1997 Mercury Cougar Brake Service (ONLINE REPAIR MANUALS)

Safety Precautions

When working on or around brake assemblies, care must be taken to prevent breathing asbestos dust, as many manufacturers incorporate asbestos fibers in the production of brake linings. During routine service operations the amount of asbestos dust from brake lining wear is at a low level, due to a chemical breakdown during use and a few precautions will minimize exposure. Do not sand or grind brake linings unless suitable local exhaust ventilation equipment is used to prevent excessive asbestos exposure.

• Wear suitable respirator approved for asbestos dust use during ...

On Vehicles Equipped With Anti-Lock Brakes Refer To "Anti-Lock Brakes".

Complaints about power brake operation should be handled as if two separate systems exist. Inspect for faults in the hydraulic system first. If it is satisfactory, start inspecting the power brake circuit. For a quick inspection of proper power unit operation, press the brake pedal firmly and then start the engine. The pedal should fall away slightly and less pressure should be needed to maintain the pedal in any position.

Another inspection begins with installation of a suitable pressure gauge in the brake hydr...

Removal

• Raise and support rear of vehicle, then remove tire and wheel assembly.
• Remove brake drum.
• Install suitable wheel cylinder clamp over ends of wheel cylinder to retain pistons in bore.
• Disconnect parking brake cable from parking brake lever.
• Remove two brake shoe hold-down retainers, springs and pins, Fig. .
• Spread brake shoes over piston shoe guide slots, then lift shoes, springs and adjuster off backing plate as an assembly.
• Remove adjuster spring.
• Remove retracting springs to separate shoes.
• Remove parking brake lever retaining clip, spring and washer.
• Remove lever from pin.

Insta...

This system operates on the same principles as conventional front and rear split systems using primary and secondary master cylinders moving simultaneously to exert hydraulic pressure on their respective systems, Fig. .

The hydraulic brake lines on this system, however, have been diagonally split front to rear (left front to right rear and right front to left rear) in place of separate lines to the front and rear wheels.

In the event of a system failure this would cause the remaining good system to do all the braking on one front wheel and the opposite rear wheel, thus maintaining 50%...

Hydraulic Brake Fluid Color

Hydraulic brake fluid must conform with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 116. Under this standard, brake fluids are visually different from other automotive fluids such as transmission, power steering and engine.

Fluid color in a normal brake system may vary from its original color for many reasons. A brake master cylinder may show significantly different shades fluid color between the two brake master cylinder reservoirs. Color may also appear to vary between cast steel and die cast aluminum reservoirs. Some reasons for discolorati...

Cougar, Sable, Taurus, Thunderbird & 1997-98 Continental, Mark VIII & Mustang

Removal

• Remove rear disc brake caliper assembly as described under " Caliper Service." Do not disconnect flexible hose unless caliper requires service. Support caliper with wire or tie strap so flexible hose is not stretched or twisted.
• Remove rear disc support bracket to wheel knuckle bolts, then the rear disc support bracket and brake shoes and linings.
• Remove two nuts, then the rotor from rear hub.

Installation

• If installing new rotor, remove protective coating from rotor with suitable carburetor cleaner.
• Lub...