How to Install Wilwood Superlite 6R Front Brake Kit w/ 14 in. Slotted Rotors - Red (94-04 All) on your Ford Mustang

Before any tear-down or disassembly begins, review the following information:

• Review the wheel clearance diagram (figure 2, page 3) to verify that there is adequate clearance with the wheels you will be using with the installation.

• Front brake kits do not include flex lines. OEM brake lines will not adapt to Wilwood calipers. Check the assembly instructions, or associated components section for brake line recommendations before assembly. In addition, Wilwood offers an extensive listing of brake lines and fittings on our web site: www.wilwood.com.

• Due to OEM production differences and other variations from vehicle to vehicle, the fastener hardware and other components in this kit may not be suitable for a specific application or vehicle.

• It is the responsibility of the purchaser and installer of this kit to verify suitability / fitment of all components and ensure all fasteners and hardware achieve complete and proper engagement. Improper or inadequate engagement can lead to component failure.

Important and highly recommended: Take photos of brake system before disassembly and during the disassembly process. In the event, trouble-shooting photos can be life savers. Many vehicles have undocumented variations, photos will make it much simpler for Wilwood to assist you if you have a problem.

Installation of this kit should ONLY be performed by persons experienced in the installation and proper operation of disc brake systems. Before assembling the Wilwood front disc brake kit, double check the following items to ensure a trouble-free installation.

•Make sure this is the correct kit to match the exact make and model year of the vehicles spindle (i.e., hubs for a 1980 Mustang spindle will not fit a 1997 Mustang spindle).

•Verify the factory hub stud pattern matches the brake hat in this kit.

•Verify your wheel clearance using Figure 2.

•Inspect the package contents against the parts list to ensure that all components and hardware are included.

Disassembly

•Disassemble the original equipment front brakes: Raise the front wheels off the ground and support the front suspension according to the vehicle manufacturer’s instructions. Remove the wheel. Remove the two bolts from the backside of the spindle that hold the stock caliper mounting bracket and lift off the bracket and stock caliper as one unit. If space is a problem, you may have to unbolt the stock caliper from the caliper bracket before removal. Save the stock caliper mounting bracket bolts, they will be utilized during reassembly, then slide off the stock hat and rotor assembly. Optional: Removal of the dust face plate to facilitate easy removal of additional parts and/or for aesthetic purposes if you will be running spoked wheel and would like to see the drilled/slotted rotor.

•Clean and de-grease the spindles as well as the stock caliper bracket bolts. Remove all nicks or burrs on the spindle snout and threads.

Assembly Instructions (numbers in parenthesis refer to the part list/diagram on the preceding page):

•Apply red Loctite® 271 to the stock caliper mounting bracket bolt threads before installation of the caliper mounting bracket (1). Install the stock bolts from the near side (opposite from the way they were removed) and place a washer (2) between the spindle assembly and the caliper mounting bracket (1). Torque stock bolts to 65 ft-lb.

•With the larger I.D. side of the rotor (3) facing away from the hat (4), bolt rotor (3) to hat (4) through the backside of the rotor using washers (5) and bolts (6). Using an alternating sequence, apply red Loctite® 271 to the threads and torque bolts to 155 in-lb. For an added measure of security, the bolts may be safety wired using standard 0.032 inch diameter stainless steel safety wire as shown in Figure 3. Please refer to Wilwood’s data sheet DS- 386 (available at www.wilwood.com/Pdf/DataSheets/ds386.pdf) for complete safety wire installation instructions. Slide the rotor/hat assembly onto the spindle. Install a couple of lug nuts (hand tighten) to keep the rotor/hat assembly in place while continuing with the installation.

• With the bleed screws pointing up, mount the caliper (7) onto the caliper bracket (1) with the self locking hex nut (8), flat washer (9), through the top of the caliper and mounting stud (10) with flat washer (11) and spacer (12) positioned between caliper (7) and caliper mounting bracket (1). Finger tighten. View the rotor (3) through the top opening of the caliper (7). The rotor (3) should be aligned in the center of the caliper (7). If not, adjust the caliper (7) by using 0.035 inch thick shims (2) placed between the spindle assembly and the caliper mounting bracket (1). Finger tighten and recheck alignment. Lubricate caliper mounting studs and nuts with lightweight oil, reinstall the caliper, torque the caliper nuts to 28 ft-lb.

