How to Install a Rear Disk on a Lincoln Mark VIII

The Lincoln Mark VIII has four wheel disc brakes. The "discs", or rotors, in disc brakes are metallic circles that sit inside the wheel and are squeezed by hydraulic-powered brake pads to create enough friction to stop the car. When a rear disc becomes warped due to heat or wear, it can be replaced without too much difficulty.

Instructions

1

Place bricks or wooden chocks around all four wheels to prevent rolling. Open the trunk and find the air ride suspension off switch located on the driver's side wall. Flip the switch to the "off" position. Open the hood and remove the cover from the brake fluid reservoir. Loosen the lug nuts on the wheel you will be removing one full turn. Jack up the rear of your Lincoln Mark VIII and place a jack stand under the frame for extra safety and support.

2

Remove all the lug nuts and take the wheel off the car. Locate the brake caliper and the two bolts behind the caliper at the top and bottom. Use your ratchet to loosen and remove these bolts. Remove the caliper from the rotor and place in a rest position which does not put strain on the attached brake line. Locate the caliper mounts which will still be attached to the rotor. Remove the two bolts (one on top and one on bottom) using your ratchet set.

3

Locate the disc retaining screw hole on the front of the disc rotor. Remove the screw using a Philips screwdriver. Bang the rotor with a rubber mallet to loosen it from its set position. Pull the rotor off by hand. Use a wire brush to clean off all surfaces before installing a new rotor. Place the new rotor onto the axle and lock in place by tightening the disc retaining screw.

4

Replace your brake pads to ensure proper surface contact with the new disc. Remove your old brake pads by sliding them out of the caliper along with the pressure plates. Use your C-clamp to compress the internal piston within your caliper by placing one end of the clamp on the outside rear of the caliper and slowly turning the clamp screw into the piston itself thus pressing the piston to an open position. Be careful not to let the rubber seal around the piston leak out of place. Remove the clamp and install new pads by sliding them into the caliper and applying the included non-squeak lubricating solution between the pads and the pressure plates.

5

Reinstall the caliper mounts and slide the caliper over the new rotor. Replace the caliper bolts and tighten. Put the wheel on and tighten all lug nuts. Remove the jack stand and lower the car. Replace the brake fluid reservoir cover tightly. Switch your air suspension to the "on" position. Pump your brake pedal until the pressure builds to a normal level.

Test your brakes in an open area at slow speed.