How to change/replace brake pads for 2023 Ford F-150?

Here is the full 2023 Ford F-150 Brake Pads Guide – By Model / Powertrain with critical safety protocols Ford Techs use.

2023 FORD F-150 BRAKE PADS – COMPLETE MODEL-SPECIFIC GUIDE

1. Identify Your 2023 Model – Brakes Are NOT The Same

2023 has 3 different brake systems:

2. Critical Safety Protocols (Ford Official)

READ THIS BEFORE TOUCHING ANYTHING:

A. General Safety – All 2023 Models:

1. Work on level concrete, chock opposite wheels, use jack stands — never only a jack
2. Engine OFF, key fob 15ft away from truck to prevent auto EPB engagement
3. Wear safety glasses + nitrile gloves — brake dust contains metal
4. DO NOT inhale brake dust, use brake cleaner, not compressed air
5. After job: Pump pedal 5 times BEFORE shifting to Drive, or you will have zero brakes

B. PowerBoost Hybrid Specific – HIGH VOLTAGE DANGER:

1. PowerBoost has electric brake booster that can prime even with truck OFF. Disable it:
– Open hood, disconnect 12V negative battery (in rear under seat for PowerBoost)
– Wait 5 minutes for capacitor discharge
2. Do NOT open driver door during job — it triggers brake pump
3. If you get RED brake warning, you need dealer scan tool to bleed

C. Lightning (Electric) Specific:

1. Turn OFF One-Pedal Driving in touchscreen
2. Pull high-voltage disconnect loop in frunk is NOT needed for pads, but DO disconnect 12V negative under frunk panel
3. Lightning is 6500+ lbs — use 3-ton minimum jack

D. Raptor / Tremor Off-Road:

– Remove wheel well debris, calipers pack with mud — clean slide pins thoroughly or they seize
– Blue Loctite 243 on caliper bracket bolts due to vibration

3. All Parts Needed for 2023 by Model

For XL/XLT/Lariat 2.7L/5.0L:
– Front Pads: Motorcraft BRF-1585 / PowerStop Z36-1585
– Rear Pads: BRF-1768
– Hardware: Carlson H5846 Front, H6216 Rear
– Fluid: DOT 4 LV (Low Viscosity) PM-20 – 2023 requires LV only

For 3.5L EcoBoost / PowerBoost / Platinum / Limited:
– Front Pads: BRF-2039 (Heavy Duty version)
– Rear Pads: BRF-2002
– Same hardware but heavy-duty shims

For Raptor / Raptor R / Tremor:
– Front Pads: BRF-2075 (Raptor specific high-temp)
– Rear Pads: BRF-1768
– Rotors often drilled – replace as set if grooved

For Lightning:
– Front Pads: ML3Z-2001-C (Electric specific low-noise)
– Rear Pads: ML3Z-2200-B

4. Model-Specific Replacement Steps

Step 1: Enter EPB Service Mode (All 2023 models – MANDATORY)

This is critical. If you skip, you will destroy $450 EPB motor.

Method without scanner (works on all 2023):

1. Ignition ON (press START without brake)
2. Press gas pedal to floor + hold
3. While holding gas, press and HOLD EPB switch DOWN (release position) for 5 seconds
4. Keep holding gas + EPB, press START to OFF, then immediately back to ON
5. Dash shows “Park Brake Maintenance Mode”
6. Release gas and switch

With scanner: Tools > EPB > Service Mode

Step 2: Front Axle (Same for all models)

1. Loosen lugs 21mm, lift, jack stands, remove wheel
2. Remove caliper bolts 13mm, hang caliper
3. Remove old pads + clips, wire brush bracket
4. Clean, grease new clips with silicone grease
5. Compress front piston straight back with C-clamp — open brake fluid cap to ease pressure
6. Install pads, reinstall caliper, torque to 27 ft-lbs
7. Bracket bolts (if rotor change): 184 ft-lbs XL/XLT, 184 ft-lbs Raptor

Step 3: Rear Axle (EPB – Different)

