How to Install a Rear Brake on a 1998 Mercury Tracer

The 1998 Mercury Tracer has four-wheel disc brakes that include brake caliper, rotors and pads. When you hit the brakes, the caliper contracts on the rotor, forcing the pads to grab the rotor and stop it from turning. The rotor, mounted on the axle hub, spins with the wheel and axle, so when you stop it from spinning you also stop the wheel, the axle and the Tracer. If you possess rudimentary automotive-repair skills, you can install rear brakes on a 1998 Mercury Tracer in about two hours.

Instructions

1

Turn the rear lug nuts counterclockwise with the lug wrench to loosen them. Set the wheel chocks at the front and rear of the left-front tire to hold the Tracer in place.

2

Lift the Tracer's rear end with the floor jack and support it on two jack stands, placed under the rear jack points, just in front of the rear wheel wells.

3

Remove the rear lug nuts and wheels manually to expose the brakes. Set the wheels and lug nuts aside.

4

Place the drop pan under the left-rear brake assembly. Wash off the brake dust with your brake cleaner spray. Make sure to remove it all, as brake dust is a hazardous carcinogen that can cause long-term health issues if you breathe it in.

5

Unbolt the left-rear caliper with your socket set. Pick the caliper up and out of the caliper bracket. Pull the old brake pads out of the caliper manually.

6

Wash the inside of the caliper with brake cleaner, paying special attention to the pistons and slides. Lubricate the slides with white lithium grease.

7

Force the pistons to retract with the caliper tool. Insert the new brake pads manually. Slide the caliper back into the caliper bracket and bolt it in place with your socket set.

8

Repeat steps 4 through 7 on the other side. Put the wheels and lug nuts back on by hand.

9

Lower the Tracer off the jack stands with the floor jack. Turn the rear lug nuts clockwise with a torque wrench set at 85 foot-pounds. Remove the wheel chocks by the front tire before driving.