1990 Mercury Topaz Brake Service (ONLINE REPAIR MANUALS)

Never use copper tubing as a replacement for steel tubing. Copper tubing is subject to fatigue cracking and corrosion which could result in brake system

Steel tubing is used to conduct hydraulic pressure to the brakes. All fittings, tubing and hose should be inspected for rusted, damaged or defective flared seats. The tubing is equipped with a double flare/inverted seat or I.S.O. flare to insure more positive seating in the fitting. To repair or reflare tubing, proceed as follows:

DOUBLE FLARE/INVERTED SEAT

• Using the tool shown inFig. or equivalent, cut off the damaged seat or da...

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 ...

DESCRIPTION

These units are of the vacuum suspended type. Some units are of the single diaphragm type,Fig. while others are of the tandem diaphragm type,Fig. . Both single piston and double piston or split system type master cylinders are used.

The vacuum suspended diaphragm type units utilize engine manifold vacuum and atmospheric pressure for its power. It consists of three basic elements combined into a single power unit. The three basic elements of the single diaphragm type are:

• A vacuum power section which includes a front and rear shell, a power diaphragm...

REMOVAL

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

• Remove brake fluid until reservoir is half full.
• Raise and support front of vehicle, then remove wheel and tire assembly.
• Remove caliper locating pins.
• Lift caliper assembly from adapter plate, then remove outer shoe from caliper assembly.On some models, slip shoe down caliper leg until clip is disengaged.
• Remove inner shoe and lining assembly.On some models, pull shoe straight out of piston. This should require a force as high as 20-30 lbs.
• Suspend caliper from inner fender housing with wire to avoid damaging brake ...

• Lightly lubricate backing plate shoe contact surfaces with suitable brake lubrication.
• Remove brake drum hub grease seal and bearings, then clean and repack bearings and reinstall. Install new grease seal.
• Assemble parking brake lever to trailing shoe, then install spring washer and retaining clip. Using suitable pliers, crimp retaining clip until securely fastened.
• Attach parking brake cable to parking brake lever.
• Assemble lower retracting spring to leading and trailing shoe assemblies, then spread lower part of shoes and install on backing plate.
• Using suitable tool, install hold-dow...

• Raise and support rear of vehicle, then remove tire and wheel assembly.
• Remove brake drum. If brake lining is dragging on brake drum, back off brake adjustment. Refer to individual car chapters for procedure.
• Using suitable tool, remove hold-down retainers, springs and pins,Fig. .
• Remove brake shoes and adjuster assemblies from backing plate by lifting up and away from wheel cylinder assembly.When removing brake shoe and adjuster assemblies, use care not to bend adjusting lever.
• Remove parking brake cable from parking brake lever.
• Remo...