Installing New Rotors

Im about to install new rotors on my 2002 explorer. Ive done pads on other cars ive owned. I understand to take the calipers off and bang the rotor with a rubber hammer to get them off. They are not bolted on in any way. But my question is, I heard that there is a "film" on new rotors that you have to clean off with rubbing alcohol before putting them on your car. Is this true? and am i correct that there is nothing physically bolting the rotors on? Thanks

They are not bolted on just remove the caliper and claiper holding bracket. Never heard of film on fords, on inports they store them in oil. It would not hurt to clean them first

They are not bolted on just remove the caliper and claiper holding bracket. Never heard of film on fords, on inports they store them in oil. It would not hurt to clean them first

thanks..Yeah that was on a Nissan, in which they put a film on them... One last question. The Pads are relativly new. I was told that I should not replace the rotors without replacing the pads as well. How bad is this?

Most rotors are going to have a slight "film" on them out of the box. All you have to do is spray brake cleaner on them and wipe with a clean cloth. No big deal. Always best to replace both rotors and pads together. The pads may have some abnormal wear on them. I assume there is a problem for rotors to have to be replaced, so best to start out on new stuff. Sounds like the newer Explorers are a bit easier to deal with as far as brakes go. Just replaced my son's 91 Explorer rotors and pads. On his, you have to remove the hubs and remove the entire wheel assy including wheel bearings (which required a 30 dollar socket).

If you have 4 wheel disc brakes, the rear rotors contain the emergency brake pads. The rotors have a built in drum on the back side of the rotor so you'd need to back off the emergency pads before removing the rotor. Just a heads up so you're not killing yourself trying to remove the rotor if that's the case. Not a bad job at all.

take brake clean to the rotors be for you put them back on to the vehicle every new rotor has a film its recommended that you clean them with brake clean before you reinstall them.

Most rotors are going to have a slight "film" on them out of the box. All you have to do is spray brake cleaner on them and wipe with a clean cloth. No big deal. Always best to replace both rotors and pads together. The pads may have some abnormal wear on them. I assume there is a problem for rotors to have to be replaced, so best to start out on new stuff. Sounds like the newer Explorers are a bit easier to deal with as far as brakes go. Just replaced my son's 91 Explorer rotors and pads. On his, you have to remove the hubs and remove the entire wheel assy including wheel bearings (which required a 30 dollar socket).



Mr Gold, Was your exp 4wd? I have 2wd and do you have any suggestions?

Its was a 4x4. Best advice I could give is to be sure to have a manual on hand when doing this, use best parts you can afford, and clean rotors well with brake fluid b4 installing. Yours may be no big deal to do but on our old 91 we had to buy a $30 socket to remove nuts and it was a pain in the rear to do. I had factory manuals to help me as I had not done this before on a 4x4. The 91 required removing the hubs and a lot of other stuff. Had to clean bearrings, repack, replace grease seal, etc. a pain when it was cold outside.

Its was a 4x4. Best advice I could give is to be sure to have a manual on hand when doing this, use best parts you can afford, and clean rotors well with brake fluid b4 installing. Yours may be no big deal to do but on our old 91 we had to buy a $30 socket to remove nuts and it was a pain in the rear to do. I had factory manuals to help me as I had not done this before on a 4x4. The 91 required removing the hubs and a lot of other stuff. Had to clean bearrings, repack, replace grease seal, etc. a pain when it was cold outside.


Thank You Mr. Gold