How to Change the Rear Brake Pads on a Ford Focus

Brake pads are an important part of your Ford Focus's braking system. They are the replaceable friction pads that pinch the brake disc when you step on the brake pedal. You should replace the brake pads before they wear beyond a quarter inch or risk damaging your Focus's brake discs.

Instructions

Remove the old Brake Pads

1

Park your car on a level surface. If you have a stick shift car, make sure the car is in gear. Place blocks in front of the front tires so the car does not move while you are working on it.

2

Raise the rear end of your Focus with your car jack. Remove the rear tire or wheel assembly.

3

Disconnect the parking brake cable from the brake caliper. The cable is usually held in place with a retaining clip. You can use pliers to remove the clip and disconnect the cable.

4

Attach the brake hose clamp to the brake hose. Loosen the brake hose connection to the caliper. Don't remove the hose.

5

Use the socket wrench to remove the caliper bolts and remove the caliper from the disc rotor. If the bolts are tight, use the penetrating oil to loosen them. Use a small bungee cord or wire hanger to hang the caliper in the wheel well. Don't let the caliper hang from the brake hose.

6

Remove the brake pads from the caliper.

Install the new Brake Pads

7

Retract the caliper piston with the recommended caliper piston adapters.

8

Insert the brake pads into the caliper. Reattach the caliper to the brake rotor. Use the socket wrench to tighten the bolts to 26-feet lb. (35 Nm).

9

Tighten the brake cable connection to the caliper. Remove the brake hose clamp.

10

Reconnect the parking brake cable to the brake caliper.

11

Replace the tire wheel assembly. Lower the car to the ground.

12

Bleed the brakes to remove air from the brake system before you drive the car (See Resources).

13

Season the brake pads by making only gentle stops when you are driving for the first week after you install the new brake pads. Try not to do any hard stopping when you are seasoning the brakes.