•Remove the bridge bolt from the caliper (7) and install the disc brake pads (13). Reinstall the caliper bridge bolt.

•Remove the two lug nuts that were used to hold the rotor/hat assembly in place during caliper installation.

•Install the wheel and lug nuts, torque to OEM specifications.

•Repeat the procedure for the other wheel.

•NOTE: OEM rubber brake hoses generally cannot be adapted to Wilwood calipers. The caliper inlet fitting is a 1/8-27 NPT. The preferred method is to use steel adapter fittings at the caliper, either straight, 45 or 90 degree and enough steel braided line to allow for full suspension travel and turning radius, lock to lock. Carefully route lines to prevent contact with moving suspension, brake or wheel components. Wilwood hose kits are designed for use in many different vehicle applications and it is the installer's responsibility to properly route and ensure adequate clearance and retention for brake hose components. Wilwood offers a hose kit, P/N 220-6458, which includes hoses, fittings, etc., all in one package for this application.

•Specified brake hose kits may not work with all Years, Makes and Models of vehicle that this brake kit is applicable to, due to possible OEM manufacturing changes during a production vehicle's life. It is the installer's responsibility to ensure that all fittings and hoses are the correct size and length, to ensure proper sealing and that they will not be subject to crimping, strain and abrasion from vibration or interference with suspension components, brake rotor or wheel.

•In absence of specific instructions for brake line routing, the installer must use his best professional judgment on correct routing and retention of lines to ensure safe operation. Test vehicle brake system per the 'minimum test' procedure stated within this document before driving. After road testing, inspect for leaks and interference. Initially after install and testing, perform frequent checks of the vehicle brake system and lines before driving, to confirm that there is no undue wear or interference not apparent from the initial test. Afterwards, perform periodic inspections for function, leaks and wear in a interval relative to the usage of vehicle.

• Bleed the brake system. Reference the general information and recommendations on page 5 for proper bleeding instructions.

•Fill and bleed the new system with Wilwood Hi-Temp° 570 grade fluid or higher. For severe braking or sustained high heat operation, use Wilwood EXP 600 Plus Racing Brake Fluid. Used fluid must be completely flushed from the system to prevent contamination. NOTE: Silicone DOT 5 brake fluid is NOT recommended for racing or performance driving.

•To properly bleed the brake system, begin with the caliper farthest from the master cylinder. Bleed the outboard bleed screw first, then the inboard. Repeat the procedure until all calipers in the system are bled, ending with the caliper closest to the master cylinder. NOTE: When using a new master cylinder, it is important to bench bleed the master cylinder first.

•If the master cylinder is mounted lower than the disc brake calipers, some fluid flowback to the master cylinder reservoir may occur, creating a vacuum effect that retracts the caliper pistons into the housing. This will cause the pedal to go to the floor on the first stroke until it has “pumped up” and moved all the pistons out against the pad again. A Wilwood in-line two pound residual pressure valve, installed near the master cylinder will stop the fluid flowback and keep the pedal firm and responsive.

•Test the brake pedal. It should be firm, not spongy and stop at least 1 inch from the floor under heavy load. If the brake pedal is spongy, bleed the system again.

If the brake pedal is initially firm, but then sinks to the floor, check the system for fluid leaks. Correct the leaks (if applicable) and then bleed the system again.

If the brake pedal goes to the floor and continued bleeding of the system does not correct the problem, a master cylinder with increased capacity (larger bore diameter) will be required. Wilwood offers various lightweight master cylinders with large fluid displacement capacities.

•NOTE: With the installation of after market disc brakes, the wheel track may change depending on the application. Check your wheel offset before final assembly.

•On some models of disc brake spindles there are “ears” where the OEM calipers were mounted and these “ears” interfere with the assembly of the Wilwood disc brake kit. If it becomes necessary to remove these “ears”, remove as little as possible being careful not to cut away any of the mounting holes that may be required to bolt on the caliper mounting bracket.

•If after following the instructions, you still have difficulty in assembling or bleeding your Wilwood disc brakes, consult your local chassis builder, or retailer where the kit was purchased for further assistance.

