Change Brake Pads on a 1995 Ford Contour

The 1995 Ford Contour was available with front-wheel disc brakes. The disc brakes were designed to employ a system, involving brake pads and metal brake rotors. The pads are responsible for squeezing the rotors to slow the vehicle during braking. Brake pads that are worn are ill-equipped to provide the stopping power necessary for safe driving. Listen for the squeal from the brake pad wear indicators, or follow the guidelines of the Ford Motor Company, and replace your Contour brake pads every 50,000 miles
Procedure:
1. Park the Contour on a relatively flat surface. Place tire blocks behind the rear wheels to prevent the car from rolling. Loosen the lug nuts on the front wheels with the lug wrench.
2. Lift the front of the Ford with the lifting jack, and support the front axles with at least two jack stands. Remove the lug nuts, and take off the front wheels.
3. Remove the caliper pins with the 10-mm wrench. Lift the caliper from the brake assembly, and slide the two brake pads from each wheel brake caliper. Use a flat screwdriver to pry the clips on the backs of the brake pads from the caliper, if they do not easily slide free.
4. Place the C-clamp onto the caliper piston and the back side of the caliper. Open the brake bleed valve (located between the two caliper pin slots) with a 10-mm socket wrench. Place a drip pane beneath the caliper, to catch the brake fluid from the valve.
5. Squeeze the piston into the side of the caliper with the C-clamp. Remove the clamp, once the piston is fully depressed within the caliper, and close the bleed valve with the wrench.
6. Slide the new brake pads onto the sides of the caliper. Place the caliper back onto the rotor and screw in the caliper pins with the wrench. Replace the wheels onto the Contour wheel bolts, and screw on the lug nuts. Lift the car with the jack, and remove the jack stands. Move to the driver's seat.
7. Start the Ford, and press the brake pedal, repeatedly. The depressions force the caliper pistons back into the proper place against the brake pads. Pull the hood release lever, and move to the front of the car.
8. Lift the hood, and remove the master cylinder cap. The cap is situated to the right of the Contour engine. Place a funnel into the reservoir, and fill the container with DOT-3 brake fluid, as needed. Remove the funnel, and replace the master cylinder cap. Close the hood.