New to the Forum and searched everywhere online for an answer.

I have a 2008 F150 XLT 4.6L 4x4.

I need to change my front rotors and pads. I have only done this once in January 2013. I can easily do the back with no problem, but isn't there something different with the front brake assembly on a 4x4? Isn't there an extra step or something extra to take off? I vaguely remember this when I changed them last time. I haven't taken off the tires yet, but plan to this weekend. I just want to be prepared.
I have the rotors with no spindle nut.

Also, do I need to take the cap off the brake fluid reservoir and also bleed the brakes after changing the rotors and pads?

Thanks for the help!

 

No you do not need to bleed brakes only time you bleed brakes is when you remove calipers. You just need to unbolt caliper hang it on lower control arm. Unbolt the caliper bracket and the rotor pops right off. Then put the puppy back together.

 

It's not actually "brake bleeding" it's just removing the master cylinder cap and stuffing a rag around the reservoir, so when you compress the caliper piston to fit the new pads in you are forcing fluid backwards into the reservoir which will over flow. Once the pads and rotors are installed and tested you can add fluid to the factory spec level.

 

OK. Thanks. I know how to change the pads and rotors. I just thought I remember another obstacle when replacing rotors on the front of my 4WD. Like another bracket.
I am replacing the rear rotors and pads tonight, so I will try to pop one of the front tires off and take a picture or describe what I'm looking at.

I guess I am asking if all 4 rotor and pad changes are exactly the same.
Back replacement is easy enough, but I remember the front being more difficult.

 

I'm pretty sure you can re-use the spindle nut on the 4x4 hub. The 2WD nuts are the one-time use. The 4x4 spindle nut is such low torque, I don't see why it would be intended for one-time use. I looked at a bunch of youtube vids. None I watched used a new nut on the 4x4s. Re-use was only with the 2WD spindle nut.

 

If you have to open the calipers to get them back on and you have ABS, DO NOT force the fluid back through the calipers. This can cause a problem with the ABS sensors.

Open the bleed screw on the caliper and let the fluid escape there. Then refill master cylinder if needed. You will not need to bleed if you close the bleeder as soon as you have enough of an opening to get them over the new rotors.

 

dont take the spindle nut off there is no need to.