my Ford Explorer makes a grinding sound when I brake what should I check

Solution

1. Preparation

• Gather necessary tools and parts.
• Park the vehicle on a flat surface and engage the parking brake.
• Wear safety gear such as gloves and goggles.

2. Remove Wheel Assembly

• Loosen lug nuts with a socket wrench (do not fully remove yet).
• Raise the vehicle using a jack and secure it with jack stands.
• Remove the lug nuts and take off the wheel.

3. Inspect and Replace Brake Pads

• Remove the caliper bolts using a socket wrench.
• Carefully slide the caliper off the rotor.
• Inspect brake pads for wear; if worn below 1/8 inch, replace them.
  • Replacement Sub-steps:
    • Remove the old pads and clean the caliper bracket.
    • Install new pads, ensuring they are properly seated.

4. Inspect and Replace Brake Rotors (if necessary)

• Check the rotor surface for scoring or warping.
• If damaged, remove the rotor by taking off the retaining screws (if applicable) and sliding it off the hub.
  • Replacement Sub-steps:
    • Install a new rotor, ensuring it is clean and properly aligned.

5. Reassemble Braking System

• Reattach the caliper over the new pads and rotor.
• Tighten caliper bolts to manufacturer specifications (typically 25-35 ft-lbs).
• Reinstall the wheel and hand-tighten lug nuts.

6. Lower Vehicle and Final Checks

• Lower the vehicle off the jack stands and tighten lug nuts in a star pattern to proper torque specifications.
• Pump the brake pedal several times to seat new pads.