Convert Drum to Disc?

Is it possible? My '03 Taurus has rear Drums, and I hate changing Drum brakes. Should the time come (and I really hope it does) that I have to do anything with them, is it possible to convert them to discs? I'm looking for pure possibility here, not whether it would be cost effective or not, but whether it's something that could be done without significant modifications. I.E. something someone without much auto mechanics expierence could do. Does that make sense?

Z.

Yes.

Yes.
Is it as simple as removing the drum and replacing it with the disk stuff (Caliper brackets, etc...)?

Z.

Is it as simple as removing the drum and replacing it with the disk stuff (Caliper brackets, etc...)?

Z.
not if you are going to use the term disc stuff.

You'll want to take the entire set up off a SES or SE model that has it, probably have to run new lines for the master cylinder or you might even have to replace your current master cylinder, all that will cost about $650 - 800?

Then you can invest in 16inch slotted breaks and cobra r capilers they will both fit, which will run over $1,200.

Why do you want to install 4 disc brakes anyways? You wont see that much more of a stopping difference and it wont make you any safer. Front Disc / Rear Drum on 2000-2005 Taurii exceeded saftey specifications.

Why do you want to install 4 disc brakes anyways? You wont see that much more of a stopping difference and it wont make you any safer. Front Disc / Rear Drum on 2000-2005 Taurii exceeded saftey specifications.

I don't know that I do want to, in fact based on the prices you listed I don't. The main reason for the question is that everytime I have had to do anything with drum brakes, I have ended up busting something to get it done, usually a spring kit. If I end up having to do anything with these, and the cost was very reasonable (like only $100 - $200), that I might look more into it for ease of replacement/work in the future, but only if I had to do anything to them. Since I hope to keep this car for several years, I figured that it was an inevitibility that I would end up working on them, so I thought I'd ask. Also, because I was curious....and I like the sound of '4-wheel disc brakes'...:screwy:

I appreciate the information.

Z.

Best way to save brake return springs is to loosen adjuster before you remove drum. The looser the drum is, the easier it comes off. I also agree with brokenantimatter on the cost factor and time involved. Also do not forget if it has ABS, you will need to change the ABS module, computer and sensors.

Also do not forget if it has ABS, you will need to change the ABS module, computer and sensors.

I wondered about that.

About the adjuster, I had to replace the adjuster on my Ranger twice 'cuz it broke. Even without the adjuster in there at all, I had a hell of a time getting the drum off and ended up just pulling and snapping the springs that hold the shoes against the back. I probably should have at least had the drums turned, if not replaced them altogether, but that was the day my son was bornded, so I was a little distracted when I had to finish...:eek:

Z.

There is a ton of bad information in this thread.

The rear disc option was ended in 1999 except for the station wagons.

The station wagon hardware will not fit.

You need the set up off an ABS Taurus and any of them will fit.

I spent an hour and half pulling the parts in a salvage.

And maybe an hour a side pulling the drums and all its related hardware and hoses and rerouting cables and installinng all the new hardware when I did the install.

You need the pie tins, backing plate ,hoses,hub/bearing,rotors,brackets,calipers,pads

Ebrake cables and prefferably the abs sensors.


This can all be had out of a Donor car for under a hundred dollars.

A lot of people have done this conversion on the 2000 and up including me and it was well worth the effort.

I did notice an increase in stopping power and the abs system works fine.

You dont have to change any computers ,modules or anything other than adding the correct ABS Sensors.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d132/mwt60/IMG_4103.jpg

Mike
:smokin:

There is a ton of bad information in this thread.

The rear drum option was ended in 1999 except for the station wagons.
You mean '...rear disc option....'? I have rear drums....

You need the set up off an ABS Taurus and any of them will fit.
I am guessing the rear setup, or can you take the fronts?


Z. :smokin:

You mean '...rear disc option....'? I have rear drums....


I am guessing the rear setup, or can you take the fronts?


Z. :smokin:

yes I meant rear disc option.


No you have to pull the rear. Prefferably a 96-99 car

Mike
:smokin:

yes I meant rear disc option.


