How do you change front brake pads on a 1991 Ford Escort LX?

1. Jack up the front of the car and support it with stands. Don't trust a jack!
2. Take off the front wheels.
3. There is a large assembly with a brake line going into the back of it. Take the two bolts off of the back this thing called the caliper.
4. Slide the caliper up and away from the rotor (brake disc). But, before you do this you will have to relieve the piston pressure on the pads. Stick a slot screwdriver between the inside brake pad and the disc. Pry towards the car. This will relileve the pressure so you can slide the caliper off.
5. The brake pads just are taken off out of the caliper once it is off. They just slip out. You don't have to loosen anything.
6. Compress the piston all the way back into the caliper to allow room for new pads which are thicker. I use a large pair of pump pliers. If you are a strong guy you may be able to push the piston back in with your hand.
7. When you put in the new pads make sure the shims between the caliper piston and brake pads are put in there. Also, not how the springs are installed on the pads and put them back in that way. If you don't they will make a clacking noise when you apply the brakes.
8. Slide the caliper over the disc and put the 2 bolts back in through the back. Tighten them up to a 57 ft. lbs. If you don't have a torqe wrench put about the amount of effort it would take to lift 57 lbs. into tightening the caliper bolts.
9. Congratulations. You just rebuilt your brakes, yourself!