How to Replace the Front Rotor on a Ford Ranger
by Mark Robinson
The Ford Ranger comes with front disc brakes as standard equipment. Like most other automobile components, the brake rotors can wear down over time. The rotors can also warp from excess heat. Excessively worn brake pads can cause the braking hardware to carve grooves into the brake rotor surface, causing the rotor to lose some of its braking performance. The front rotors should be changed when they begin to show signs of wear and eventual failure.
Step 1
Open the hood, and disconnect the negative terminal cable from the battery. Loosen the wheel's lug nuts with a lug wrench, and raise the front of the Ranger until the front wheels clear the ground. Support the vehicle with jack stands.
Step 2
Remove the lug nuts from the wheel, and slide the wheel off the axle. Use a ratchet and socket to remove the two mounting bolts from the caliper. Pull the caliper off the rotor, and suspend the caliper with mechanic's wire.
Step 3
Pry the dust cap from the spindle with a flat-head screwdriver. Pull the cotter pin out of the spindle nut with a pair of pliers, and use a crescent wrench to remove the spindle nut. Pull the bearing and race out of the spindle. Grasp the rotor, and pull it off the spindle.
Step 4
Pack the new bearings and race in a liberal amount of grease. Slide the rotor onto the spindle, and insert the bearing and race into the spindle. Tighten the spindle nut with a crescent wrench, and reinsert the cotter pin into the nut. Attach the dust cover over the spindle.
Step 5
Place the caliper over the brake rotor, and tighten the two caliper mounting bolts. Place the wheel onto the axle, and insert the lug nuts by hand. Remove the jack stands, and lower the vehicle to the ground.
Step 6
Tighten the lug nuts using a lug wrench. Reconnect the negative terminal cable to the battery, and close the hood.
References
- "Haynes Repair Manual: Ford Ranger and Mazda Pick-ups (1993-2010)"; John Haynes; 2010
Tips
- Having the caliper off the rotor gives you a good opportunity to change your inspect and change your brake pads.
Things You'll Need
- Brake rotor and bearings
- Crescent wrench
- Ratchet and socket set
- Pliers
- Mechanic's wire
- Lug wrench
- Flat-head screwdriver
- Packing grease
Warnings
- Always disconnect the negative battery cable before working on the vehicle. This will reduce the chance of shock and serious injury.
- Be careful when working on a raised vehicle. Make sure the jack stands can support the weight of the vehicle before working around or underneath it.
Writer Bio
Mark Robinson is a freelance graphic designer and writer. Since 2008 he has contributed to various online publications, specializing in topics concerning automotive repair, graphic design and computer technology. Robinson holds a Bachelor of Science in graphic design from Alabama A&M University.
