How to Replace the Brake Pads on a 1999 Crown Victoria

The brake pads are designed to stop the 1999 Crown Victoria by pressing against the sides of the brake rotor. The brake caliper has a cylinder inside of it that pushes the brake pads against the rotor. Due to the friction, the pads will eventually wear down and will need to be replaced.

Instructions

1

Park the 1999 Crown Victoria in a safe work area and pull the hood release to open the hood.

2

Pull the lid off of the brake fluid reservoir and set it to the side.

3

Loosen the lug nuts on the front wheels with the 1/2-inch breaker bar and the 13/16 socket.

4

Jack up the front of the 1999 Crown Victoria with the hydraulic jack. Put the safety jack stands underneath the side rails of the car's front wheels. Lower the hydraulic jack so the Crown Victoria sits securely on the jack stands.

5

Finish removing the lug nuts with the 1/2-inch breaker bar and the 13/16 inch drive socket. Pull the front wheels off of the car and place them to the side of the car.

6

Locate the brake caliper that sits atop of the brake rotor. Slide the flat end of the small pry bar into the top of the caliper and wiggle the caliper back and forth. This will loosen the caliper's grip on the brake rotor.

7

Remove the caliper from the top of the brake rotor. Locate the two slide bolts on the back side of the caliper. Unscrew these bolts with the 3/8-inch drive ratchet and socket. Pull the bolts out and slide the caliper off of the rotor. You may have to bump the caliper with the rubber mallet.

8

Hang the brake caliper to the side of the front strut or the frame rail with a small piece of rope. Then remove one of the brake pads and slide the 4-inch C-clamp into the inside of the caliper.

9

Compress the caliper cylinder with the 4-inch C-clamp. Once the cylinder is fully compressed, remove both the C-clamp and the other brake pad.

10

Insert the new brake pads onto the brake caliper. Remove the rope from the caliper, and slide the caliper with the new pads back over the top of the rotor. Insert the two slide bolts and tighten down with the 3/8-inch drive ratchet and socket.

11

Replace the wheel back onto the wheel hub and screw the lug nuts on. Screw the lug nuts all the way down so the wheel is secure to the wheel hub. Follow these same instructions for replacing the brake pads on the other front wheel.

12

Jack the front of the 1999 Crown Victoria back up with the hydraulic jack and slide the stands out from under the side rails. Lower the hydraulic jack until the Crown Victoria is sitting on the ground. Then, slide the jack out from under the car.

13

Crank the 1999 Crown Victoria and pump the brake pedal in and out to fit the new pads to the proper distance from the sides of the brake rotor. Five or six pumps should be sufficient. Turn the engine off.

14

Check the brake fluid level inside the reservoir. Add brake fluid if it is low. Put the lid back on top of the reservoir and close the hood.