No you have to pull the rear. Prefferably a 96-99 car

Mike
:smokin:

So that means that if(when) you have to fix anything that was replaced, you have to buy the part for the car you swipped the parts from, not the car you are actually fixing. I am guessing this applies for rotors/pads as well, right? :thinkerg:

Seperately, does it distribute the braking to front and rear evenly, or does it still split it so more is on the front?

Z.

Of course you would have to buy parts for the application you just swapped.

I do not know exactly what the proportioning is but it works out fine.

the car stops nice and flat.

There is a ton of bad information in this thread.

The rear disc option was ended in 1999 except for the station wagons.

No it didn't

2000+ SES came standard with Rear Discs and SE came with optional rear disc.

No it didn't

2000+ SES came standard with Rear Discs and SE came with optional rear disc.


This is the internet and getting in a pissing contest will prove nothing.


Ford did not offer rear disc brakes on a sedan for the model year 2000 or newer.

It was offered on the Station Wagon. The Station Wagon rear brakes will not fit a sedan and never have since the inception of the Taurus.

in theory you can use any Generation Taurus sedan setup on the 2000 and newer but the GenIII (96-99) with ABS is the most straight forward.

The picture I posted is a 2000 SES 24V DOHC. I converted it myself from Drums to Disc. I also put the 2001 larger front disc setup on the front of it.

I also have a 2000 SEL 24V DOHC which is the top of the line offered that year and it has drum rear brakes also.

I spend way too much time on the Taurus and SHO forums and there has never been one instance of a person claiming that they have a 2000 or newer Taurus with Factory Rear Disc brakes.

You will not find any listing for rear disc brake parts for a 2000 or newer sedan from Ford or any after markert supply house.

Like I said, I have no intention of arguing with you, I am just stating facts.

Mike
:smokin:

Just for reference. This is a pic of what your will need per side.

It really doesnt take long to pull off a donor car.

You need the ebrake cables and abs sensors also.

http://www.supermotors.org/getfile/225117/fullsize/P1020004.JPG

Mike
:smokin:

SES adds an in-dash single CD player, front bucket seats with six-way power and a manual lumbar adjustment on the driver's side. Four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes are standard.
Not arguing just stating the facts.

SES adds an in-dash single CD player, front bucket seats with six-way power and a manual lumbar adjustment on the driver's side. Four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes are standard.

I have a 2003 SE....what are the odds that the SES parts will fit my SE?

Z.

Seperately, I had no idea my "simple" question would generate this much discussion.

Z.

Not arguing just stating the facts.



KBB is wrong.

1. It was never produced with Disc Brakes for the SEDAN , The wagon has disc brakes. The wagon was produced as an SES so technically the statement is correct.

2. You have never seen a production Taurus SEDAN 2000 or newer with Factory rear disc brakes.

3. 9,177 members with over 390,000 post at www.taurusclub.com and not one person has every claimed to have rear disc on a 2000 or newer Taurus.

4. Go and try and buy the parts from Ford. They won't list them for a 2000 or newer.




We can go back and forth but it doesnt exist.


Mike
:smokin:

SES adds an in-dash single CD player, front bucket seats with six-way power and a manual lumbar adjustment on the driver's side. Four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes are standard.

I have a 2003 SE....what are the odds that the SES parts will fit my SE?

Z.

Seperately, I had no idea my "simple" question would generate this much discussion.

Z.


The 99 parts will fit your 2003. If you find any listed from Ford for a 2000 or newer they are for a Wagon and they will not fit your car.


Mike

I'd like to do this conversion on my 2004 taurus ses duratec as well. Not sure about other years, but I know that the 2004 sel sedan has rear disc brakes (this IS the sedan, NOT the wagon)

I'd like to do this conversion on my 2004 taurus ses duratec as well. Not sure about other years, but I know that the 2004 sel sedan has rear disc brakes (this IS the sedan, NOT the wagon)


Can you get pics of it?

Ford has been decontenting the Taurus for the last few years not adding.

