Brakes help
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Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 60
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Brakes help
So the local schwabs tells me I need brakes which i do, just didn't realize how badly. They are getting worn down. They said about 2mm left.
Who makes good brakes/rotors. Where should I buy them? What kinda costs am I looking at. How easy is it to change them out? Im gonna end up having to do it myself so that kinda sucks. Any tutorials out there? Tips tricks. Its been awhile since i had to be a mechanic
Who makes good brakes/rotors. Where should I buy them? What kinda costs am I looking at. How easy is it to change them out? Im gonna end up having to do it myself so that kinda sucks. Any tutorials out there? Tips tricks. Its been awhile since i had to be a mechanic
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 166
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From: Tampa-ish
So the local schwabs tells me I need brakes which i do, just didn't realize how badly. They are getting worn down. They said about 2mm left.
Who makes good brakes/rotors. Where should I buy them? What kinda costs am I looking at. How easy is it to change them out? Im gonna end up having to do it myself so that kinda sucks. Any tutorials out there? Tips tricks. Its been awhile since i had to be a mechanic
Who makes good brakes/rotors. Where should I buy them? What kinda costs am I looking at. How easy is it to change them out? Im gonna end up having to do it myself so that kinda sucks. Any tutorials out there? Tips tricks. Its been awhile since i had to be a mechanic
Make sure you are in Brake Service Mode before you remove the rear calipers
According to the service manual, entering the brake service mode is required before changing any of the brake pads, rotors, or calipers (this is not a complete list). It is not just for the electronic parking brake on 2021+ F150s.
Activation
WARNING: Service actions on vehicles equipped with electronic parking brakes may cause unexpected parking brake application, which could result in injury to hands or fingers. Put the electronic parking brake system into service mode prior to servicing or removing rear brake components. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious personal injury.
WARNING: Service actions on vehicles equipped with electronic brake booster without activating the brake system service mode may result in unexpected hydraulic brake application or a false leak detection DTC. This will significantly reduce the performance of the brake system. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious personal injury.
NOTE: Brake service mode is also known as brake maintenance mode.
NOTE: Prior to carrying out the brake service mode activation steps below, clear all EPB and EBB related DTC's.
NOTE: Carry out the following service mode activation procedure to deactivate the EPB and EBB systems. The EPB and EBB system can also be deactivated using the diagnostic scan tool and following the on-screen instructions.
NOTE: This mode is required to deactivate the brake boost and to allow the entire brake system to be bleed manually.
NOTE: This mode will cause all the associated brake warning indicators and text messages to appear.
Deactivation
NOTICE: The brake system performance will be significantly reduced when the brake system is put in service mode.
NOTE: Carry out the following Brake Maintenance Mode deactivation procedure to activate the EBB and EPB systems. These systems can also be activated using the diagnostic scan tool and following the on-screen instructions.
WARNING: Service actions on vehicles equipped with electronic parking brakes may cause unexpected parking brake application, which could result in injury to hands or fingers. Put the electronic parking brake system into service mode prior to servicing or removing rear brake components. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious personal injury.
WARNING: Service actions on vehicles equipped with electronic brake booster without activating the brake system service mode may result in unexpected hydraulic brake application or a false leak detection DTC. This will significantly reduce the performance of the brake system. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious personal injury.
NOTE: Brake service mode is also known as brake maintenance mode.
NOTE: Prior to carrying out the brake service mode activation steps below, clear all EPB and EBB related DTC's.
NOTE: Carry out the following service mode activation procedure to deactivate the EPB and EBB systems. The EPB and EBB system can also be deactivated using the diagnostic scan tool and following the on-screen instructions.
NOTE: This mode is required to deactivate the brake boost and to allow the entire brake system to be bleed manually.
NOTE: This mode will cause all the associated brake warning indicators and text messages to appear.
- Set the ignition to ON.
- Press the brake pedal and release the EPB .
- Release the brake pedal.
- Press and hold the accelerator pedal and place the EPB switch to the RELEASE (downward) position. Continue to hold the accelerator pedal and EPB switch.
- Set the ignition to OFF then set the ignition to ON within 5 seconds. Continue to hold the accelerator pedal and the EPB switch.
- Set the ignition to OFF then release the accelerator pedal and EPB switch.
- NOTE: The brake system will be deactivated, preventing brake application until service has been completed and service mode has been deactivated. The yellow EPB indicator will be illuminated and Maintenance Mode will display on the message center.
- NOTE: When replacing brake pads in service mode, the brake caliper piston must be compressed into the caliper housing. The brake caliper piston does not have to be rotated while compressing the piston.
Deactivation
NOTICE: The brake system performance will be significantly reduced when the brake system is put in service mode.
NOTE: Carry out the following Brake Maintenance Mode deactivation procedure to activate the EBB and EPB systems. These systems can also be activated using the diagnostic scan tool and following the on-screen instructions.
- Set the ignition to ON.
- Press and hold the accelerator pedal.
- Place the EPB switch in the APPLY (upward) position. Continue to hold the accelerator pedal and the EPB switch.
- Firmly press the brake pedal for at least 1 second. Release the brake pedal while continuing to hold the accelerator pedal and the EPB switch.
- Set the ignition to OFF then set the ignition to ON within 5 seconds, then release the accelerator pedal and the EPB switch.
- NOTE: Once the ignition is set to ON, the EPB system will immediately apply and release the parking brake to guarantee sufficient air gap between the rear brake pads and brake disc. If the EPB switch is not released prior to completion of this sequence, it will apply the EPB . The EPB will have to released prior to moving the vehicle.
- NOTE: When Brake Maintenance Mode is deactivated, the Yellow Parking Brake and Red Brake Warning Indicators turn off and "Brake Maintenance Mode" no longer displays in the message center.
There are three versions of the rear brakes, 336mm light-duty (Super 8.8" rear axle), 336mm medium-duty (semi-float 9.75" rear axle), and 350mm heavy-duty (3/4 float 9.75" rear axle). If you're just ordering pads and rotors knowing if the rear brakes are 336mm or 350mm is enough, if you replace the calipers you need to know which specific version you have. Brakes listed as fitting the max tow package should be 350mm.
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The ML3Z-2001-C front pads are for police package vehicles, these offer significantly reduced braking compared to the ML3Z-2001-B pads your truck was likely built with (FF friction code vs FH), and they are more expensive. The BRF-2032 (ML3Z-2200-E) rear pads appear correct and they are the stock high friction pads (GG friction rating). The BRRF432 (ML3Z-2C026-C) rotors are 350mm rear rotors that should be correct for your truck. The BRRF479 (ML1Z-1125-D) front rotors should be correct fro your truck.
I should also mention that some of the bolts you will need to remove are one-time use and should always be replaced during a brake job. The rear caliper bolts need to be replaced, but the rear pads come with new bolts so you're good there. The front brake caliper anchor plate bolts need to be replaced, you need 4 in total, and the part number is W720613S439.
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Joined: Aug 2025
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There are three versions of the rear brakes, 336mm light-duty (Super 8.8" rear axle), 336mm medium-duty (semi-float 9.75" rear axle), and 350mm heavy-duty (3/4 float 9.75" rear axle). If you're just ordering pads and rotors knowing if the rear brakes are 336mm or 350mm is enough, if you replace the calipers you need to know which specific version you have. Brakes listed as fitting the max tow package should be 350mm.
I have a 2025 F150 Regular Cab XL model with 4x4 and the 5.0 engine. I have the hitch and receiver, but i am not sure if it has the max tow package. I tried searching by VIN online but came up empty.