Help With Front Brake Job 1999 Windstar SEL

[smata67]

I had some trouble figuring out how to install the damn clips on the front pads. Of course no instructions or pictures in the Wagner Thermoquiet box. Two different sized clips came in the box. The existing install had the shorter clips installed on the piston side with the tabs facing inward towards the car. The outer pads had the longer clips with the tabs facing outward. I took a picture of the outer pad, does it look right?

Second question, are all four pads identical? Seems like you'd want to have a different ridge type on the outer pads to mate with the caliper than on the inside that mates with the piston. They were identical in the pad I removed, but forgot to check on the installed ones.

Image:

http://img136.imageshack.us/my.php?i...1010042vp8.jpg

Also, you can see that I slightly bent the ears on the anti-rattle clip, was this proper? I can undo it if necessary, still haven't done it to the other side.

[wiswind]

I am not an expert by any means....and I cannot tell much from your picture (more my lack of experience).

The link in my signature takes you to pictures of my front brake job on my '96...and should be pretty much like yours....if they are different....I would not know what to say as my brake experience is really limited to my own vehicle.
Also, Autozone has repair information on their website....maybe some pictures / diagrams that will be of help.

I have always wanted more diagrams and pictures than repair manuals provide.
One reason that I take pictures during my projects is that it helps me figure out how to put it back together.

I looked up the information on ALLDATADIY and they show just what I have in my pictures....but my subscription only lets me see the 1996 repair information.

[MARZBX157]

The longer clips go on the lower part of the bracket, and the shorter clips go on the top. The tabs on the clips should be positioned facing away from the disc.
(2000 Ford Repair CD).

[smata67]

Originally Posted by MARZBX157

The longer clips go on the lower part of the bracket, and the shorter clips go on the top. The tabs on the clips should be positioned facing away from the disc.
(2000 Ford Repair CD).

You are absolutely correct I finally found a diagram posted on the net. It really ought to be on here. Neither the Chilton manual nor the brake box had this simple picture that is now going to require me to redo the brake job as I did it incorrectly.

Anti-Rattle Clip Installation:

http://groups.msn.com/FordWindstar/s...oto&PhotoID=46

Someone should make a copy of it for the site, as I do not know how long the picture will be available here.
Find a car repair manual for your Ford Windstar Repair Question.

[MARZBX157]

Yes, that is the same image on my Ford CD. You can see the larger clip go on the bottom and smaller ones on the top. My Ford Repair CD calls them slippers.

[wiswind]

Looks like something different from my '96.
I cannot put the drawing on this site.....as it would be a copyright issue.
Believe me.....there have been many times that I have found a good drawing like that and wished it was OK to post it.
Posting a link to the original website is OK....but not OK to copy the drawing and post here.

[12Ounce]

That is a useful drwg. ... tho one of the pads is drawn in a bit of a confusing way.

Those "tabs" are actually lead-in guides for installing the pads, I believe. I usually apply an all-over thin coating of heavy grease on the "slippers" to hold them in place during installation ... and for the benefit of the pad-ends.

[smata67]

The narrative description in Post #3 is good enough to figure out how to do it. One could always do a quick hand sketch and post that. I had my tools out, so it took less than an hour to do the re-do. I can't help wonder how many thousands of "noisy brakes" issues on these vehicles is due to the complicated slipper installation. I've got the Thermo Quiets on and all seems well. This summer I'll pop the slides out and lube them, that should be a standard part of the pad install as everything is there, but I did not have the proper lube. Found some stabilizer bar issues that will make another post.

[MrCreosote]

Here is a photo based on what I believe this thread said. Did I get it right?

Thanks
Tom