1990 Ford Tempo Brake Service (ONLINE REPAIR MANUALS)

CROWN VICTORIA, GRAND MARQUIS, TEMPO, TOPAZ & 1989-90 ESCORT

• Disconnect battery ground cable.
• Disconnect master cylinder from booster and position aside.It is not necessary to disconnect brake lines, but care should be taken to avoid twisting or kinking lines.
• Disconnect manifold vacuum hose from booster check valve.
• Working under instrument panel, disconnect stop lamp switch electrical connector under instrument panel.
• Remove stop lamp switch retaining pin. Slide switch off brake pedal pin enough so outer plate of switch clears the pin, then remove switch from pin.
• Remove b...

• Remove wheel, drum and brake shoes.
• Disconnect hydraulic line at wheel cylinder. Do not pull metal line away from cylinder as the cylinder connection will bend metal line and make installation difficult. Line will separate from cylinder when cylinder is moved away from brake backing plate.
• Remove screws holding cylinder to brake plate and remove cylinder.

OVERHAUL

• Referring toFig. as a guide, remove boots, pistons, springs and cups from cylinder.
• Place all parts, except cylinder casting in clean brake fluid. Wipe cylinder walls with clean brake fluid.
• Examine cylinder bore. A scored ...

Proper adjustment of the master cylinder pushrod is necessary to ensure proper operation of the power brake system. A pushrod that is too long will prevent the master cylinder piston from completely releasing hydraulic pressure, eventually, causing the brakes to drag. A pushrod that is too short will cause excessive brake pedal travel and cause groaning noises to come from the booster when the brakes are applied. A properly adjusted pushrod that remains assembled to the booster with which is was matched during production should not require service adjustment. However, if the ...

BRAKE DRUMS

Any time the brake drums are removed for brake service, the braking surface diameter should be checked with a suitable brake drum micrometer at several points to determine if they are within the safe oversize limit stamped on the brake drum outer surface. If the braking surface diameter exceeds specifications, the drum must be replaced. If the braking surface diameter is within specifications, drums should be cleaned and inspected for cracks, scores, deep grooves, taper, out of round and heat spotting. If drums are cracked or heat spotted, they must be replaced. Mi...

FRONT & REAR SPLIT SYSTEMS

When the brake pedal is depressed, both the primary (front brake) and the secondary (rear brake) master cylinder pistons are moved simultaneously to exert hydraulic fluid pressure on their respective independent hydraulic systems. The fluid displacement of the two master cylinders is proportioned to fulfill the requirements of each of the two independent hydraulic brake systems,Figs. and .

If a failure of a rear (secondary) brake system should occur, initial brake pedal movement causes the unrestricted secondary piston to bottom in the mas...

REMOVAL

Except Capri, Festiva, Tracer, Scorpio, XR4Ti, Probe & 1991 Escort

Before removing calipers, mark left and right hand calipers so they can be installed in the same position.

• Raise and support front of vehicle, then remove wheel and tire assembly.
• Loosen brake tube fitting which connects brake tube to fitting on frame and plug brake tube. Remove retaining clip from brake hose and bracket, then disconnect brake hose from caliper.
• Remove caliper locating pins.
• Lift caliper from rotor and spindle anchor plate assembly.On models equipped with phenolic caliper piston, do not pry directly ag...