1999 Chevy 3500 4wd pickup. How in the cornbread hell do to take off the retainer cap on the pin at the brake switch assembly?? I am replacing the hydro-boost......man what a job! GRrrrrrrrrrrr... Thanks for any help.

Hello,

REMOVAL

1. Disconnect the wire harness at the connector from the stoplight switch.

NOTE: Locking tab on connector must be lifted before connector can be removed.

1. Remove the hairpin retainer and slide the stoplight switch, the push rod and the nylon washers and bushing away from the brake pedal. Remove the stoplight switch by sliding the stoplight switch up/down as required to remove.

NOTE: Since the stoplight switch side plate nearest the brake pedal is slotted, it is not necessary to remove the brake master cylinder push rod and one spacer washer from the brake pedal pin.

INSTALLATION

1. Position stoplight switch so that the U-shaped side is nearest the brake pedal and directly over or under the pin. Then slide stoplight switch down or up trapping the master cylinder push rod and black bushing between the stoplight switch side plates. Push stoplight switch and push rod assembly firmly toward brake pedal arm. Assemble outside white plastic washer to pin and install hairpin retainer to trap whole assembly.

CAUTION: Do not substitute other types of pin retainers. Replace only with a production hairpin retainer. Component damage may occur.

1. Assemble the wire harness connector to the stoplight switch.

NOTE: Stoplight switch wire harness must have sufficient length to travel with stoplight switch during full stroke of brake pedal. If wire length is insufficient, reroute harness or service as required.

1. Check stoplight switch for proper operation.

I HAVE DONE THIS. NOT A PICNIC. GET A NEW SWITCH, SO YOU KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR. UNDER THE DASH, & AGAINST THE FIREWALL, THERE IS A FACTORY ROUND RETAINER CLIP THAT IS HARD TO REMOVE. WHEN THAT IS OFF, YOU CAN PULL OUT & PUSH UP & WIGGLE TO GET THE SWITCH OUT & UNPLUG IT. ONCE THE NEW SWITCH IS BACK IN PLACE, A HAIRPIN CLIP FROM THE HARDWARE STORE WILL HOLD THE SWITCH IN PLACE. I HOPE YOU HAVE SMALL HANDS. I DON'T.

Section 06-03: Brakes, Front Disc 1999 Taurus, Sable Workshop Manual REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION Brake Shoe and Lining Removal

1. Remove brake master cylinder filler cap (2162). Check fluid level in brake master cylinder reservoir (2K478) . Remove brake fluid until brake master cylinder reservoir is half full. Discard removed fluid.
   

1. Raise vehicle on hoist.
   

1. Remove wheel and tire assembly from front disc brake rotor mounting face. Use care to avoid damage or interference with disc brake caliper (2B120) , front disc brake rotor shield (2K004) or front wheel knuckle (3K185) .
   

1. Remove rear brake pin retainers (2N386).
   

1. NOTE: It is not necessary to disconnect hydraulic connections.
   
   Lift disc brake caliper from front disc brake caliper anchor plate (2B292) and front disc brake rotor (1125) . Do not pry directly against metal caliper piston or damage will occur.
   

1. NOTE: To prevent damage, do not allow disc brake caliper to hang by the front brake hose (2078) .
   
   Position disc brake caliper out of the way.
   

1. Remove inner outer brake shoe and lining (2001) assembly from front disc brake caliper anchor plate .
   

1. Inspect both rotor braking surfaces. Minor scoring or buildup of lining material does not require machining or replacement of front disc brake rotor.
   

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remove the 2 pins, #10 in pic. Usually has a dust cover over pin accessopening. Usually torx haed or hex head bolts (pins).

Sorry. That is the one autozone.com calls for in your car. there is another one in the book for the other trucks. Does yours look like this? If so, instructions pasted below.


Fig. 1 Exploded view of the brake light switch

1. Lift the locking tab on the switch connector and disconnect the wiring.
2. Remove the hairpin retainer, slide the stop lamp switch, pushrod and nylon washer off of the pedal. Remove the washer, then the switch by sliding it up or down.