1. After service mode, rear piston is retracted but still needs screwing
2. Remove caliper bolts 13mm
3. Use wind-back tool to SCREW piston clockwise while pushing — DO NOT just push
4. Install new hardware + pads
5. Torque caliper bolts 27 ft-lbs, bracket bolts 122 ft-lbs

Step 4: Exit Service Mode & Relearn

1. Install wheels, lower, torque lugs 150 ft-lbs all models
2. Reconnect 12V if disconnected
3. Exit EPB mode: Ignition ON, hold gas, PULL EPB switch UP 5 seconds until “Normal Mode”
4. Press brake pedal 5 times slowly, hold 10 sec on last press
5. For PowerBoost/Lightning: Start truck, you will hear booster pump hum 3-5 sec — normal
6. Check for lights: No ABS, no BRAKE light should remain

5. Bed-In & Torque Specs for 2023

Torque Chart 2023:
– Lug Nuts ALL models: 150 ft-lbs
– Front Caliper Slide: 27 ft-lbs
– Rear Caliper Slide: 27 ft-lbs
– Front Bracket: 184 ft-lbs
– Rear Bracket: 122 ft-lbs

Bed-In (Critical for Warranty):
– Do 5 moderate stops 30mph to 5mph
– Do 3 hard stops 50mph to 20mph without full stop
– Drive 5 min to cool, no hard braking for 200 miles
– Lightning: Do bed-in with 1-pedal OFF

6. Final Safety Check List (Do Not Skip)

– [ ] Fluid level between MIN/MAX
– [ ] No leaks at caliper
– [ ] Pedal firm before driving
– [ ] No warning lights
– [ ] Pumped brakes before moving
– [ ] EPB holds on incline
– [ ] Torque wrench used on all bolts

When to STOP and go to dealer: Brake pedal goes to floor, ABS light stays on, EPB won’t exit service mode, or red brake warning on PowerBoost/Lightning.

Below is a complete procedure for replacing the front or rear brake pads on a 2023 Ford F-150.

Step 1: Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) Service Mode (Crucial for Rear Brakes)

Before jacking up the truck or loosening bolts, place the rear calipers into maintenance mode to retract the electronic parking actuator.

Turn ignition ON (Engine OFF).
Press and hold the accelerator pedal fully to the floor.
Press and hold the Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) switch DOWN (in the release position).
Turn the ignition OFF, then back ON within 5 seconds while keeping the pedal and switch held down.
Watch the instrument cluster display until a yellow parking brake indicator lights up alongside a message confirming “Brake Maintenance Mode Active.”
Turn ignition OFF.

Step 2: Vehicle Preparation & Safety

Park on a flat, level concrete surface and block the front wheels if working on the rear (or vice versa).
Open the hood and remove the cap from the brake fluid reservoir. Monitored fluid displacement prevents overflow when pushing pistons back.
Loosen lug nuts slightly while the truck is on the ground.
Jack up the truck at factory-recommended frame jack points and secure it on jack stands. Never rely solely on a floor jack.
Remove the lug nuts and wheel.

Step 3: Caliper & Pad Removal

Disconnect Brake Wear Sensor / Electric Harnesses: If working on rear brakes or equipped models, unclip electrical harness connectors carefully to prevent wire strain.
Remove Caliper Guide Pin Bolts: Hold the slide pin with an open-end wrench (usually 15mm or 17mm) to keep it from spinning while using a socket (usually 13mm or 14mm) to remove the mounting bolts.
Lift & Secure Caliper: Lift the caliper off the bracket. Do not let it hang by the rubber brake hose. Hang it from the coil spring or frame using a brake caliper hanger tool or heavy zip tie.
Remove Old Pads & Hardware: Slide out the inner and outer brake pads. Pop out the stainless steel anti-rattle clips/hardware from the bracket.

