QuestionDinger,
I got the info on the special tool from Allexperts about a month ago. I confirmed with folks from Autozone. Can you recheck. I wrote again because of the front brake problem that I recently noticed. The front brakes/rotors were replaced by the Lincoln dealer I bought the car from about 15K miles ago.
This is the 3rd set of front rotors I put on this car since I bought it. I have only put 47K on this car..help-------------------------
Followup To
Question -
I have a 1999 Lincoln continental in need of replacement brakes on the back. I have been told that you need a tool to turn the calipers in to fit the new pads. Now I have another question before I start the job; During a recent long trip I noticed that the hotter the front brakes became the worse the front wheels would shake when braking hard(the front pads and discs look good). I know that is a sign that the discs are warped but why don't they do the same thing when they are cool.
Also, do you need the same tool to turn the front calipers in as used on the rear or do you compress them like most other car calipers...anythink else I should be aware of concerning either the rear or front pads. I have changed many disc brakes pads on my other cars in the past and I know all makes are unique.Thank you
Mike
Answer -
Sorry Mike, I thought I answered this one earlier today at lunch.
There is no special tool you need unless someone installed a Cadillac rear brake system on your car. That "screw" in type of rear caliper is used on early (90ish) Caddies. You could still do it with plyers though.
The vibration you feel when the brakes get hot is your rotors. Someone probably installed what we call "econo's" on your car. These are used by the cheap brake places you hear advertized and some "under cut" auto repair places or they are just so worn out they don't have any strength left. You will curtainly want to replace those. They do not belong on a Lincoln anyways! Maybe a Neon. LOL
Since you have experience with doing your own brakes, this will not be a challenge and you will not run into anything unusual and should only take a six pack ;). Just do not use ceramic pads. They are nice because they leave no black dust, but they are very hard and do not stop heavy cars very well. You will wear out your brake pedal leg with these. Depending on how you want to do this, the better pads (more $$$) are well worth it. I just went through all this with my Navie and my goodness, what a difference. Let me know how it went! If you need anything else, let me know!
AnswerWell, Sir... I stand corrected. I have never seen these on a Lincoln and they sure aren't on my 2000 Navie or my mechanic's 1995 Town Car. Thank you for pointing this out.
I also found a TSB reguarding the vibration and shop procedure changes to resurfacing/replacing rotors and pads. The TSB number is 99-19-4. You can find this on the web. I states that the new procedure will to not turn down rotors that are within .060 of limit. My take on this is that the dealer had been turning rotors to thin causing vibration when heated up. There is a new rotor and a new pad. This is not a recall, just a TSB. I am using this to point out that even the dealer/manufacturer can make mistakes and I stand by the diagnosis of poor front rotors or overturned to be too thin. If you replace the rotors and use good pads you won't be sorry.
