How to Put Rear Brake Pads on a 2005 Ford Freestar

The rear brakes on a Ford Freestar are rotor-style brakes. When you step on the brake pedal, hydraulic fluid is pumped through the vehicle's brake lines to the Freestar's caliper assembly. The pressure in the lines make the caliper piston press against the brake pad. The pad is then forced against the rotor, which decreases the speed of the vehicle. The inner pad assembly on the Freestar tends to wear more quickly than the outer pad. After the pad material is worn to 1/8 inch, the pads need to be replaced. Also, if vibration is detected in the steering wheel when braking, the Ford Freestar rear brakes should be checked and changed.

Instructions

Safety First

1

Secure the front of the vehicle by placing a stone or wedge on the front side of each front wheel. When jacking up the rear of the minivan, you will want the front wheels to stay in place.

2

Loosen the lug nuts on the rear wheels by rotating them a quarter using the tire wrench.

3

Position the jack at the rear jack point near the trunk and raise the vehicle. Place a jack stand under each of the rear pinch welds and lower the Ford onto the stands.

4

Remove the lug nuts and wheels.

5

Unbolt the top and bottom caliper mounting bolts and remove the caliper from the rotor.

6

Temporarily attach the caliper to the coil springs above the brake assembly.

7

Remove the brake pads. If the pads resist removal, tap the back of them with a rubber mallet.

8

Compress the caliper piston into the caliper assembly with c-clamp by placing the face of one of the pads over the caliper piston and placing the c-clamp over the pad and caliper. Tighten the c-clamp to force the piston against the caliper.

9

Insert the new brake pads into the caliper assembly.

10

Reassemble the brakes.

11

Place the wheels back onto the vehicle, tighten the lug nuts, lower the van to the ground.

12

Tighten the lug nuts and torque them to 100 pounds of pressure.