Step 4: Cleaning & Surface Preparation

Clean Hardware Seats: Use a wire brush and brake cleaner to scrub rust and brake dust off the caliper bracket where the hardware clips sit.
Install New Abutment Clips: Press new stainless steel hardware clips securely onto the caliper bracket seats.
Lube Contact Points: Apply a thin film of high-temperature silicone brake grease to the clip contact surfaces where pad ears rest, as well as caliper slide pins. Keep grease away from the friction face of the pads and the rotor surface.
Inspect Slide Pins: Ensure guide pins compress and rebound smoothly inside their rubber boots. If dry, pull, clean, and lubricate them with brake caliper grease.

Step 5: Piston Compression & Pad Installation

Compress Caliper Pistons:
- Front Calipers (Dual-Piston): Use a quad/dual piston compression tool or a brake pad spreader to press both pistons back evenly into the caliper housing.
- Rear Calipers (EPB Active): Because the truck is in Brake Maintenance Mode, the pistons can be pushed straight back using a standard caliper tool. Do not twist or force them manually without EPB mode active.
Install New Pads: Fit new brake pads into the hardware clips on the caliper bracket. Ensure friction material faces inward toward the rotor face.

Step 6: Reassembly & Torque Specifications

Lower the caliper carefully over the new pads.
Thread guide pin bolts by hand to avoid cross-threading.
Torque Specifications (Standard 2021–2023 F-150 guidelines):
- Caliper Guide Pin Bolts: 27–32 lb-ft (37–43 Nm)
- Caliper Bracket-to-Knuckle Bolts (if removing rotors): 133–148 lb-ft (180–200 Nm)
Reinstall wheel, hand-tighten lug nuts, lower vehicle, and torque lug nuts in a star pattern to 150 lb-ft (204 Nm).

Step 7: Exit EPB Service Mode & Final Checks

Turn ignition ON (Engine OFF).
Press and hold the accelerator pedal fully to the floor.
Pull and hold the Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) switch UP (in the engage position).
Turn ignition OFF, then back ON within 5 seconds while holding both.
The cluster will state “Brake Maintenance Mode Deactivated.”
Pump Brake Pedal: Before starting the truck or driving, pump the brake pedal 4–5 times until firm pressure builds.

Bedding in (or burnishing) new brake pads deposits an even transfer layer of friction material onto the brake rotor surface. This prevents brake squeal, eliminates pedal pulsation, and ensures maximum stopping power.

Prerequisites & Safety Rules

Location: Find an open, safe stretch of road or a large empty parking lot where you can safely accelerate and slow down without impeding traffic.
The Golden Rule: Do not come to a complete stop while the brakes are extremely hot during the bedding cycle. Holding the brake pedal down while stopped melted friction material onto one spot on the rotor, causing uneven deposits that feel like a warped rotor later.
Safety Check: Before starting, verify pedal firmness at low speed (5–10 mph) in your driveway.

Step-by-Step Bedding Procedure

1.Perform Moderate Slowdowns (Moderate Speed):Initial seating.

Accelerate your F-150 up to 35 mph, then apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal to slow down to about 10 mph. Do not engage ABS or lock up the tires. Repeat this 4 to 5 times, accelerating back to 35 mph between each slowdown.

2.Perform Firm Slowdowns (Higher Speed):High-temp transfer layer creation.

Accelerate up to 55 mph, then apply aggressive pressure to brake hard down to 15 mph. Repeat this 3 to 4 times. You may smell the brake compound “cooking” or notice mild off-gassing—this is completely normal as the resins cure.

3.Drive for Cool-Down:Thermal stabilization.

Drive continuously for 5 to 10 minutes at normal highway or cruising speed without using the brakes (or using them as lightly as possible). The air flowing through the vented rotors allows the pads and rotors to cool down evenly without sticking together.

Verification & What to Expect Next

Visual Check: Look through your wheel spokes at the rotor face. A properly bedded rotor will have a slight greyish, uniform film across the entire sweep area instead of bright bare metal.
First 100 Miles: Avoid sudden emergency stops or heavy towing for the first 100 miles if possible to allow the pad material to fully stabilize.