Stainless Steel Brake Install - Tech

The new kit included everything we needed to help the Expedition stop on a dime. New 14-inch rotors, anodized four-piston calipers, new hubs, pads, and hardware made the kit complete.

The new kit included everything we needed to help the Expedition stop on a dime. New 14-in

It was a no-brainer when we needed to upgrade brakes on a '98 Expedition to make a phone call to Stainless Steel Brakes, a company with a strong heritage in performance braking and developing new products. We were sure with the extensive amount of products Stainless offers, it would be no problem to locate a new performance brake kit for the dropped and 20-inch-wheel-rollin' Expedition.

The original brakes looked too small for our tastes, and stopping distances were not acceptable for this low-rollin' Expedition

The original brakes looked too small for our tastes, and stopping distances were not accep

After hearing our requirements, Stainless sent us its Force-10 kit, PN A165-1, designed for maximum braking and aggressive looks. The kit included new four-piston anodized calipers, slotted and plated 14-inch rotors, new performance pads, hub bearing assemblies, hardware, and even new fluid.

The Expedition was dropped off at Pro Audio Motorsport in Torrance, California. After a couple of hours, Phil Lee, shop owner and installer, had the Expedition stopping and looking great. Read on as we take you through the install. Be sure to check out Stainless' Web site for more information.

To start the install, Phil removed the front wheel and tire.
With the wheel off, we noticed a previous attempt to upgrade the brakes with small-sized slotted rotors and some really bad blue
With the wheel off, we noticed a previous attempt to upgrade the brakes with small-sized s
After laughing at the wannabe paint, Phil pinched the rubber brake hose to ensure no fluid leakage.
After laughing at the wannabe paint, Phil pinched the rubber brake hose to ensure no fluid

The caliper bolts were located on the top and bottom on the backside of the rotor.
Using a ratchet, Phil removed the caliper bolts, then pulled off the caliper and pads. These parts were trashed because the kit comes complete with all new pieces.
Using a ratchet, Phil removed the caliper bolts, then pulled off the caliper and pads. The
The front outer wheel bearing was held on by a cotter pin and flat washer. With the dust cover removed, Phil loosened the spindle nut and cotter pin.
The front outer wheel bearing was held on by a cotter pin and flat washer. With the dust c

The outer bearing was removed, and the hub/rotor assembly simply pulled off of the spindle. They were careful to pull straight back and supported the assembly to avoid shaft pitting and scaring.
The outer bearing was removed, and the hub/rotor assembly simply pulled off of the spindle
Phil then removed the caliper mounting bracket and cleaned the surfaces for the new Stainless parts.
Phil then removed the caliper mounting bracket and cleaned the surfaces for the new Stainl
Up next, Phil mounted the new caliper bracket and torqued the bolts down to the required specs, using a 1/2-inch torque wrench.
Up next, Phil mounted the new caliper bracket and torqued the bolts down to the required s

The new hub bearing assemblies were the installed and prepped for rotor mounting.
The original spindle nut was reused and a new cotter pin installed to keep the freshly packed bearings from shifting.
The original spindle nut was reused and a new cotter pin installed to keep the freshly pac
The new Stainless Steel Brake rotor comes in two pieces. Here, Phil attaches the hat (in blue) to the rotor. By using two pieces, the assembly is lighter and looks truly race-ready.
The new Stainless Steel Brake rotor comes in two pieces. Here, Phil attaches the hat (in b

With the rotor on the hub bearing, the new anodized four-piston caliper was mounted and secured.
With the rotor on the hub bearing, the new anodized four-piston caliper was mounted and se
SSB includes high-performance brake pads in all its kits. Phil installed the pads and checked for fitment.
SSB includes high-performance brake pads in all its kits. Phil installed the pads and chec
After a quick check, the lines were bled and the wheels were remounted.

Looking killer and stopping on a dime, the new Stainless Force-10 brake upgrade was now complete. Be prepared for much shorter braking and a feeling of higher safety.