2005-2007 Ford Focus Front Brake Pad Replacement

Step 1 Front Wheel

• Put the car in park (automatic) or neutral (manual).
• Apply the parking brake.
• Place chocks behind the rear wheels.
Step 2

• Use a 19 mm lug wrench to loosen each lug nut a half turn.
Step 3
• Use a hydraulic jack on the car's frame to jack the car.
• A small notch shows where to place the jack.
• It is only necessary to jack the car until the wheel no longer touches the ground.
Step 4
• Place a jack stand on the frame and remove the jack.
• Never work on or underneath a car that is only supported by a jack. The car may fall, causing serious injury, or even death.
Step 5
• Use a lug wrench to completely remove the four lug nuts.
• Remove the wheel.
Step 6 Front Brake Pads
• The brake fluid reservoir is located towards the back of the engine compartment.
• Unscrew the cap and remove it.
• Be careful when handling brake fluid. Wash hands immediately if they come in contact with it. Do not let the fluid touch any painted parts; it will strip the paint.
Step 7
• Use a turkey baster to remove 2-3 ounces of brake fluid from the reservoir.
• Never let the fluid level drop below the minimum mark. This will let air into your lines, which will require bleeding to remove.
• Properly dispose of old brake fluid. Do not reuse it.
Step 8
• Use a flat head screwdriver or brake spoon to remove the outer pad retaining clip.
• The clip has a lot of spring energy. Hold onto it with a pair of pliers when removing it to keep it from flying off and injuring someone.
Step 9
• Use a flat head screwdriver to remove the black plastic guide bolt dust caps.
Step 10
• Use a 7 mm Allen wrench to remove the two caliper guide bolts.
• On the driver's side, turn towards the rear of the car. On the passenger side, turn towards the front
Step 11
• Remove the clip that holds the brake line to the strut with a pair of vise grips.
• Pull the brake line towards you and out of the bracket.
Step 12
• Pull the caliper off of the rotor.
• Place the caliper on top of a box or bucket so the brake line doesn't stretch or kink.
Step 13
• Pull the outer brake pad from the mounting bracket.
Step 14
• Remove the inner brake pad from the caliper.
• The pad is held in place by three metal clips. It may take some force and wiggling to free the pad.
Step 15
• This step is only necessary if you are replacing the guide bolt bushings.
• Use a flat head screwdriver to push the bushing through its hole in the caliper.
• Remove the bushing from the caliper.
Step 16
• Clean the rotor, caliper, and all other hardware with an aerosol brake cleaner.
• Never use compressed air to clean brake components. Brakes contain asbestos, and blowing the particles into the air could cause serious respiratory problems if inhaled.
Step 17
• Coat the steel backing plates of the new brake pads with an anti-squeal coating.
Step 18
• Place the new outer pad on the mounting bracket.
• Small particles are a common cause of brake noise. Make sure pad and rotor surfaces are clean of all dirt and debris before installing.
Step 19
• This step is only necessary if the guide bolt bushings were removed.
• Insert the new bushing from the inside of the caliper.
• Use a flat head screwdriver to help feed the bushing through its hole.
Step 20
• Compress the caliper piston with a C-clamp.
• Continually check the fluid level in the brake fluid reservoir to make sure it doesn't exceed the maximum level.
• Install the new inner pad by pressing it into the caliper and making sure the clips are secure.
Step 21
• Place the caliper back on the rotor.
Step 22
• Grease the two guide bolts and reinstall them.
• Guide bolts should be torqued to 21 foot-pounds.
• Reinstall the guide bolt dust caps.
Step 23
• Place the brake line back in the bracket on the strut.
• Secure the brake line with the retaining clip. Use the blunt end of a wrench to knock it completely into place.
Step 24
• Reinstall the retainer clip by first inserting the ends into the two holes in the caliper, then use pliers to stretch the ends onto the mounting bracket.
• It is always a good idea to use white lithium grease wherever you have metal-on-metal contact.
Step 25
• Put the wheels back on the car and hand tighten the lug nuts.
• Lower the car and completely tighten the lug nuts
• Lug nuts should torqued to 94 foot-pounds.
Step 26
• Place the cap back on the brake fluid reservoir.
• Turn the key to the "on" position. Press the brake pedal a few times. It should go to the floor once, and then become firm.
• Fill the brake fluid reservoir with new fluid, if needed.
• Replace the brake fluid reservoir cap, close the hood, and lower the car.

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David Hodson

Member since: 04/13/10

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