On trucks equipped with speed control, the spacer washer is replaced by the dump valve adapter washer.

1. To install the switch, position it so that the U-shaped side is nearest the pedal and directly over/under the pin.
2. Slide the switch up or down, trapping the master cylinder pushrod and bushing between the switch side plates.
3. Push the switch and pushrod assembly firmly towards the brake pedal arm. Assemble the outside white plastic washer to the pin and install the hairpin retainer.

CAUTION Don't substitute any other type of retainer. Use only the Ford specified hairpin retainer.

1. Assemble the connector on the switch.
2. Check stop lamp operation.

Stop Lamp Switch Removal & Installation To Remove:

1. Disconnect battery negative cable.
2. Disarm the air bag system.
   
   
3. Using snap ring pliers, remove pushrod retainer from brake pedal pin.
4. Remove stop lamp switch from pushrod.
5. Disconnect stop lamp switch electrical connector.

To Install:

1. Connect stop lamp switch electrical connector.
2. Snap stop lamp switch onto pushrod.
3. Using an 11 mm socket, push pushrod retainer clip onto brake pedal pin.
4. Connect battery negative cable.
5. Arm the air bag system.

Rear Turn Signal, Brake & Parking Lights The taillamps, stoplamps and rear turn signals lamps are all incorporated into the rear taillamps. The taillamps are lit whenever the parking lamps or headlamps are in operation. The rear turn signal lamps flash with the front turn signal lamps whenever a turn is indicated with the turn signal/headlamp dimmer switch. The stoplamps light whenever the brake pedal is depressed and the stoplamp switch is closed.





The trim panel is likely held in place with retainers like this. Back out the screw to release tension on the pin legs and remove the fastener



The taillamp is retained by plastic wingnuts



Remove the plastic wing nuts from the taillamp housing



Remove the taillamp housing from the vehicle to service the light bulbs

1. Open the rear compartment (trunk).
   
2. If equipped, unhook the convenience net that stretches between the taillamps. It is attached to hooks molded into the plastic taillamp assembly retaining wingnuts. Loosen the rear compartment trim panel. It is retained by plastic pins with a screw in the center. Back out the screw to release any tension on the plastic pin legs, and pull the trim (thin carpet-like material) for access to the taillamps.
   
3. Remove the plastic taillamp assembly retaining wingnuts.
   
4. Remove the taillamp assembly from the vehicle and service the light bulbs as required.
   
5. Installation is the reverse of the removal process.
   
6. Test the lights for correct operation.
   

don't have topaz. maybe escort will help guide you.

Section 04-02: Suspension and Wheel Hubs, Rear 1996 Escort, Tracer Workshop Manual
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION Wheel Bearing and Hub Assembly NOTE: Wheel bearings are not serviceable and should therefore be replaced as an assembly with the wheel hub (1104).

Removal

1. Raise and support the vehicle.
   

1. Remove the wheel and tire assembly.
   

1. Remove the hub grease cap (1131) from the wheel hub.
   

1. If equipped with disc brakes, remove the rear disc brake caliper (2552) and rear disc brake rotor (2C026). Refer to Section 06-04 for the removal procedure.
   

1. If equipped with drum brakes, remove the two brake drum screws and the brake drum (1126).
   

1. Unstake the rear axle wheel hub retainer (4B477) securing the wheel hub to the rear wheel spindle (4A013). Remove and discard the rear axle wheel hub retainer.
   
2. Remove the wheel hub from the rear wheel spindle.

REMOVE BRAKES, ON BACK SIDE OF SPINDLE REMOVE FOUR RETAINING BOLTS AND HUB ASSEMBLY SHOULD COME OFF.. MAY HAVE TO TAP WITH A HAMMER TO BREAK FREE FROM THE SPINDLE... BE SURE TO THOUOUGHLY CLEAN THE SPINDLE BEFORE INSTALLING NEW BEARING ASSEMBLY.

Replace the push button selector assembly. Common failures. If that isnt the problem then the encoder motor on transfer case has failed. Try switch first.