Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Brakes New Brakes

I looking into at least replacing the brakes on my Tour. I think the rear drums are starting to wear because I'm noticing my the fronts seem to be getting to hot and the car tilts front when I brake. The rears did stink for a while too.

I did a little research looking at prices and conversions and such. What are your opinions for brake upgrades on a 1998 ATX Duratec SE Sport? I am planning on spending at least $150 for pads. I believe the front rotors are still fine, but want to put on new pads all the way around.

$150.00 FOR PADS ? will these be gold plated ? Pads should cost you at the MOST $20.00-$60.00 depending on what kind you get ! But not $150.00 . Just take off the rotors and have them turned $8.00 at your local Pep Boys , drums too unless there shot .

Good pads themselves should run you around 50 bucks. To turn rotors, maybe another 20 each (depending on locality).

Stazi sells an OEM brake 'kit' you might PM him, or you can hit up your local autoparts store and get the same thing.

However if 150 is your complete budget for the front, replace (instead of turning) your front rotors.

Should move this to the brake section

It doesn't sound like you need new brakes... Take the wheels off and have a look. I'm in NEPA, where are you? Let me know if you need a hand.

Sorry about the mis-post...Thanks for moving it.

lol I know 150 seems high, but thats what I have to spend for pads on the front and back. I wasn't sure what a good set would run + shipping. thats why I asked.

How hard/expensive is the reat disc conversion? That would probably be a nice upgrade

I'm going to do a little searching for different options/prices. Still would like some more posts

95-00 Contour Front Pad Set 223-MDB1620D $41.50

12/97-02 Contour/Cougar, w/Rear Drums Rear Shoe Set 9" 223-MFR363 $39.50

those are the Mintex A/F pads from SP Motorsports.

95-00 Contour, 260mm Front Rotors 223-AR-8148 $99.90
Front rotors

179.90 ,but there is a "package"


A/F Street $132.00

that is pads and blank rotors for the front + 39.50 for rear pads. And shipping. $171.50 before shipping


now 150 is an undershot haha.

Checked Bat as well. The pads are the same price, but without a combo discount...

I think the best thing right now is to get info on how check to make sure I need new rotors. I think my front brakes might be fine actually. How do you check to tell if the rear drums are working??? (besides the obivious of having the car jacked up and the brakes not stopping tires from spinning.

At this point, the best brake upgrade would be to the larger SVT / Cougar front brakes. You will need the larger rotors, caliper brackets that move the calipers out to clear the larger rotors, and it is almost always best to use new pads with new rotors. You keep the old calipers and it uses the same part number for the pads as before.

To save money, you may want to search wrecking yards for the caliper brackets. It would be easier to find them from a 99 or newer Cougar, but make sure it has the larger front rotors since a few did not. Most likely it will have the larger front brakes if it is a V6, especially if it has rear disc brakes, but still check and make sure.

If you do this conversion, be aware that your spare will not fit over the new front brakes, so you may want to snag the spare from the Cougar in the wrecking yard as well. If you don't change your spare, you will need to use the spare the rear and move a rear wheel to the front in the event of a front flat.

Your stock 15" wheels will fit over the larger brakes.

Save the rear disc brake conversion for another time. The larger fronts will do more for you, even with drum rears. Or, if you are so inclined, get the rear disc brakes off the Cougar at the same time. It is a lot more work to do the rears. Instructions for both of these conversions are pinned threads above here in the brake forum.

ooo the wise and knowledgable. Thank you wise grasshoper I still think I might need brake shoes on the rear. lol Are the brackets something that is normally orderable? If they are on the cougar, can I not just order them at advanced or auto zone? or dare I even want to ponder dealer ( )