How to Remove a Front Rotor From a 1989 Mercury Tracer

1989 was the last year the Mercury Tracer was based on the Mazda 323 import chassis. The following year, the Tracer would adapt to the domestic Ford Escort chassis. The import version featured front disc brakes. Being front-wheel drive, the 1989 Tracer featured "take-off" or "knock-off" rotors--it didn't require removing or pressing integrated wheel bearings in or out of the rotor after removal, as did some of the other import versions of that year.

Instructions

1

Apply the parking brake of the Tracer on a paved and flat surface.

2

Place a wheel block behind one of the rear tires for added safety in the event the car slips backward when lifting.

3

Loosen the wheel nuts on the front tire(s). Turn them 1/4 turn counterclockwise with the wheel nut wrench.

4

Lift the Tracer with the lifting jack and then support it onto jack stands (or one jack stand at a time if desired).

5

Remove the wheel nuts, then the tire.

6

Remove the caliper guide bolts using a box end wrench, then pry the caliper and pad assembly off the rotor.

7

Support the caliper and pad assembly to the front coil spring to prevent it from dangling by the rubber brake hose.

8

Remove the rotor. If the rotor is stuck to the hub by corrosion, spray penetrating oil on the center hub-to-rotor mating surface. Allow the oil to soak in for a few minutes.

9

Strike the plate of the rotor outward using a large dead-blow rubber mallet. (If you're replacing the rotor, a regular ball-peen hammer would work as well, but will damage the rotor.)