1996 Mercury Tracer Brake Service (ONLINE REPAIR MANUALS)

Removal

• Raise and support vehicle, then remove wheel and tire assembly.
• Remove brake drum screws, then the brake drum.
• Remove wheel hub.
• Remove brake shoe retracting springs, Fig. , using screwdriver to push in and twist spring to disengage it from pin.
• Remove righthand anti-rattle spring.
• Push and turn brake shoe hold down springs, then remove them.
• Remove primary rear shoe and lining from backing plate, then the secondary shoe and lining.

Installation

• If rear shoes and linings are to be used again, inspect them to ensure they meet specifications.
• Clean backing plate with suitable brake va...

Parking Brake Linings, Replace

Crown Victoria, Grand Marquis & Town Car

The parking brake system is a drum type design mounted in the hubs of the rear brake rotors.

• Raise and support vehicle, then remove wheel and tire assembly.
• Remove caliper as previously outlined, then the rotor assembly.
• Drain differential fluid from axle by removing cover.
• Remove lock bolt from differential pinion shaft, then shaft from differential.
• Push axle shaft inward to access and remove axle shaft C-lock.
• Remove ABS speed sensor, then axle shaft from axle housing.
• Disconnect brake cable from lever, then...

Disc brake service is extremely critical due to the close tolerances required in machining the brake disc to ensure proper brake operation.

Maintaining close control of the shape of the rubbing surfaces is necessary to prevent brake roughness. In addition, the surface finish must be non-directional and maintained at a micro-inch finish. This is necessary to avoid pulls and erratic performance, and to promote long lining life and equal lining wear of both the lefthand and righthand brakes.

Do not attempt to refinish the rubbing surfaces unless precision equipment, ...

• Inspect components for damage and unusual wear. Replace as necessary.
• Inspect wheel cylinders. Boots which are torn, cut, or heat damaged indicate need for wheel cylinder replacement. Fluid spilling from boot center hole, or wetness around wheel cylinder ends indicates cup leakage and need for wheel cylinder replacement. A small amount of fluid is always present and is considered normal, acting as lubricant for cylinder pistons.
• Inspect backing p...

Parking Brake

Aspire

• Ensure parking brake control lever is in fully released position.
• Remove access cover from console.
• Remove cable adjustment nut's locking clip.
• Raise and support vehicle, then ensure rear tires turn freely.
• Tighten cable adjustment nut until brakes drag slightly when tires rotate.
• Loosen adjustment nut in small increments until drag just disappears.
• Rear brakes should lock when brake control lever is pulled upward 11-16 notches.
• Ensure parking brake operates properly.
• Install locking clip and access cover.

Continental, Cougar, Mustang & Thunderbird

• Fully release parking bra...

Capri

Removal

• Raise and support vehicle, then remove wheel and tire assembly.
• Using chisel, unstake and remove halfshaft nut and washer. Discard nut and washer.
• Remove brake pads and caliper from steering knuckle as described under "Brake Pad Service."
• Support caliper with wire strung from coil spring. Do not disconnect brake line from caliper.
• Using tie rod end separator tool No. T85M-3395-A, or equivalent, disconnect tie rod end from steering knuckle.
• Remove ball joint pinch bolt, then separate control arm from steering knuckle.
• Remove steering knuckle to strut assembly bolts.
• Using knuck...