2018-2024 Ford Expedition Brake Guide

Ford Expedition brake replacement - photo

By Core Brake Parts Tech Team — Circleville, OH warehouse

Short answer: The 2018-2024 Ford Expedition runs 6-lug wheels with vented front and rear rotors (about 350 mm front, 342 mm rear) and an electronic parking brake built into the rear calipers. Retracting the rear pistons needs a scan tool or dash service mode. This guide walks through the exact diagnostic steps, replacement thresholds, product comparisons, and cost breakdown so you can decide with confidence whether to DIY or take it to a shop.

Direct experience note: we ship these parts daily from our Circleville, OH warehouse to customers across the country. The picks in this guide reflect what fits, what lasts, and what our repeat-buyer mechanics come back for.

Ford Expedition brake replacement - close up detail

What to Know About Ford Expedition Brake Replacement

Understanding Ford Expedition brake replacement matters because it directly affects stopping distance, brake pedal feel, and how often you replace consumables. Getting it right the first time saves both money and follow-up shop visits.

  • The 2018-2024 Expedition (fourth-gen U553) uses 6-lug wheels on a 6x135 mm bolt pattern.
  • Both front and rear rotors are vented discs, unlike many SUVs that run solid rear rotors.
  • Front rotors measure roughly 13.8 in (350 mm); rears about 13.5 in (342 mm).
  • It uses an electronic parking brake (EPB) with motors built into the rear calipers.
  • Retracting the rear pistons requires a scan tool or the dash EPB service mode.
  • Factory lug torque is 150 lb-ft (204 Nm); recheck after 50-100 miles of driving.

Spec Chart by Vehicle Class

Vehicle class Pad thickness Rotor thickness
Front rotors Vented disc, ~13.8 in (350 mm) Replace and machine as a pair
Rear rotors Vented disc, ~13.5 in (342 mm) Vented, not solid, on this platform
Lug pattern 6x135 mm, 6 lugs Torque 150 lb-ft (204 Nm)
Parking brake Electronic (EPB) Motor built into rear calipers
Rear service Scan tool or dash EPB mode Needed before retracting pistons

How to Diagnose or Replace

  1. Loosen the lug nuts, lift the SUV, support it on jack stands, then remove the wheels.
  2. Put the electronic parking brake in service mode before touching the rear calipers.
  3. Unbolt the caliper, hang it with wire, and lift out the old pads.
  4. Press front pistons in, but retract rear pistons using the scan tool or EPB mode.
  5. Remove the two caliper bracket bolts, then slide the old rotor off the hub.
  6. Clean the hub face, mount the new rotor, install pads, and torque all bolts.
  7. Remount wheels, torque lugs to 150 lb-ft, exit EPB service mode, then pump the pedal.

Once diagnosis is complete, order the exact replacement parts for your vehicle - fitment matters. Related Ford Expedition brake replacement products are listed in the next section.

Mechanic working on Ford Expedition brake replacement - install scene

Recommended Parts and Where to Buy

Every product below is in stock at our Circleville, OH warehouse and ships same-day when ordered before 2 PM Eastern. Free shipping on orders over $75.

If your exact vehicle is not listed, use the site search or filter the full brake parts collection by year and make.

Cost Breakdown - DIY vs Shop

Job DIY parts only Shop parts and labor
Front pads only $40-$90 $180-$320 at a shop
Front pads + rotors $140-$300 $400-$650 at a shop
Rear pads + rotors $150-$320 $420-$680 at a shop
All four, pads + rotors $300-$600 $800-$1,300 at a shop

DIY savings scale with vehicle size and job complexity. A full-size truck brake job saves $450-700 in labor. For most passenger cars, plan on 90-120 minutes per axle for pads only, 2-3 hours for pads plus rotors.

Install Tips - Where Most DIYers Go Wrong

  • Put the EPB into service mode with a scan tool before retracting rear pistons, or you risk motor damage.
  • Torque lug nuts to 150 lb-ft in a star pattern, then recheck after 50-100 miles.
  • Bed in new pads with 8-10 moderate stops from about 35 mph, then let the brakes cool fully.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the short answer on Ford Expedition brake replacement?

The 2018-2024 Ford Expedition runs 6-lug wheels with vented front and rear rotors (about 350 mm front, 342 mm rear) and an electronic parking brake built into the rear calipers. Retracting the rear pistons needs a scan tool or dash service mode.

How much does Ford Expedition brake replacement cost?

It depends on your vehicle and how much you replace. For example, front pads only runs about $40-$90 in parts for a DIY job, or $180-$320 at a shop at a shop with labor included. The full cost breakdown is in the table above.

What should I check first?

Key things to check: The 2018-2024 Expedition (fourth-gen U553) uses 6-lug wheels on a 6x135 mm bolt pattern; Both front and rear rotors are vented discs, unlike many SUVs that run solid rear rotors.

Can I do this job myself?

Many DIYers can with basic tools. The first steps are: Loosen the lug nuts, lift the SUV, support it on jack stands, then remove the wheels; Put the electronic parking brake in service mode before touching the rear calipers; Unbolt the caliper, hang it with wire, and lift out the old pads. The complete step-by-step is above.

Key Takeaways

  • The 2018-2024 Ford Expedition runs 6-lug wheels with vented front and rear rotors (about 350 mm front, 342 mm rear) and an electronic parking brake built into the rear calipers. Retracting the rear pistons needs a scan tool or dash service mode.
  • Measure friction material and rotor thickness at every tire rotation - catches wear before it becomes damage.
  • Replace pads at 3 mm; below 2 mm is unsafe.
  • Loaded calipers (with brackets, pads, and hoses) save 1-1.5 hours of labor per side over bare calipers.
  • Bed new pads properly with 8-10 medium stops from 40 to 10 mph.
  • Free shipping on orders over $75; same-day shipping on in-stock orders before 2 PM Eastern.

References

  1. en.wikipedia.org
  2. tirerack.com
  3. tirerack.com
  4. tirerack.com

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