Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Brakes Retrofitting rear disc brakes

I know this is probably going to be a pain in the rear to find and install, but I am thinking about installing rear discs from a wrecked Contour. I have one of the "decontented" SE Sports and CANNOT believe ford put drum brakes on a car with 130MPH capability in the 90's. I am not sure which models of contour had the rear discs but I am sure at least that the SVT and pre-98 SE had them, the ones with ABS anyhow. Can anybody come up with a parts list of what I would need - I'm thinking: Rotors, Calipers, Caliper Mounting brackets, rear dust shields, parking brake assembly/cables, hoses (prolly just do the stainless ones) and last but not least the proportioning valve from the donor car. Am I missing anything? I am also considering just getting some Mintex shoes for the drum brakes in the interim until I source all these parts.


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$6800 Used 98.5 SE Sport!

'96 V6's have discs allround.You need the lower suspension knuckle & hub,the calipers bolt to it.

Terry, is that right that a post 98 SE Sport wouldn't have disks in the rear? I have a '00 SE Sport, sans ABS and I have disks in the rear. Things that make you go hmmmm?

Nick

I think there is a transaxle variable as well. If you have the ATX, you get drums, if you have an MTX, you get disks.

Gee Ford, would discs all around for all cars have been cheaper in volume?

TB

What about the master cylinder?In the "old" days the resevoir for the drum side was smaller due to self energizing effect of the pivoting shoes,or something like that.Sorry guys.Its been a long time since auto shop.Anyway, maybe they're all the same these days but check into it.

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JKT blk.99 svt

excellent brake and other FAQ i found by chance......
http://www.olympiakos.com/svt-faq/node17.html#SECTION00070000000000000000

To the best of my knowledge no one has done this conversion yet. I'm sure that it is doable but there would be a lot to it. It would be great if someone made a kit for it like they do for the ZX2. Your best bet is to find a donor car from a wrecking yard so you can get everything needed even if you still need to buy some new parts because of wear or condition. Let us know how it works out.

Also be aware that if your car has pressure reducing valves (you know the valves in the brake lines just before the rear flex lines that are often being replace on recalls) keep in mind that they are different if you have ABS. ABS cars are not involved in the recall and have a different part number. The part number is the same for non-ABS with either disc or drum brakes.

Jim Johnson
98 SVT

well everybody this mod is going to be done this week. i have a set of rear disk brakes parts that i got last week off a 2000 wrecked svt. i will keep everybody posted on what happen's. i have drums in my back. they just don't cut anymore with the mods i have done to my car. i will keep everybody informed on what happen's

I was at Ford ordering new bushings for the rear lower control arms. Apparently, the rear control arms are different on disc brake cars also. Looks like this will be a BIG job, if anyone attempts it.

Looks like Mintex shoes for me then..........unless I find a complete disc brake rear'd car in a junkyard for a song sometime. Anyone tried Mintex shoes (not pads) in their 'Tour?
I seemed to recall a MM&FF article about preparing mustangs for Auto-x'ing and that disc brakes on the rear weren't required for the lower speed classes - just good pads and fluid, possibly armored teflon/steel braided lines etc..........so this looks like the route I'll take.

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$6800 Used 98.5 SE Sport!