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dennislanier's avatar
dennislanier
Explorer
Jul 24, 2017

Front rotors on E450 Chassis

Anyone know of a good SPECIFIC video on youtube or somewhere else for replacing front rotors and pads on 04 Ford E450 motorhome? I have done several searches but so far have not found anything but later model stuff etc. I want to do mine soon but would like to know exactly what I am getting into before proceeding. For instance, is the rotor separate from the hub etc. Anyone who has done this themselves please give me whatever information you have about this job.
  • You shouldn't need pads or rotors at 19K unless someone drove with their foot on the brake. Maybe around 119K.
  • Thanks j-d for the information. I will check out this website if I need to get new rotors. My first order of business is to jack the beast up and remove the wheels to see what I am dealing with. This MH only has 19K miles but is almost 14 years old so I want to check everything out. Thanks again.
  • j-d's avatar
    j-d
    Explorer II
    To change Pads and Calipers ONLY, Very Easy.
    https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/listings/forum/39.cfm
    Loosen Lugs, Jack Up, Support Axle on Stands/Jacks, Remove Wheel

    Pry the Caliper inboard so it compresses the Piston, Loosening the Pads

    Remove Caliper Slide Bolts, may be hex nuts or internal TORX

    Prepare Brake Line Caps. I used short pieces of wiper hose with a golf tee in the end

    Disconnect Hose at Chassis and Cap Immediately, unclip Hose from ABS wire, use a Tubing Wrench to Loosen and Tighten the Hose Fitting

    Lift Caliper, Hose and Pads off the Caliper Mounting Bracket

    Replace ALL those Parts, Hose Included

    Apply Brake Lubricant such as

    Reassemble

    Siphon brake fluid out of Master Cylinder till Reservoir is almost BUT NOT empty, then FILL with NEW Fluid

    Bleed Brakes NEVER ALLOWING MASTER CYLINDER TO GO EMPTY!!!

    Reinstall Wheel, set on Ground, Torque Nuts to 140

    Only moderate braking till Pads settle in

    To remove ROTORS, you need a 21mm socket/wrench, 13/16" may fit if you get all the rust off the bolt heads, 7/8" SIX Point may also work, and they are TIGHT, about the same as those Wheel Nuts at 140

    Remove Caliper Bracket Bolts and Bracket, then Dust Cap and Bearing Nuts/Bearings/Seals etc to re-pack your Bearings

    If you need to Re-Surface or to Replace your ROTORS, I suggest you find late model take-off parts from a 4x4 conversion outfit. The parts will cost no more than a "complete" brake job of Rotors, Bearings, Hoses, Calipers, and Pads. You get all-new, Bigger and Better Brakes that are Plug and Play. I didn't even re-pack the Bearings.

    Nearest to you is UJoint in Fletcher NC near I-26 about 20 miles your side of Asheville. E350 and E450 dual rear wheel vehicles "donate" the same front brakes.

    I got my "kit" from Quigley Motors in central PA, and I got axles and all. That provides all-new Ball Joints, Bushings, and an upgraded Radius Arm design. They crated it and I arranged shipping. The palletized carton weight 400 lb and fit in my compact pickup.