Brake Pad: Service and Repair

REMOVAL
1. Remove brake fluid until reservoir is half full.
2. Raise and support front of vehicle, then remove wheel and tire assembly.
3. Remove caliper locating pins.
4. Lift caliper assembly from spindle and adapter plate, then remove outer shoe from caliper assembly. On some models, slip shoe down caliper leg until clip is disengaged.
5. Remove inner shoe and lining assembly. On some models, pull shoe straight out of piston. This could require a force as high as 20---30 lbs.
6. Suspend caliper from inner fender housing with wire to avoid damaging brake hose.
7. Remove and discard locating pin insulators and plastic sleeves.

Fig. 10 Outer Brake Shoe Installation On Caliper:

INSTALLATION
1. Using a 4 in. C-clamp and a block of wood 2 {3-4} x 1 in. and approximately {3-4} in. thick, seat caliper piston in bore, then remove C-clamp and wooden block. On some models, the piston is made of phenolic material. Do not seat piston in bore by applying C-clamp directly to piston. Extra care must be taken during this procedure to prevent damage to the piston. Metal or sharp objects cannot come into direct contact with the piston or damage may result.
2. Install locating pin insulators and plastic sleeves on caliper housing. Ensure insulators and sleeves are properly positioned.
3. Install inner shoe and lining assembly on caliper piston, Fig. 2. Inner brake shoes are marked LH (lefthand) and RH (righthand) and must be installed on the proper caliper. Use care to not bend spring clips too far during installation in piston, otherwise distortion and rattles may result.
4. Install outer brake shoe and lining assembly, Fig. 3. Ensure that shoes are installed on proper caliper. Make sure that clip and buttons on shoe are properly seated. The outer shoe can be identified as lefthand and righthand by the wear indicator which must be installed toward front of vehicle.
5. Install locating pins and torque to 30---40 ft. lbs. On 1982---87 Lincoln Continental, 1984---87 Mark VII, 1987 Thunderbird Turbo, 1984---86 Mustang SVO and 1982---87 Ford and Mercury full size models, torque locating pins to 40---60 ft. lbs. On 1982---87 Escort, EXP, LN7 and Lynx, 1984---87 Tempo and Topaz and 1986---87 Sable and Taurus torque to 18---25 ft. lbs. On 1982---87 models except Lincoln Continental, 1984---87 Mark VII, 1987 Thunderbird Turbo & Mustang SVO ensure that two round torque buttons are firmly seated in the two holes of outer caliper leg and that shoe is held tightly against housing by spring clip. A temporary loss of brakes may occur if buttons are not properly seated.
6. Refill master cylinder, then install wheel and tire assembly and lower vehicle.
7. Pump brake pedal several times to position brake linings before moving vehicle.