Drum Brake Shoes - Rear

Complete replacement of rear drum brake shoes on a 1972 Ford F-100 with 302ci V8, including adjustment and verification of proper braking function.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear brake shoe set (left and right) × 1 — Use OEM specification or quality aftermarket
• Brake hardware kit (springs, clips, hold-down pins) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Wheel cylinder rebuild kit or replacement wheel cylinders (if leaking) × 1 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

• DOT 3 brake fluid — 0.75 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid ground. Place transmission in Park (automatic) or first gear (manual).
2. Chock the front wheels securely in both directions.
3. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts while vehicle is still on the ground, but do not remove.
4. Raise rear of vehicle using floor jack at rear axle housing or frame rails per owner's manual.
5. Support vehicle securely on jack stands rated for the truck's weight. Place stands under rear axle housing or frame rails.
6. Remove rear wheels completely and set aside.
7. Verify vehicle stability by gently pushing on rear bumper before working underneath.

Procedure

1. 1

   Inspect and remove brake drum
   Inspect the brake drum for a retaining clip or speed nut on one or more wheel studs; if present, remove with pliers or screwdriver. If drum does not slide off easily, back off the brake shoe adjustment through the adjustment slot in the backing plate (oval rubber plug must be removed first). Rotate the adjuster star wheel with a brake spoon tool, moving the handle downward to retract shoes. If drum is still stuck, apply penetrating oil around the hub center and tap evenly around the drum face with a rubber mallet. Do not strike the drum edge or friction surface.
2. 2

   Inspect wheel cylinder and drum condition
   With drum removed, visually inspect the wheel cylinder boots for brake fluid leakage. Pull back each boot slightly to check for fluid. If any fluid is present, the wheel cylinder must be rebuilt or replaced before proceeding. Inspect drum friction surface for scoring, cracks, or excessive wear. Minor scoring can be machined; cracks or deep grooves require drum replacement. Measure drum inside diameter if possible and compare to maximum diameter stamped on drum.
3. 3

   Clean and photograph brake assembly
   Before disassembly, take a clear photograph of the brake shoe assembly for reference during reassembly. Note the position of all springs, the adjuster cable, and the automatic adjuster mechanism. Spray brake assembly thoroughly with brake cleaner into a catch pan, allowing all dust to be captured. Never blow off dust with compressed air. Use a wire brush to clean the backing plate ledges where shoes contact, removing all rust and old lubricant.
4. 4

   Remove hold-down springs and pins
   Remove the brake shoe hold-down springs from both shoes. Each shoe has one hold-down assembly consisting of a coil spring, a retainer cap, and a pin that passes through the backing plate. Using brake spring pliers or a hold-down spring tool, press the retainer cap inward while rotating it 90 degrees to align the slot with the flattened pin end, then release. Remove the spring, cap, and pin from each shoe. Keep hardware organized for the correct side.
5. 5

   Disconnect upper return spring
   Using brake spring pliers, grasp the upper return spring (connecting the tops of both shoes) and unhook it from one shoe, then the other. This is a heavy-duty spring under significant tension; control the tool carefully to prevent the spring from flying loose. Set the spring aside with other hardware from this side.
6. 6

   Remove adjuster cable and lever assembly
   Locate the automatic adjuster cable attached to the anchor pin at the top and connected to the adjuster lever near the bottom. Unhook the adjuster cable from the anchor pin. Remove the adjuster cable guide from the secondary (rear) shoe. Remove the adjuster lever, adjuster lever pivot, and adjuster spring from the shoe assembly. Note the orientation of all components.
7. 7

   Remove shoes and lower return spring
   Disconnect the lower return spring from both shoes using brake spring pliers. Separate both brake shoes from the wheel cylinder by pulling outward at the top. Remove the adjuster screw assembly (star wheel mechanism) connecting the bottoms of the two shoes. Note which direction the star wheel faces; it must be reinstalled in the same orientation. The adjuster screw assemblies are typically handed (left and right side different); confirm side marking and do not mix sides.
8. 8

   Remove parking brake lever from secondary shoe
   The parking brake lever is attached to the secondary (rear) shoe with a horseshoe clip or C-clip. Use needle-nose pliers to remove the retaining clip from the pivot pin. Separate the parking brake lever from the old shoe. This lever will be transferred to the new secondary shoe. Inspect the lever and pivot pin for wear or damage.
9. 9

   Clean and inspect all components
   Clean the adjuster screw assembly thoroughly with brake cleaner and a wire brush. Apply a light coat of high-temperature brake lubricant to the adjuster screw threads and star wheel mechanism. Clean the backing plate shoe contact pads (six raised metal pads where shoes ride) with a wire brush. Apply a thin coat of high-temperature brake lubricant to these pads only—do not get lubricant on the friction surface area. Inspect all springs for rust, stretching, or damage; replace entire hardware kit if any component is questionable.
10. 10

