lincolntowncar.org -- Brake pad replacement

Items you need:

  • Lincoln Town Car
  • New set of brake pads (both front wheels or both rear wheels)
  • Socket set
  • Jack and tire iron, including your locking lugnet key
  • Brake pad lubricant
  • Flat head screwdriver

    This is a medium level project, but is still pretty easy (I can do it!). Your Haynes manual describes this procedure very well.

  • With the tire iron, slightly loosen the 5 lugs nuts of the wheel you're working with first.
  • Remove the cap from the brake fluid resivor under the hood, driver's side.
  • Jack up the car so the wheel is just off the ground. Secure the car on jackstands, if you have some. Be sure to put wood blocks or something behind the other wheels.
  • Loosen the lug nuts the rest of the way and remove the wheel. Use your lug nut key to get the locking nut off. You should know how to do this in case you have a flat tire as well! Set the wheel down backside down, as not to scuff your whitewall.
  • Remove the clip on the backside of the caliper with your flat head screwdriver. It will fly across the room--keep track of it. :)
  • With the screwdriver, carefully pry the inner pad away from the disc. This will loosen the pads from the disc so you can remove them. Don't pry too hard as you can bend your discs.
  • Remove the two bolts that hold the caliper to it's bracket. They are on the inside of the caliper on the top and bottom. Be careful of the brake line.
  • You should now be able to lift the caliper off of the bracket and pads.
  • DO NOT let the caliper hang by the hose!!! Put it on a box, hold it, or have someone hold it to relieve stress on the hose. If you break the hose, all your brake fluid runs out and you're in a world of hurt.
  • Observe how the old pads fit into the bracket (top and bottom notches). Remove the pads and put the caliper back in place for now.
  • Get your new pads out and apply the shims.
  • Then apply the brake lubricant.
  • Take the caliper off and put the new pads in place.
  • Put the caliper back in place and it all should fit if the caliper piston is pushed far enough into the caliper. If there isn't enough room, you have to push it in, using a C-clamp and compressing it.
  • Put the bolts back in the back side and install the clip. Make sure the disc is all the way back on the bolts--it likes to slide around on it's own. The disc should spin at this point.
  • Put the wheel back on, hand tightening the nuts. Lower the car and finish tightening.
  • Dust yourself off, and wash your hands! Then get in the car and turn the key on. Pump the brakes 5-6 times. It should start being soft then get firmer. This gets the piston back into position next to the pads.
  • Mark in your maintainence records your work for today--you're set!