly.
Loosen the lug nuts from the rear wheels of the vehicle using a lug wrench.
Raise the rear of the vehicle using a floor jack. Place jack stands beneath the vehicle for support.
Remove the lug nuts and wheels from the vehicle.
Remove the caliper bolts from the back of the caliper using a socket wrench.
Slide the caliper off the disc brake. Use a piece of wire to suspend the caliper housing near the disc brake to prevent damage to the hose.
Remove the two brake pads, inner and outer, from the caliper.
Place a large C-clamp over the brake caliper and clamp the ends against the rear caliper body and a small block of wood against the caliper piston. Tighten the clamp to compress the piston into the caliper bore. Remove the C-clamp and small block of wood.
Insert the inner brake pad into the caliper and snap it into place. Press the spring into the piston. Slide one end of the outer brake pad into the caliper. Rotate the pad into place until the springs are seated.
Place new shoe slippers on the rear disc brake adapter located behind the rotor. Attach the caliper to the disc rotor.
Place the wheels onto the vehicle. Loosely place the lug nuts onto the wheel studs.
Raise the rear of the vehicle with the floor jack and remove the jack stands from beneath the vehicle and lower to the ground.
Tighten the lug nuts onto the wheel studs using a lug wrench.
Replace any brake fluid that was removed from the master cylinder.
Season the brake pads. Make gentle stops while driving for the first week after brake installation.
