Changing front discs and pads on a Ford Focus Zetec 1999

[Sparky1970]

Hi, is it easy to change discs & pads for a 1999 ford focus? Do i need to clamp brake piston or is that just for the rears?

 

[Burnerman]

Perfectly straight forward to do - you'll need a 7mm allen key to release the calipers, and the pistons can be slowly pushed back in with a 'g' cramp or slip jaw pliers. You don't need to turn the front ones.
The caliper bracket is held on by 2 bolts - 17 or 19mm - can't remember which!
John

 

[MrTinker]

There probably about the easiest pads and disks to change. You will need to push the piston back into the caliper, about the easiest way to do this is to use a G clamp, don't strip both sides down at the same time, strip and rebuild one side then do the other, if you have both calipers off at the same time when you push the piston back on one it will pop the piston out on the other! Also if there is a spring washer on a wheel stud holding the disk on, just cut it off with a pair of side cutters or a small cold chisel, this dosen't need to be replaced.

 

[Sparky1970]

Will clamping piston back overfill brake resevouir? Thanks for your replies

 

[MrTinker]

Oh you beat me to it John.
The carrier bolts are a 13mm or 15mm hex though.

 

[MrTinker]

Shouldn't over fill the resevoir unless the fluid has been topped up. if it dose just soak it up with some rags.

 

[Sparky1970]

Sorry to ask again, doing brakes this Monday, will i need to open the brake reseviour cap and place lots of rags around it when im g clamping piston?

regards

 

[MrTinker]

Check the level in the resevior, if it is near the minimum mark it won't overflow, if its nearer the maximum mark yes slacken the cap off and put some rags around it to catch the spillage, also when you've changed the brakes, and pumped the brake pedal a few times, check the level, if it is above the max mark, take the cap off and use a clean dry rag to soak some fluid out of the resevior, to get it down to the max mark.