Replace the rear wheel cylinder on a 2011-2014 Ford F-150 3.5L EcoBoost 4WD, including brake fluid bleeding and system verification.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Wheel cylinder assembly × 1 — Use OEM specification or quality aftermarket
• Brake shoe hold-down springs and pins (if damaged) × 1 — Inspect and replace as needed
• Brake drum (if scored or worn beyond specification) × 1 — Measure before ordering

Fluids

• Motorcraft DOT 4 LV Brake Fluid — 1 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and place wheel chocks in front of front wheels
2. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground
3. Raise rear of vehicle and support securely on jack stands rated for vehicle weight
4. Remove rear wheel completely
5. Locate and clean master cylinder reservoir cap, then check fluid level
6. Have assistant available for brake bleeding procedure

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove brake drum
   Remove the brake drum retaining clips if present. Pull the drum straight off the hub assembly. If drum is stuck, spray penetrating oil around the hub contact area and use light tapping with a rubber mallet. If severely seized, thread bolts into the drum puller holes and evenly tighten to press drum off hub.
2. 2

   Remove brake shoes
   Using brake spring pliers, remove the brake shoe return springs from both shoes. Remove the hold-down springs and pins by pressing and rotating 90 degrees. Disconnect the parking brake cable from the parking brake lever. Carefully remove both brake shoes as an assembly, noting the position of adjuster mechanism and springs for reinstallation.
   ⚠Brake dust may contain asbestos in older components. Use brake cleaner spray and avoid creating airborne dust.
3. 3

   Disconnect brake line from wheel cylinder
   Spray penetrating oil on the brake line fitting at the wheel cylinder. Using a proper brake line wrench (flare nut wrench), loosen and remove the brake line from the rear of the wheel cylinder. Immediately plug the line with a rubber cap or bolt to minimize fluid loss. Position a drain pan beneath the area to catch dripping brake fluid.
   ⚠Use only a flare nut wrench to prevent rounding off the soft brass fitting. Do not use standard open-end wrenches.
4. 4

   Remove wheel cylinder mounting bolts
   Locate the two mounting bolts securing the wheel cylinder to the backing plate (accessed from the rear side of the backing plate). Remove both bolts completely and carefully pull the wheel cylinder away from the backing plate. Clean the mounting surface on the backing plate with a wire brush and brake cleaner.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts31 Nm (23 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Install new wheel cylinder
   Position the new wheel cylinder against the backing plate, aligning the mounting holes. Thread in both mounting bolts by hand first to ensure proper thread engagement. Torque mounting bolts to specification in a cross pattern. Ensure wheel cylinder pistons move freely and dust boots are properly seated.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts31 Nm (23 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Reconnect brake line
   Remove the plug from the brake line. Thread the brake line fitting into the new wheel cylinder by hand to ensure proper thread engagement and prevent cross-threading. Once hand-tight, use the brake line wrench to snug the fitting securely, but do not overtighten as this can strip the soft threads or damage the line.
7. 7

   Reinstall brake shoes and hardware
   Clean the brake shoe contact points on the backing plate with brake cleaner. Apply a thin film of high-temperature brake grease to the shoe contact pads on the backing plate. Reinstall the brake shoe assembly with adjuster mechanism in the correct position. Reconnect parking brake cable to lever. Install hold-down pins and springs, then install return springs using brake spring pliers. Verify all components are correctly positioned and springs are fully seated.
8. 8

   Reinstall brake drum
   Clean the hub surface and inside of brake drum with brake cleaner. Slide the brake drum over the shoes and onto the hub. Install retaining clips if equipped. Adjust the brake shoes using the star wheel adjuster until the drum drags slightly when rotated, then back off 8-10 clicks until drum rotates freely with only slight drag.
9. 9

   Bleed brake system at wheel cylinder
   Attach clear tubing to the bleeder screw on the wheel cylinder and submerge the other end in a container partially filled with clean brake fluid. Have assistant pump brake pedal 5-6 times and hold pressure. Open bleeder screw 1/4 to 1/2 turn and allow fluid to flow until pedal reaches floor. Close bleeder screw before assistant releases pedal. Repeat process until fluid flows clear with no air bubbles. Check and top off master cylinder reservoir frequently during bleeding.
   ⚠Always close bleeder screw before assistant releases brake pedal to prevent air from being drawn back into the system.
   Torque spec

   Bleeder Screw10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Complete system bleeding
    Bleed the brake system in the proper sequence: right rear, left rear, right front, left front. After bleeding all wheels, pump brake pedal multiple times to verify firm pedal feel. Top off master cylinder reservoir to MAX line with fresh DOT 4 LV brake fluid and install cap securely.
    ℹ️A soft or spongy pedal after bleeding indicates air remains in the system and bleeding must be repeated.
11. 11

    Reinstall wheel
    Place wheel onto hub and thread all lug nuts by hand to prevent cross-threading. Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern initially to seat the wheel. Lower vehicle until tire just contacts ground to prevent rotation. Torque lug nuts to specification in a star pattern sequence.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Double-check all brake line fittings for tightness and any signs of leakage
2. Verify brake drum rotates freely without excessive drag
3. Ensure master cylinder reservoir is filled to MAX line with correct DOT 4 LV fluid
4. Test parking brake engagement and release multiple times to verify proper function

Verification

• Start engine and pump brake pedal several times - pedal should be firm and not sink to floor
• Inspect all brake line connections for any signs of fluid leakage while assistant applies firm pedal pressure
• Test drive vehicle in a safe area at low speed to verify proper brake function and pedal feel
• Perform several moderate brake applications to seat brake shoes against drum
• Re-check brake fluid level after test drive and top off if necessary
• Verify no brake warning lights are illuminated on instrument cluster
• Perform final lug nut torque verification after 50-100 miles of driving

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