How to Fix the Rear Brake Pads on a 1994 Ford Taurus

The 1994 Ford Taurus featured rear disc or rear drum brakes. Rear disc brakes required replacement of brake pads when the friction material of the pads wore down. Rear drum required the replacement of the brake shoes. While replacing the rear brake pads was a simpler process than replacing rear brake shoes, the rear calipers on the Taurus requires a special tool to retract the piston and make room for the new, thicker pads.

Instructions

1

Park the Taurus on a flat surface suitable for lifting and supporting the sedan.

2

Remove half of the brake fluid from the master cylinder with a brake fluid siphon and then dispose of the fluid. Replace the cap to the master cylinder.

3

Place a tire chock in front of one of the front tires and do not apply the parking brake.

4

Crack the rear lug nuts loose with a wheel nut wrench or tire iron. Only loosen them about 1/4-turn counterclockwise.

5

Hoist the rear of the Taurus up with a car jack one side at a time and then support the sedan onto jack stands in a safe location.

6

Finish removing the lug nuts and then remove the rear tires.

7

Place an open-end wrench on the upper inner slider pin and then remove the pinch bolt with a closed-end wrench. Repeat for the lower inner slide pin and pinch bolt.

8

Remove the caliper and then hang it to the rear coil spring with a caliper hanger or hook.

9

Place the 6-inch extension onto the ratchet and then match the tabs of the caliper reset tool to the two grooves in the rear caliper piston. Insert the tool onto the end of the extension and then tighten the rear caliper piston in a clockwise motion to retract it fully into the piston bore.

10

Remove the brake pads from the caliper bridge and then apply a light coat of the brake lubricant packet supplied in the replacement brake pads box to the upper and lower contact points on the bridge where the pad tabs seat onto.

11

Set the new brake pads into the caliper bridge and then replace the caliper over the pads and rotor. The pad springs will require you to push in on the caliper to align the caliper pinch bolts into the slider pins. Tighten the bolts with the closed-end wrench while retaining the slider pins stationary with an open-end wrench.

12

Repeat Steps 7 through 12 for the other wheel.

13

Replace the tire and lug nuts. Tighten the lug nuts as much as they will allow with the rear wheels elevated. Lift the Taurus again with the car jack enough to remove the jack stands and then lower the sedan slowly until it rests on the ground. Tighten the lug nuts to 100 foot-pounds using the torque wrench and socket.

14

Pump the brake pedal several times to extend the brake caliper pistons. Once the brake pedal feels firm, you'll have seated the brake pads to the rotors.

15

Check and fill the brake fluid in the master cylinder. Only add new brake fluid.