How to Remove the Rotors in a 2001 Ford Taurus

Properly functioning brakes are an important factor for owning and operating a Ford Taurus, or any other automobile. The rotors on a vehicle are part of the brake system and are every bit as important as the pads, perhaps even more so. Overly worn rotors can wear down brake pads more quickly and unevenly. They will not disperse heat as well as they should and could become warped, further reducing stopping power. Luckily brake rotors are one of the cheaper replacements that can be made and are fairly simple to replace as a do-it-yourself project.

Instructions

Getting at the rotor

1

Park on a flat surface and set the emergency brake securely. Put the wheel chocks behind the rear wheels to keep the vehicle from rolling should the emergency brake fail. Loosen the lug nuts on the tire slightly so you don't spin the wheels when they are off the ground.

2

Using the owner's manual, find the front center and front side jack points. Use the floor jack at the front center jack point and raise the car until you can place the jack stands at the front side jack points. Put a jack stand under each point and then slowly lower the vehicle onto the stands and remove the floor jack.

3

Finish removing the lug nuts using the tire iron or the socket wrench. Remove the tire by pulling it straight off the hub. Set the tire and lug nuts aside.

Changing the rotor

4

Remove the caliper retaining bolts. You will find them on the back of the caliper at either end. Remove the brake pad closest to you. It should come off easy, but if it does not, use the flathead screwdriver and/or the rubber mallet to get it started and then remove it.

5

Leaving the other brake pad in, apply the C-clamp and tighten it to press the brake piston back into its housing. Use the S hook to hang the caliper from the shock spring, being careful not to kink or twist the brake line.

6

Remove the old rotor. You may need to use a screwdriver to remove a retaining bolt. The rotor should come off with no resistance. if there is resistance, use the rubber mallet, tapping around the rotor to loosen it. Clean your hands with a rag, grab the new rotor by its edges, and place it on the hub. Replace the retaining bolt if there was one.

7

Spray both sides of the rotor with brake cleaner to be sure it is clean of contaminants and oils. Put the caliper back on the hub assembly and securely tighten the nuts. Put the tire back on and tighten the lug nuts until they are firm.

8

Repeat this section for replacement of the other front rotor. If the Taurus has rear disc brakes as well (drum brakes were standard, disc was optional), then you will need to follow these instructions exactly the same, except:
Chock the front wheels instead of the rear and use the rear center and side jack points to raise the car and place the jack stands.

Final administrations

9

With the car resting on the ground, tighten the lug nuts with the tire iron until you cannot get the any tighter using only your hands and arms. Do not use your foot or stand on the tire iron, as you could over-tighten the lug nuts or strip the threads.

10

Drive the car a short distance, one or two miles should be adequate.

11

Park the car on the level surface again. Use the tire iron once more to further tighten all of the lug nuts and make sure they are all as tight as they can be.