[bighoss88lx]

SN-95 Rear Brake Rotor and Pad Replacement
Author: bighoss88lx



Required Parts:
Rear Brake Pads
Rear Rotors

Required Tools:
13mm Wrench or Socket
16mm Wrench or Socket
Ratchet
Small Pry Bar or Equivalent Prying Device
6” or 8” Extention
Rear Brake Caliper Cube
Channel Lock Pliers or Needle Nose Pliers
Floor Jack or Sufficiently Safe Jack
Jack Stands (2)





Optional:
1 Can Brake Parts Cleaner
1 Can Brake Caliper Paint

This write up covers all 94-04 rear brake’s including V6, V8, Cobra, and other models of Mustang with the Varga rear disk brake calipers.

Start off by jacking up the rear of the vehicle by lifting it under the center of the differential and then supporting it on the jack stands under each axle tube. Then remove the rear wheels from the vehicle.

Using a 13mm wrench or socket unbolt the 2 caliper mounting bolts. Then you can pry or just remove (if your lucky) the caliper from the caliper bracket.



Then pry out the brake pads paying close attention to how they mount into the caliper bracket. Also pay close attention to the anti-rattle clips that are on the top and bottom of each pad. Don’t lose them because you must re-use them on the new pads.



Now that the brake pads are out you can take your 16mm wrench or socket to remove the 2 caliper bracket mounting bolts. They can be on there really tight so you may need to use a little extra leverage on them. Once the 2 bolts are off the caliper mounting bracket will come off.



At this point you should just see the rotor there. If it has never been off the vehicle it will have 2 washer thingies holding them on there for factory assembly purposes. To remove them pry on the backside of them until you can get a pair of plierson them and twist them til they break. You can throw them away as they are not needed.



Now simply pull the rotor off of the rear axle. At this point disassembly is complete. You can clean all the parts if you wish.



Now here is the most difficult part of the job.
First remove the cap off of your master cylinder to make sure it does not overflow and make a mess. Using the disk brake caliper cube on the end of a 6 or 8” extention and your ratchet you must insert the pins of the cube into the slots on the caliper piston turn clockwise as you press firmly on the ratchet. What you are trying to accomplish is rotating the piston back into the caliper til it is flush with the housing of the caliper. This can be quite a work out on your wrist but it must be done. When compressing the piston in it will push brake fluid back up the master cylinder and can cause it to overflow. Keep an eye on it to make sure it dosent spill out. Brake fluid will strip paint like there is no tomorrow. If it is going to spill out simply siphon or absorb a little out with a siphon or rag.





Now is a good time to paint your brackets and calipers if you wish to do so. Be sure to prep them good and the results will be much better.

Now install the rotor over the studs on the axle making sure the offset of the rotor hat is toward you.

Re-install the caliper brackets making sure you tighten them down really good.

Now transfer the anti-rattle shims from the old pads to the new ones making sure you put them on like they were on the old pads.

Take the appropriate pad and push it in from the back of the caliper bracket. You will most likely have to tap it all the way in til it is seated properly in the bracket and against the rotor completely. Do the same with the other pad.

Now you can take the caliper and push it down over the pads and onto the bracket. Get the top caliper bolt started first. Don’t tighten it completely and make sure you can put it in by hand so you don’t strip the threads. Once it is in halfway do the bottom one the same way. Now you can go ahead and tighten them down. You want them tight but not too tight. The bolts will break if you get carried away.

After doing the same to the other side that should be about it. Now you can re-install the cap on your master cylinder and re-install the wheels. Make sure you have a good brake pedal feel before you attempt to drive the car and the emergency brake works properly.

If you need to change out the pads only you don’t have to remove the brackets. Just unbolt the calipers and pull the old pads. Then compress the caliper piston and install the new pads.





The author believes the above information to be true and accurate, however it is strictly for educational purposes only. Neither Lonestarstangs.com nor the author can be held liable in any manner for consequential damages occurring from the use of said information.