How to Install Front Brakes on a 1998 Ford Escort ZX2

Ford stayed in-tune with new car buyers during the early-1980s with the release of the Escort -- in 1981 -- as imports cars began taking a higher stake in U.S. automotive sales. The Escort name was not a new addition to Ford's lineup; it simply had to make the jump across the Atlantic Ocean from Europe to the U.S. In 1998, Ford released an all-new, sportier version of the Escort and called it the Escort ZX2. The ZX2 featured a 130-horsepower, DOHC, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Replacing the front brake pads on the 1998 ZX2 is a little unusual, as it has small pins securing the brake pads instead of bolts.

Instructions

1

Unscrew the lid from the brake master cylinder, then remove about half of the brake fluid from the master cylinder, using a turkey baster. Transfer this fluid to a small container.

2

Loosen the front lug nuts, using a floor jack, and slide jack stands under the Escort's subframe. Lower the vehicle onto the jack stands. Remove the front lug nuts, then pull the front wheels off the vehicle.

3

Look on the top of the brake caliper and locate the two thin metal clips on the brake pads -- one shaped like an "M" and the other like a "W." Squeeze each of these clips to release them from the holes in the brake pads, then pull them from the pads.

4

Pull the pin from the inside end on both brake pad-retaining pins -- the small pins going through the caliper and pads -- using needle-nose pliers. Pull the two brake pad-retaining pins from the caliper. If the pins do not pull out easily, lightly tap the inside end, toward the caliper, with a hammer to free them.

5

Grab the brake pads and pull them through the hole in the top of the caliper to remove them.

6

Remove the two caliper bracket-to-steering knuckle bolts, using a ratchet and socket, then pull the caliper bracket and caliper off as a complete assembly. Hang the caliper and its bracket from a nearby suspension component, using a bungee strap.

7

Pull the rotor from the Escort's hub, and inspect it for any visual defects, including: deep gouges, grinding, mirror-like shine or cracking. Replace the rotor with a new one if any defects exist. If the rotor does not pull of easily, lightly tap on its rear with a rubber mallet until it's free.

8

Set the rotor on the front hub. Place the old inner brake pad against the piston inside the caliper, then position an 8-inch C-clamp so that its screw side touches the brake pad and its fixed side touches the rear of the caliper. Tighten the C-clamp until the brake pad stops moving.

9

Set the caliper and bracket back in place on the steering knuckle, and hand-tighten the caliper bracket-to-steering knuckle bolts. Tighten the caliper bracket bolts to 36 to 43 foot-pounds, using a torque wrench and socket.

10

Coat the rear of the new brake pads with a generous amount of disc brake grease, and insert the pads into the caliper through the access hole on top of the caliper. Insert the brake pad-retaining pins through the caliper and pads, and insert a retaining clip through the hole on the end of each pin.

11

Hook the small curve at the top of the "M" clip and the bottom of the "W" clip over the pad-retaining pins. Squeeze each clip and insert the ears on the end of each clip into the hole on top of each brake pad.

12

Repeat Steps 3 through 11 to replace the pads on the other side of the Escort ZX2.

13

Install the front wheels onto the front hubs, then hand-tighten the lug nuts. Raise the vehicle off the jack stands, using a floor jack, then slide the stands from under the ZX2. Lower the Ford to the ground. Tighten the lug nuts, in a crisscross pattern, to 74 to 100 foot-pounds, using a torque wrench and socket.

14

Press and release the brake pedal until it feels firm. Add DOT 3 brake fluid to the master cylinder reservoir until the fluid level reaches the "Max" line on the reservoir. Tighten the cap onto the reservoir.

15

Take the old brake fluid to a used automotive fluid-recycling center. Some auto parts stores take old fluids free of charge.