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2020 ST BRAKES

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349
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289
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67
Location
The midwest
#21
Read. The. Service. Manual.
 

OP
S
Messages
71
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9
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7
Location
North Bergen, NJ, USA
Vehicle
2020 EXPLORER ST
Thread Starter #22
I would suggest taking it in. But make sure that your dealer has a good service department or you could use a good certified ASE shop.
I sent a text to my service rep at United Ford and they will do
the job on Monday. I rather pay with $$ than pay with my life or other. Thank you all for you advises....
 

Last edited:

BrooseDaMoose

1000 Post Club
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703
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162
Location
East Freetown, MA
Vehicle
2020 Explorer ST, Silver Spruce Metalic
#23
I sent a text to my service rep at United Ford and they will do t1
he job on Monday. I rather pay with $$ than pay with my life or other. Thank you all for you advises....
You’re welcome! That’s what we’re all here for.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

roycereal

New Member
Messages
11
Reactions
3
Points
2
Location
Rosbery Australia
Vehicle
2022 Ford Explorer ST
#24
Yo, those service manuals are gold. Always best to follow the official procedure, even if it seems like a hassle. Better safe than sorry with brakes, right?
 

Messages
79
Reactions
16
Points
7
Location
South Carolina
Vehicle
2022 Explorer ST
#25
That is incorrect. You put the car into Brake Service Mode and it automatically retracts the rear calipers then when you take it out of that mode it correctly sets the pad gap for the new pads. You don’t unhook the battery and you don’t use any tools to retract anything.
So by putting in service mode, I will not need a tool or anything to push in the pistons? I am doing pads for front and rear.
 

Messages
97
Reactions
50
Points
17
Location
Dallas, TX
Vehicle
2023 Explorer ST
#26
So by putting in service mode, I will not need a tool or anything to push in the pistons? I am doing pads for front and rear.
Service mode releases the parking brake. You'll still need to press the caliper pistons back into the caliper to make room for new pads. Whether you need a tool for this, that's up to you. I've always been able to use the old brake pad and squeeze with my hands. A big C clamp is also the default tool for many folks.

brakes.jpg
 

UNBROKEN

4000 Post Club
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Location
Houston, TX, USA
#27
So by putting in service mode, I will not need a tool or anything to push in the pistons? I am doing pads for front and rear.
You’ll need to compress the pistons on the front only. The rear will automatically retract when you put it into service mode.
 

Messages
52
Reactions
21
Points
7
Location
North West
Vehicle
2022 Explorer ST
#28
You may already know this but make sure you open the bleeder valve to release the pressure when you press the piston in. Don't force the fluid back through the system or you risk damaging the ABS unit.
 

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79
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16
Points
7
Location
South Carolina
Vehicle
2022 Explorer ST
#29
You may already know this but make sure you open the bleeder valve to release the pressure when you press the piston in. Don't force the fluid back through the system or you risk damaging the ABS unit.
Can you just open the reservoir cap and not worry about the screw?
 

Cruising68

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Location
Chicago, IL, USA
#30
Can you just open the reservoir cap and not worry about the screw?
No. It will push old fluid back into the system potentially clogging abs valves. Not 100% likely to screw something up but why take the chance. Also good to open the bleeder screws every so often so they don’t rust and seize up.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

OP
S
Messages
71
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9
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7
Location
North Bergen, NJ, USA
Vehicle
2020 EXPLORER ST
Thread Starter #31
Hi All,

I decided to take it the dealer and they took care of it for a great price...
 

Messages
79
Reactions
16
Points
7
Location
South Carolina
Vehicle
2022 Explorer ST
#32
Thank you all for the advice. Much appreciated.
 

OP
S
Messages
71
Reactions
9
Points
7
Location
North Bergen, NJ, USA
Vehicle
2020 EXPLORER ST
Thread Starter #33
Welcome.
I saw the issue with putting the Explorer in a safe mode etc... To complicated and I have an extended warranty and my friend is the service rep at a United Ford in NJ. They installed my rotors and pads rotated my tires checked my alignment all for $350.00 it was a no brainer.
 

Messages
388
Reactions
185
Points
37
Location
Socal
#34
You may already know this but make sure you open the bleeder valve to release the pressure when you press the piston in. Don't force the fluid back through the system or you risk damaging the ABS unit.
Always read two different things about this. Opening the bleeder can also be a big risk since you can get air in the brake lines as well.

The 2018 Ford Service Manual also doesnt state to open the bleeder cap nor does the Chevy service manual when changing the pads. Not saying its the incorrect way, just saying there might not be any need unless the fluid is old and bad.
 

UNBROKEN

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#35
In 40 years of brake jobs including numerous on this car I’ve never opened a bleeder to compress pistons. Pop off the reservoir cap and push them in slow…same process as has worked since the dawn of hydraulic brakes.
 



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