How to Change Brakes on a Ford Escape 2003
by Ashton Daigle
Your 2003 Ford Escape is a four-door sport utility vehicle (SUV) that comes equipped with front disc brakes and rear drum brakes. You should change your front brakes once every 15,000 miles. The rear drum brakes do not require maintenance as frequently -- once every 20,000 to 25,000 miles. However, if you hear scraping or screeching noises when you apply your brakes, you may need to change them sooner.
Front Brakes
Step 1
Place your Escape in park and engage the emergency brakes.
Step 2
Loosen the lug nuts on both front tires.
Step 3
Jack up your Escape and set the jack stands under the front frame securely and then lower vehicle on them.
Step 4
Remove the lug nuts from both front tires and pull them off.
Step 5
Loosen and remove the two retaining bolts on the inside of the driver's-side wheel with the socket set.
Step 6
Place the C-clamp onto the brake caliper and use it to depress the caliper piston until it is flush against the inside of the caliper wall.
Step 7
Remove the pin that runs through the caliper with needle-nose pliers. This will loosen the old brake pads. Slip the new brake pads in and replace the pin. Set the caliper back over the rotor and replace the two retaining bolts.
Step 8
Repeat steps 5 through 7 to replace the passenger-side brakes.
Step 9
Replace both tires and lug nuts and tighten them with the lug wrench.
Step 10
Lower the vehicle down from the jack and finish tightening the lugs nuts.
Rear Drum Brakes
Step 1
Loosen the lug nuts on both back tires and then jack up the rear end. Set the jack stands in place under the rear frame and lower your Escape onto them.
Step 2
Remove the lug nuts from both tires and pull the tires off.
Step 3
Remove the brake drum from the wheel hub on both rear tires.
Step 4
Remove the adjuster spring from the rear driver's-side brakes.
Step 5
Disconnect the adjuster spring from the both brake shoes on the rear driver's-side wheel hub and then remove both shoes.
Step 6
Set the two new shoes for the rear driver's side in place and then replace the two springs.
Step 7
Repeat steps 4 through 6 to replace the rear passenger-side brake shoes.
Step 8
Slip the brake drums back on the wheel hubs of both rear tires.
Step 9
Replace the both rear tires and screw the lug nuts back on with the lug wrench.
Step 10
Lower vehicle down from the jack stands and tighten all lugs again with the lug wrench.
References
- "Ford Escape & Mazda Tribute, '01-'07 Automotive Repair Manual'; John H. Haynes; 2008
Things You'll Need
- Lug wrench
- Jack
- Jack stands
- Socket set
- Bungee cord
- C-clamp
- Needle-nose pliers
- Replacement front and rear brakes
Writer Bio
Ashton Daigle, a New Orleans native, graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University in 1998 and went straight to work as a journalist. In 2005 he tackled the biggest news story of his life - Hurricane Katrina. Daigle is writing a collection of essays: What It Means to be a Saints Fan.
