I'm going to replace the front brake pads on my 05 FX4 soon. Would it be a good idea to have the rotors turned also? Can anyone give me the rotor thickness spec so I can verify they can be turned down and remain within tolerance?

 

There's GOBS of material there. whenever you replace pads, you should resurface/turn the rotors. Since there's gobs of material, you won't have any issues. Unless your stock discs are warped. I had mine turned twice...still gobs of material left. I'll see if i can find those specs somewhere.

 

The specs should be stamped on the rotors.

 

Thanks guys. The rotors aren't warped, so I should be fine with just turning them. Does anyone have a "How to" on removing rotors on a 05 FX4 and maybe the torque specs for the caliper mounting bracket and nut at the end of the spindle (or anything else that should be torqued)? I have a Haynes manual for my previous 97 Ranger, but haven't bought a book for the 05.

 

REALLY REALLY easy to remove on 4x4's...



Wheel off, caliper off(14mm wrench, 2 bolts), hang caliper away somewhere, caliper mounting bracket off(15mm wrench, 2 bolts). Then just slide the disc off. Install is reverse. Remember to use red locktite on those caliper bracket mounting bolts....the like to walk out.


You may have the stock retaining washer thingys that you need to brake off. It holds the disc to the hub/bearing unit during assembly on the line.

 

So you don't have to remove any part of the hub on a 4x4? Nice

 

Be sure to replace the metal slider clips that attach to the calipers and lightly grease the contact points associated with those clips. Same for the slider pins, remove the rubber boots, clean and regrease the pins.

 

What type of grease is best to use?

 

Nope! the wheel studs are part of the hub assy. and the rotor slides right over the studs. A rotor swap would seriously take like 20 mins.

 

I pulled the front calipers tonight and it was as easy as can be. The pads and rotors seem to be in excellent shape-the pads look nearly new and are as thick as the brand new Autozone pads. I put it all back together after that. I'm still puzzled where the squeal is coming from since the front brakes seem to be fine.

 

Try scuffing up the pads and scratching lines in the rotor in a pattern like slotted rotors. Thats what I did to mine and it helped.