How to Repair the Front Brake Calipers of a 2000 Ford Windstar

The calipers on the Ford Windstar need to be in good working order or else you need to change them right away, because without them, your brakes will not work properly. It is the caliper that actually squeezes together the brake pads against the rotors to slow and stop the automobile. Signs that the brake calipers need replacing include the vehicle "lurching" when you try to stop, or taking longer to stop when you apply the brakes.

Instructions

1

Open the engine compartment of the Windstar and drain half of the brake fluid from the master cylinder using the turkey baster. The master cylinder is on the firewall at the back of the engine compartment on the driver side of the vehicle. The lid will say, "Use only Dot 3" on it or something similar.

2

Place a set of wheel chocks behind the rear wheels of the Windstar. Raise the front of the vehicle with the automobile jack on the side that you are starting with. Place a jack stand under the vehicle near the jacking point and raise it to the frame. Loosen the lug nuts with the lug wrench and pull the wheel from the automobile.

3

Remove the brake caliper from the wheel assembly by loosening the two bolts on the back of the caliper with a socket and ratchet. Disconnect the brake hose from the brake caliper using a wrench. Disconnect the brake hose from the main brake line using a wrench and discard it. You will need to put new hoses on the calipers.

4

Connect a new brake hose to the main brake line and tighten it with a wrench. Attach the other end of the brake hose to the new brake caliper. Make sure you have the proper caliper for the side of the vehicle you are working on. The caliper will have an "L" for the left and an "R" for the right. Place the new brake pads in the caliper.

5

Place the caliper in the mounting cradle and secure it by tightening the mounting bolts with a socket and ratchet. Place the wheel back on the Windstar and tighten the lug nuts with the lug wrench. Repeat the procedure on the other side of the vehicle.

6

Add fresh brake fluid to the master cylinder when the project is complete, and bleed the air out of the brake lines. To do this, have someone pump the brakes several times and hold them in while you open the bleeder valve on the caliper to expel the air.