Ford Escort brakes

[ozzy72]

I've got a '92 European model Ford Escort 1.3, I've got to change the front brake pads. The last time I did this on an Escort was my first car an '82 model.
Does anyone know if I need any special tools? Any handy hints on this 'cos it is my least favourite job after clutch changing

Cheers
Mark

[elwellnick24]

its been a while since i changed the brakes on an escort, but they are all pretty similar really.
usually just pull out the pad retaining spring, undo the pad carrier (usually 2 large bolts) and pull out the pads.  :)
I think ive got a haynes workshop manual around here someplace, if you get stuck i could probably scan the relevant part for you. good luck!  :)

[ozzy72]

Cheers Nick

[eno]

You mean you have brakes that work on an Escort?  :P

[Jared]

LOL! AN Escort! I had one of those, even did brakes on it a LONG time ago.. Dno't remember how it worked out though....

[Pc-Shark]

I used to have a 88 escort about 1 year ago, never had to change the brakes while I had it. But it is similer on all vehicals. you  remove the two bolts on the brake caliber then remove the brake caliber take the old pads out & put new ones in & put the brake caliber back on the same way you took it off. This is assuming that your escort does not have brake drums.

[RichieB16]

USA3000's description is correct and if its the front brakes they will be disc not drums (the back will be drums though that thats a whole different beast).

One tip though is when you remove the calipers (just before you remove the old brake pads) take a C-clamp and put one side on the brake surface and the other on the outside of the caliper and tighten down.  This will compress the brake cylinder (force all the fluid out of time lines and back into the master cylinder).  You want to do this because the new pads will have a lot more material (be a lot thicker) and it you don't you won't be able to get your caliper back onto the rotor.  Chaging disc brakes is actually pretty simple (not worth the money a shop would charge).  They should be very simular to the brakes on your old '82 model (not much ahs changed in brakes since then).

One other bit of advice Ozzy would be to invest in a Haynes Repair Manual for your car (if you plan to have the car for a while).  They have a lot of useful information for basic repairs and are very handy.  

[Pc-Shark]

USA3000's description is correct and if its the front brakes they will be disc not drums (the back will be drums though that thats a whole different beast).

Some of the older model of vehicals {Like the 70's} only come with brake drums not disc. Also the drum brakes on the back axle's are {on most vehicals} only emergency brakes. But it varies from car to car. Yes the Haynes Repair book (Availible in almost all makes and models) is something that is excellent to have just for minor repairs for those that do not know a whole lot about car repairs.

[RichieB16]

Some of the older model of vehicals {Like the 70's} only come with brake drums not disc.

I am aware of that, I have a 1969 Camaro that is drums all around.  But, on a 1992 Ford Escort the front will be disc.

Also the drum brakes on the back axle's are {on most vehicals} only emergency brakes.

Thats not correct, the rear brakes are used for normal braking on all modern cars.  The front brakes do about 80% of the braking (thats why the rear wear so slowly) but the ear are certainly not only for emergency braking.

[ozzy72]

If I could get a Haynes manual I would Richie, just they don't have them here. I'll try and pick one up in England next month.....

[Pc-Shark]

[quote]
I am aware of that, I have a 1969 Camaro that is drums all around.

[Pc-Shark]

If I could get a Haynes manual I would Richie, just they don't have them here. I'll try and pick one up in England next month.....

go here: http://www.haynes.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stor ... ogId=10001

That is the Haynes Publishing Website for Sparkford, Nr Yeovil & Somerset, England. I believe you can order the repair book directly from the site & have it mailed to your house.

[RichieB16]

On any of the vehicals that I have had when ever my tires would lock up cause I had to stop really fast, only the front tires lock up. Why would that be if the back tires had normal brakes on them? Shouldn't they all lock up....?

The brakes on cars are balanced so the front do the majority of the braking but the rear brakes do effect even minimal braking (this is why rear brakes ware so slow-but they do ware).

[Pc-Shark]

[quote]
The brakes on cars are balanced so the front do the majority of the braking but the rear brakes do effect even minimal braking (this is why rear brakes ware so slow-but they do ware).