How to Replace the Rear Brakes on a 2000 Mustang

Ford equipped its 2000 model-year Mustangs with four-wheel, anti-lock disc brakes. A hydraulically activated, single-piston caliper houses the rear brake pads. When the brake pedal is depressed, brake fluid pushes the caliper cylinder against the pads, which then apply friction to the brake disc. Brakes require regular maintenance to keep the braking system in working order. Inspect the brakes on your Mustang every 15,000 miles and replace the pads when worn or when the brakes emit a metal-on-metal squealing noise when applied.

Open the hood. Locate the brake master cylinder on the driver's side of the engine compartment in front of the firewall. Wipe dirt and foreign matter from the top of the master cylinder with the shop rag. Remove the master cylinder's filler cap by hand. Suction about half of the brake fluid from the master cylinder.

Break the torque on the rear wheels' lug nuts with the lug-nut wrench. Turn the lug nuts about 1/2 turn counterclockwise.

Raise the rear of the car off the ground. Support the car on jack stands. Remove the lug nuts. Remove the rear wheels.

Remove the rear disc brake caliper bolts with a wrench. Twist the caliper slightly to press the internal piston into the caliper housing, then lift the caliper off the rotor. Observe how the pads are seated inside the caliper housing, and note the orientation of the slippers (the tabs on each end of the pads) and of the spring.

Remove the pads from the cradle of the caliper. Insert the round end of the rear caliper piston adjuster into the piston and then turn it clockwise to press the piston into the caliper. Remove the rear caliper piston adjuster, then hang the caliper inside the wheel well with the bungee cord.

Remove the slippers from the brake pads, Install the slippers on the new pads in the same orientation. Install the pads into the caliper.

Position the caliper on the brake rotor and install the rear disc brake caliper bolts. Torque the caliper bolts to 25 foot-lbs. with the torque wrench.

Install the rear wheels. Raise the rear of the car off the jack stands. Remove the jack stands and lower the car to the ground. Torque the lug nuts to 95 foot-lbs.

Add high-performance DOT 3 motor vehicle brake fluid to the master cylinder. Fill to the "Full" mark. Reinstall the master cylinder's filler cap.

Pump the brake pedal gently several times to seat the caliper pistons properly against the new pads. Recheck the brake fluid level in the master cylinder and top it off as needed.