This procedure covers removal and installation of rear brake drums on a 2011-2014 Ford F-150 3.5L EcoBoost 4WD equipped with drum rear brakes.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear brake drum (if replacing) × 2 — Use OEM specification or quality aftermarket

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid ground and engage parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks in front of both front wheels
3. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while vehicle is on ground
4. Raise rear of vehicle with floor jack at manufacturer-approved lift point
5. Support vehicle securely on jack stands rated for vehicle weight
6. Remove rear wheels completely and set aside

Procedure

1. 1

   Release parking brake
   Fully release the parking brake from inside the vehicle. The parking brake actuates the rear brake shoes and will prevent drum removal if engaged.
2. 2

   Remove brake drum retaining clips (if present)
   Some F-150 drums have small spring clips or push nuts that retain the drum during assembly. If present, remove these clips with pliers or a flat screwdriver. These clips are not reused and do not need to be reinstalled.
3. 3

   Remove brake drum
   Pull the brake drum straight off the hub. If the drum is stuck due to rust or brake shoe contact, tap around the outer edge with a rubber mallet while applying outward pressure. If drum still will not release, the brake shoes may need to be retracted using the adjuster access hole on the backing plate.
   ⚠If excessive force is required, stop and verify parking brake is fully released. Do not strike the drum with excessive force as this can damage wheel bearings or hub.
4. 4

   Free stuck drum (if necessary)
   If drum is stuck due to brake shoe adjustment, locate the adjuster access hole in the backing plate (typically near bottom of assembly). Insert a brake adjuster tool or small screwdriver through the hole and push the adjuster lever away from the star wheel, then use another tool to rotate the star wheel to retract the brake shoes. Apply penetrating oil to drum-to-hub interface if rusted.
5. 5

   Inspect drum and brake components
   With drum removed, inspect the drum friction surface for excessive wear, scoring, cracks, or heat damage. Inspect brake shoes, return springs, and hardware for wear or damage. Measure drum inside diameter if equipment is available; maximum diameter is typically stamped on drum outer surface.
   ⚠Avoid breathing brake dust. Use brake cleaner to clean components, not compressed air.
6. 6

   Clean drum and hub surface
   Clean the drum inner friction surface with brake cleaner if reusing the drum. Use a wire brush to clean rust and debris from the hub mounting surface where the drum seats. Clean the inner pilot diameter of the drum that fits over the hub.
7. 7

   Install brake drum
   Align the drum over the hub and brake shoes. The drum should slide on easily if brake shoes are properly adjusted. Push the drum fully onto the hub, ensuring it seats flat against the hub mounting surface. Do not force the drum; if resistance is felt, check that brake shoes are not over-adjusted.
8. 8

   Verify drum installation
   Verify the drum is fully seated by checking that it sits flush with no gaps at the hub surface. Rotate the drum by hand to ensure it spins freely without binding. Some light drag from brake shoe contact is normal.
9. 9

   Install wheel and torque lug nuts
   Place the wheel onto the hub and thread all lug nuts by hand. Using a star pattern, tighten lug nuts in multiple passes with a torque wrench to the specified torque value. Do not fully torque lug nuts while vehicle is raised; perform final torque with vehicle on ground.
   Torque spec

   Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Repeat for opposite side
    Repeat steps 1-9 for the opposite rear wheel brake drum. It is critical that both rear drums are serviced to maintain balanced braking performance.
11. 11

    Lower vehicle and perform final torque
    Remove jack stands and carefully lower the vehicle to the ground. With full vehicle weight on the wheels, perform final torque of wheel lug nuts in a star pattern to specification.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Brake drums do not require any specific reassembly as they are single-piece components
2. Ensure brake shoe adjustment is correct before final drum installation to allow proper drum fit
3. Do not reuse drum retaining clips if they were removed during disassembly; these are optional assembly-only fasteners

Verification

• Start the engine and pump the brake pedal several times to verify firm pedal feel
• Test drive the vehicle in a safe area at low speed and verify proper brake operation with no pulling, noise, or vibration
• Verify parking brake holds the vehicle on an incline
• After 50-100 miles, re-torque wheel lug nuts to specification
• Listen for any abnormal brake noise during initial driving that might indicate drum contact issues

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