WARNING • DO NOT DRIVE ON UNTESTED BRAKES BRAKES MUST BE TESTED AFTER INSTALLATION OR MAINTENANCE MINIMUM TEST PROCEDURE

• Make sure pedal is firm: Hold firm pressure on pedal for several minutes, it should remain in position without sinking. If pedal sinks toward floor, check system for fluid leaks. DO NOT drive vehicle if pedal does not stay firm or can be pushed to the floor with normal pressure.

• At very low speed (2-5 mph) apply brakes hard several times while turning steering from full left to full right, repeat several times. Remove the wheels and check that components are not touching, rubbing, or leaking.

• Carefully examine all brake components, brake lines, and fittings for leaks and interference.

• Make sure there is no interference with wheels or suspension components.

• Drive vehicle at low speed (15-20 mph) making moderate and hard stops. Brakes should feel normal and positive. Again check for leaks and interference.

• Always test vehicle in a safe place where there is no danger to (or from) other people or vehicles. 

• Always wear seat belts and make use of all safety equipment.

BEDDING STEPS FOR NEW PADS AND ROTORS – ALL COMPOUNDS

Once the brake system has been tested and determined safe to operate the vehicle, follow these steps for the bedding of all new pad materials and rotors. These procedures should only be performed on a race track, or other safe location where you can safely and legally obtains speeds up to 65 MPH, while also being able to rapidly decelerate.

• Begin with a series of light decelerations to gradually build some heat in the brakes. Use an on-and-off the pedal technique by applying the brakes for 3-5 seconds, and then allow them to fully release for a period roughly twice as long as the deceleration cycle. If you use a 5 count during the deceleration interval, use a 10 count during the release to allow the heat to sink into the pads and rotors.

• After several cycles of light stops to begin warming the brakes, proceed with a series of medium to firm deceleration stops to continue raising the temperature level in the brakes.

• Finish the bedding cycle with a series of 8-10 hard decelerations from 55-65 MPH down to 25 MPH while allowing a proportionate release and heat-sinking interval between each stop. The pads should now be providing positive and consistent response.

• If any amount of brake fade is observed during the bed-in cycle, immediately begin the cool down cycle.

• Drive at a moderate cruising speed, with the least amount of brake contact possible, until most of the heat has dissipated from the brakes. Avoid sitting stopped with the brake pedal depressed to hold the car in place during this time. Park the vehicle and allow the brakes to cool to ambient air temperature.

COMPETITION VEHICLES

• If your race car is equipped with brake cooling ducts, blocking them will allow the pads and rotors to warm up quicker and speed up the bedding process.

• Temperature indicating paint on the rotor and pad edges can provide valuable data regarding observed temperatures during the bedding process and subsequent on-track sessions. This information can be highly beneficial when evaluating pad compounds and cooling efficiencies.

POST-BEDDING INSPECTION – ALL VEHICLES

• After the bedding cycle, the rotors should exhibit a uniformly burnished finish across the entire contact face. Any surface irregularities that appear as smearing or splotching on the rotor faces can be an indication that the brakes were brought up to temperature too quickly during the bedding cycle. If the smear doesn’t blend away after the next run-in cycle, or if chatter under braking results, sanding or resurfacing the rotors will be required to restore a uniform surface for pad contact.

PRE-RACE WARM UP

• Always make every effort to get heat into the brakes prior to each event. Use an on-and-off the pedal practice to warm the brakes during the trip to the staging zone, during parade laps before the flag drops, and every other opportunity in an effort to build heat in the pads and rotors. This will help to ensure best consistency, performance, and durability from your brakes.

DYNO BEDDED COMPETITION PADS AND ROTORS

• Getting track time for a proper pad and rotor bedding session can be difficult. Wilwood offers factory dyno-bedded pads and rotors on many of our popular competition pads and Spec 37 GT series rotors. Dyno-bedded parts are ready to race on their first warm up cycle. This can save valuable time and effort when on-track time is either too valuable or not available at all, Dyno-bedding assures that your pads and rotors have been properly run-in and are ready to go. Contact your dealer or the factory for more information on Wilwood Dyno-Bedding services.

NOTE: NEVER allow the contact surfaces of the pads or rotors to be contaminated with brake fluid. Always use a catch bottle with a hose to prevent fluid spill during all brake bleeding procedures.