    Install parking brake lever on new secondary shoe
    Identify the new secondary shoe (typically the rear shoe with longer lining or parking brake lever hole). Install the parking brake lever onto the new shoe using the pivot pin and secure with the horseshoe retaining clip. Ensure the clip is fully seated in the pin groove. The lever must pivot freely on the pin.
11. 11

    Assemble shoes with adjuster and lower spring
    Connect the new primary (front) and secondary (rear) shoes at the bottom with the adjuster screw assembly in the same orientation as removed (star wheel typically facing rearward). Install the lower return spring between the two shoes at the bottom. This may require brake spring pliers to stretch the spring into position. Verify the adjuster star wheel can be rotated by hand to expand and contract the shoe assembly.
12. 12

    Install shoe assembly onto backing plate
    Position the assembled shoes onto the backing plate with the parking brake lever engaged with the parking brake strut or link. Spread the tops of the shoes and position them into the wheel cylinder slots. Ensure the bottom of each shoe is properly seated on the anchor pin or backing plate support. Install the hold-down pin through the backing plate and secondary shoe, then install the spring and retainer cap. Press and rotate the cap 90 degrees to lock. Repeat for the primary shoe hold-down assembly.
13. 13

    Install adjuster cable assembly and upper spring
    Install the adjuster cable guide onto the secondary shoe web. Position the adjuster lever and pivot onto the secondary shoe. Attach the adjuster spring between the lever and the shoe. Hook the adjuster cable onto the anchor pin at the top, then route it through the cable guide and attach to the adjuster lever. Install the upper return spring between the tops of both shoes using brake spring pliers. Ensure all components are properly seated and the adjuster lever can move freely to contact the star wheel.
14. 14

    Verify assembly and initial adjustment
    Verify all springs, clips, and hardware are properly installed by comparing to your reference photograph and the opposite side assembly. Ensure the parking brake lever moves freely and the adjuster mechanism functions. Manually turn the adjuster star wheel to expand the shoes until they are nearly at drum diameter. The shoes should form a round assembly when adjusted outward.
15. 15

    Install brake drum and perform final adjustment
    Clean the drum friction surface with brake cleaner. Slide the drum over the brake shoe assembly; it should fit with slight drag. If the drum will not fit, back off the adjuster star wheel. Once the drum is installed, rotate it and adjust the star wheel outward until the shoes drag slightly as the drum turns. Then back off the adjuster approximately 10 notches (or as specified in the Ford shop manual) until the drum rotates freely with no drag. Install any drum retaining clips if originally present. Repeat the entire shoe replacement procedure for the opposite rear wheel.
16. 16

    Reinstall wheels and lower vehicle
    Reinstall both rear wheels and hand-tighten lug nuts in a star pattern. Lower vehicle carefully from jack stands using the floor jack. Once weight is on wheels, torque lug nuts to factory specification (typically 100-140 ft-lbs for F-100; verify in owner's manual for your specific wheel stud size) in a star pattern. Remove jack stands and lower vehicle completely to ground.
17. 17

    Seat brake shoes and test brakes
    Before moving vehicle, pump brake pedal slowly 10-15 times to verify proper pedal feel. Pedal should be firm by the 5th or 6th pump. Check brake fluid reservoir and top off with DOT 3 brake fluid if needed. In a safe area free of traffic, test brakes at low speed (5-10 mph) several times to seat the new shoes against drums. Perform a final test at 20-25 mph to verify even braking with no pull to either side.

Reassembly

1. Shoes must be installed in correct primary/secondary positions with parking brake lever on secondary shoe.
2. All springs, clips, and hardware must be fully seated and secure before drum installation.
3. Adjuster mechanism must function freely; star wheel must rotate to expand/contract shoes.
4. Both rear wheels must have identical new brake shoes installed—never replace only one side.
5. After reassembly, brake pedal must return to firm feel within 5-6 pumps before vehicle is driven.

Verification

• Verify brake pedal is firm after 5-6 pumps with engine off. A spongy or low pedal indicates air in system or improper assembly.
• Test brakes at low speed in safe area; vehicle should stop straight with no pull to either side.
• Verify parking brake holds vehicle on a grade and releases completely with no drag.
• Remove each rear wheel and verify drum turns freely by hand with no scraping or binding.
• After 50-100 miles of driving, re-check brake adjustment through access slot. Shoes may need minor readjustment after initial seating.
• Inspect brake fluid level after test drive; level should remain at full mark with no signs of leakage at wheel cylinders.
• Road test vehicle at increasing speeds up to 45 mph, verifying straight stops with no vibration, pulling, or noise.

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