How to Replace the Front Disc Brake Pads on a 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis

The 2003 model year brought about a small redesign for the Grand Marquis. In this redesign, Mercury retained the full-sized luxury sedan's basic styling, making only subtle changes to the headlights and grille. The 2003 Grand Marquis came standard with a 4.6-liter V-8 engine that cranked out 224 horsepower. It also came standard with front disc brakes. When replacing the front disc brake pads on your 2003 Grand Marquis, it's best to inspect the rotors to assure there is no damage or excessive wear.

Instructions

1

Turn off the airbag suspension, if equipped, via the switch on the right-hand side of the trunk.

2

Remove about half of the fluid from the Grand Marquis' brake master cylinder, using a clean turkey baster. Transfer this fluid to a small container.

3

Loosen, but do not remove, the Grand Marquis' front lug nuts. Raise the front of the vehicle, using a floor jack, and slide jack stands under the Mercury's frame rails. Lower the vehicle onto the jack stands. Remove the lug nuts and pull the front wheels off the vehicle.

4

Remove the two caliper-to-anchor plate bolts, using a ratchet and socket, and pull the caliper from the anchor plate. Hang the caliper from a nearby suspension component, using a bungee strap.

5

Remove the inner and outer brake pads and metal anti-rattle clips from the anchor plate. Remove the two anchor plate-to-steering knuckle bolts, using a ratchet and socket. Pull the anchor plate from the steering knuckle.

6

Grab the brake rotor and pull it from the vehicle. If the rotor does not pull off easily, lightly tap it with a rubber mallet to free it. Inspect the rotor for any defects, such as: deep grooves, grinding, hot spotting or mirror-like shine. Discard and replace the rotor with a new one if any defects exist.

7

Set the rotor -- new or original -- on the vehicle. Install the anchor plate and tighten the anchor plate-to-steering knuckle bolts to 118 foot-pounds, using a torque wrench and socket.

8

Install new anti-rattle clips -- included with the brake pads -- on the anchor plate. Install new brake pads on the anchor plate and coat the rear of the pads with disc brake grease.

9

Set the old inner brake pad on the caliper piston and position an 8-inch C-clamp so that its screw portion touches the brake pad and the fixed side touches the rear of the caliper. Tighten the C-clamp until the brake pad stops moving. Remove the C-clamp.

10

Set the caliper on the anchor plate and tighten the caliper-to-anchor plate bolts to 126 to 169 foot-pounds, using a torque wrench and socket.

11

Repeat steps 4 through 10 for the brake pads on the opposite side of the Grand Marquis.

12

Re-install the tires and wheels on the Grand Marquis and hand-tighten the lug nuts. Raise the vehicle off the jack stands, using a floor jack, and remove the stands. Lower the Mercury to the ground. Tighten the lug nuts, in a crisscrossing pattern, to 85 to 104 foot-pounds, using a torque wrench and socket.

13

Press and release the brake pedal until it feels firm. Check the brake fluid level in the master cylinder reservoir. Add DOT 3 brake fluid until it reaches the "Max" line on the reservoir and close the master cylinder reservoir lid.

14

Turn on the suspension airbags, if applicable.

15

Take the old brake fluid to an automotive fluid recycling center. Many auto parts stores take fluids free of charge.