2001 Mercury Sable Brake Service (ONLINE REPAIR MANUALS)

Remove wheels and inspect brake disc, caliper and linings. Inspect wheel bearings and repack if required.

If the caliper is cracked or fluid leakage through the casting is evident, it must be replaced as a unit.

If caliper is removed when installing new components, clean all components in alcohol, then wipe dry using lint-free cloths. Blow out drilled passages and bores with compressed air. Inspect dust boots for punctures or tears, replace as required.

Inspect piston bores in both housings for scoring or pitting. Bores showing light scratches or corrosion can be cleaned with crocus clo...

Disc brake service is 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 required to prevent brake roughness. In addition, the surface finish must be non-directional and maintained at a micro-inch finish. This is required to avoid pulls and erratic performance and 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 equipme...

Battery Ground Cable

Prior to service, disconnect battery ground cable and isolate as required.

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. A few precautions will minimize exposure. Do not sand or grind brake linings unless suitable local exhaust ventilation equipment is used to prevent ...

Removal

• Raise and support rear of vehicle, then remove tire and wheel assembly.
• Remove drum retainer push nuts, then slide drum off hub, Fig. .
• If drum is stuck to hub, use suitable hammer to lightly tap on face of drum in flange mounting area to release.
• If brake lining is dragging on brake drum, back off brake adjustment by holding adjustment lever off star wheel, then loosen star wheel, Fig. .
• Remove hub nut cover and discard.
• Remove hub nut and discard, then slide hub and one-piece bearing assembly off spindle.
• Install suitable wheel cylinder piston retainer tool.
• Remove shoe hold-do...

Parking Brake Linings, Replace

Crown Victoria, Grand Marquis, Marauder & Town Car

• Remove tire and wheel assembly.
• Remove brake rotor.
• Remove brake shoe adjusting screw spring, then the brake shoe adjusting screw.
• Remove brake shoe hold down springs.
• Remove parking bake shoe and linings.
• Reverse procedure to install noting the f...

Replacement

Continental, Cougar, Mustang, Sable & Taurus

Removal

• Raise and support rear of vehicle, then remove wheel and tire assembly.
• Disconnect brake hose from caliper assembly.
• Remove retaining clip, then disconnect parking brake cable from lever arm.
• Remove pinch bolts using open end wrench to hold slider pin in position, Fig. .
• Lift caliper assembly from anchor plate, then remove slider pins and boots.

Installation

• Apply suitable silicone dielectric compound to slider pins and inside of boots.
• Place slider pins and boots on anchor plate, then position caliper assembly on anchor pla...