How to Replace the SHO Brakes in a Ford Taurus

The Ford Taurus SHO---"Super High Output"---made it debut in 1988 as one of Ford's high-performance automobiles. As an upgraded model of the Ford Taurus Sedan, it received an upgrade in its brake package. The SHO was given the option to have disc brakes on all wheels, which makes them easier to change and makes for more uniform and consistent braking. SHO brakes operate like other braking systems in that hydraulic fluid pushes against a caliper, which forces a pad against a rotor. The friction creates heat, but also slows the vehicle down. Over time, the pad material is thinned out from the friction and must be replaced. When you feel vibration in the steering wheel or when the pad material is 1/8 inch thick, you must replace the SHO brakes in your Ford Taurus.

Instructions

Loosen the front wheel lug nuts by turning them 1/4 turn counterclockwise.

Place the floor jack under the vehicle and jack up on the front jack point of the Taurus located behind the radiator.

Place jack stands underneath the front pinch welds of the vehicle and lower the SHO onto the jack stands.

Repeat steps 1 through 3 for the rear of the vehicle. Jack up on the rear jack point located near the trunk area; use the rear pinch welds for the jack stands.

Continue removing the lug nuts on all wheels once the Taurus is on jack stands. Then pull the wheels off the hub assembly.

Unbolt the upper and lower caliper mounting bolts.

Pull the caliper off the rotor and secure it to the coil springs above the brake assembly.

Remove the brake pads from the SHO's caliper by tapping them from the back with a rubber mallet.

Compress the caliper piston back into the caliper assembly by placing the face of a brake pad over the piston and forcing the pad against the piston with a c-clamp until the piston has been pushed all the way back into the caliper housing.

Pull the rotor straight off the hub assembly. You may need to tap it with a rubber mallet to knock the rotor loose.

Slide the new rotor over the hub assembly.

Insert the new brake pads into the caliper assembly and reassemble the caliper over the rotor.

Place a small amount of thread locker onto the threads of the caliper mounting bolts before re-tightening them on the caliper mounting bracket. Tighten the bolts until you feel significant resistance, then turn the caliper bolts an additional 1/4 turn.

Spray the entire brake assembly down with brake parts cleaner. Remove all brake dust and residue that may have accumulated while you were working.

Put the wheel back on the hub assembly and tighten the lug nuts.

Repeat steps 5 through 14 for all wheels.

Lower the Taurus to the ground and torque the lug nuts to 100 pound feet.