In a larger vehicle, such as the 1995 Mercury Villager, the brake pads typically last 20,000 to 30,000 miles, depending on the style of driving. Heavy hauling of stop-and-go traffic can speed the wear of the pads. It is important to change the brake pads as soon as they wear out, as excessively worn pads can lead to additional brake problems, such as rotor wear, caliper leakage or complete brake failure. Because of this, it is important to check the brake pads at every oil change interval, or if they begin making noise.

Instructions

1

Loosen -- but do not remove -- the front lug nuts, with the ratchet and socket.

2

Raise the front of the vehicle with the floor jack, and support it with jack stands.

3

Remove the lug nuts, and pull the wheels from the vehicle. Place the lug nuts in a secure area away from your workspace.

4

Look at the rear of the brake caliper, and locate the upper and lower caliper bolts. Loosen and remove the upper and lower caliper bolts, using the ratchet and socket.

5

Pull the caliper away from the brake assembly, and attach it to a suspension component with the bungee strap.

6

Grasp the inner and outer brake pads, and pull them from the brake assembly. Take note of how the brake pads are positioned, as they must be replaced in the same fashion.

7

Place the new brake pads on the brake assembly, in the same fashion the old ones were before removal.

8

Look at the inside portion of the brake caliper. Locate the calipers piston, the metal cylinder inside the caliper.

9

Position the C-clamp over the caliper so the fixed portion is contacting the rear of the caliper body and the screw portion is contacting the caliper piston.

10

Loosen the C-clamp slightly, and slide an old brake pad between the screw portion of the C-clamp and the caliper piston. Tighten the C-clamp to hold the pad in place. This protects the caliper piston from being damaged.

11

Tighten the C-clamp, and observe as the caliper piston begins to slide into the caliper. Continue tightening until the piston stops moving. This creates the clearance needed for the new, thicker, brake pads.

12

Place the caliper over the new brake pads, and hand-tighten the upper and lower caliper bolts.

13

Tighten the upper and lower caliper bolts to 23 to 38 foot-pounds, using the torque wrench and a socket.

14

Repeat steps 4 through 13 for the brake pads on the other side of the vehicle.

15

Place the wheels back on the vehicle, and hand-tighten the lug nuts.

16

Remove the jack stands from under the vehicle, and slowly lower it to the ground.

17

Tighten the lug nuts to 83 to 112 foot-pounds, using the torque wrench and a socket.

18

Press and release the brake pedal repeatedly until it feels firm.

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