Here is a link to the Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable ordering guides.
http://www.taurusclub.com/encyclopedia/OrderGuides/index.html

Mike
:smokin:

That depends on what "not much auto mechanic's experience" means. If you're not sure what you're doing with it, I think modifying a break system at all is a bad idea. If you do have "much auto mechanic's experience" the I'd say go for it, sounds like fun. As far as cost-effective, it's a good thing you don't care about that part at this point because your list will include most of the rolling assembly for the rear as well as e-brake componant etc... Also, I know the SES does not have rear discs because I drive a 2003 taurus ses and have rear drums, I believe the fellow who said the sedans in the new body style do not get rear disc gets the award for knowing his Tauruses

I went on the Motorcraft website and there was an option for four-wheel disc brakes for my 2001 Sable. Rockauto backs it up. Some great brake conversion info here. Thanks!

Gentlemen,

Ford Never put a rear disc brake system on a sedan after 1999 at the factory.
They did it on the wagon but those brakes will not fit.

IF Rock auto is selling a set it is the same set that is on the 1999.

It works. I have done a half dozen conversions and have some complete sets that I pulled from 1996-1999 out of the salvage.

Mike
:smokin:

Gentlemen,

Ford Never put a rear disc brake system on a sedan after 1999 at the factory.
They did it on the wagon but those brakes will not fit.

IF Rock auto is selling a set it is the same set that is on the 1999.

It works. I have done a half dozen conversions and have some complete sets that I pulled from 1996-1999 out of the salvage.

Mike
:smokin:

New guy here, but I've been lurking here for well over a year and registered this past Jan to search for something. Pretty active at the Taurus Club website as well. Have a 2000 SEL(SE Comfort), came from the factory w/drum brakes just like Mike's SEL and SES did.

Gen 4 (2000-7) never had the option for rear disc brakes, except on the wagon models. For proof, here is every single order guide for a Gen 4 Taurus and Sable...collected them for quite awhile: http://www.taurusclub.com/encyclopedia/OrderGuides/index.html

Nowhere in there, except for wagons, does it say that the sedan models have rear disc brakes :)

Here's a copy of the 97 Taurus brochure showing the 4 wheel disc ABS option: http://www.v8sho.com/SHO/images/sales%20brochure/97g.JPG
This page explains the brake optioning better,here (which applies to 96-early build 99 non SHO models) http://www.v8sho.com/SHO/images/sales%20brochure/97h.JPG

Like MWT said, the rear disc brakes w/ABS were always standard on the G3 SHO.

This guy is correct in his information. I have a 2003 Ford Taurus SES and I just converted my rear drum brakes to disc. I have looked everywhere and in junkyards and Ford did not make a Taurus GEN IV car with rear disc brakes. It is a new millenium and all that. We can send guys to the moon, but we are still putting STUPID drum brakes on automobiles. I hate drum brakes and always have. i haaaaaaate changing them. They will never outperform disc brakes. Disc brakes do stop better and are more responsive to the pedal. I found that if you go to a junkyard and locate a GEN III car with disc brakes, you can take the caliper mounting bracket plate off of that car and it will mount to the GEN IV cars. Once all the brake hardware and hub assemblies are off, it is the plate that is bolted to the rear wheel spindles with 4 bolts. Take out those bolts and beat the plate off gently with a hammer. I would just take the plates though. The car is in the junkyard for a reason. The calipers, caliper brackets, brake hoses, and E-brake cables can be bought new at a reasonable price at www.automotivepartswarehouse.com (http://www.automotivepartswarehouse.com). You do not have to run new brake lines up to the master cylinder. Simply, purchase the brake caliper hoses for a rear disc car and it will connect to the factory lines just fine. Don't forget new copper washers between the brake line and caliper. If you want to keep your ABS working, then you have to buy new wheel hub assemblies and change over your wheel sensors. I chose to leave them since my ABS failed and I have the fuses pulled. I bought cross-drilled powerslot rotors with Green Stuff Kevlar brake pads and it looks sweeeeeet behind the new aftermarket rims. It stops like a race car too. Best thing I have done to that car.