Drum Brake Shoes - Rear

This procedure covers the removal and replacement of rear drum brake shoes on a 2015-2020 Ford F-150 with 3.5L EcoBoost engine, including adjustment and inspection of related hardware.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear brake shoe set (left and right) × 1 — Use OEM Ford specification or equivalent
• Brake hardware kit (springs, clips, adjusters) × 1 — Use OEM Ford specification
• Wheel cylinder (if leaking) × 2 — Inspect before starting
• Brake drum (if scored beyond specification) × 2 — Measure before ordering

Fluids

• Motorcraft DOT 4 LV Brake Fluid — 0.25 qt

Preparation

1. Verify this vehicle is equipped with rear drum brakes (not all F-150 configurations use drums). Parking brake models typically use drums inside rear disc rotors; this procedure is for full drum brake systems.
2. Park vehicle on level, solid ground and place wheel chocks in front of front wheels.
3. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while vehicle is on ground.
4. Raise rear of vehicle with floor jack and support securely on jack stands rated for vehicle weight (consult owner's manual for jacking points).
5. Remove rear wheels completely.
6. Spray penetrating oil on drum retaining screws/clips if present and allow to soak 10-15 minutes.

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove brake drum
   Remove any drum retaining screws or clips if present. Pull drum straight off the hub assembly. If drum is stuck due to rust or shoe contact: locate adjuster access hole on backing plate, insert brake spoon or screwdriver, and rotate adjuster star wheel to retract brake shoes. If still seized, use a drum puller or tap gently around the drum edge with a rubber mallet. Do not strike the drum face directly.
2. 2

   Inspect and document assembly
   Before disassembly, take photos of the brake assembly for reference. Inspect wheel cylinder for fluid leaks (wetness around dust boots). Check drum interior surface for scoring, cracks, or excessive wear. Measure drum diameter if possible; replace if beyond service limit (typically 11.03 inches maximum). Check backing plate for damage or excessive rust.
   ⚠If wheel cylinder is leaking, it must be replaced. Prepare to bleed the brake system after replacement.
3. 3

   Remove brake shoe hold-down springs and pins
   Using hold-down spring tool, compress each hold-down spring (typically two per side) while rotating the retaining washer 90 degrees to align with the pin slot. Release spring tension and remove spring, washer, and pin. Set aside in organized manner. Repeat for both shoes.
   ⚠Hold-down springs are under tension. Use proper tool and maintain control to prevent springs from flying loose.
4. 4

   Disconnect and remove brake shoe return springs
   Using brake spring pliers, remove the upper and lower return springs connecting the two brake shoes. Note the position and orientation of each spring. The upper spring is typically stronger. Remove adjuster lever spring if equipped. Keep springs separated by position for reference.
   ⚠Return springs are under high tension. Pull springs away from your body and face. Wear safety glasses.
5. 5

   Remove parking brake cable and adjuster mechanism
   Disconnect parking brake cable from parking brake lever on rear shoe. This typically requires spreading the cable end or lifting it from the lever slot. Remove adjuster screw assembly (star wheel and socket) by pulling shoes apart slightly. Note the left and right adjusters are different and not interchangeable. Mark them for correct side reinstallation.
6. 6

   Remove brake shoes
   Remove leading (front) and trailing (rear) brake shoes from backing plate. The parking brake lever remains attached to the trailing shoe. If replacing the lever, remove the horseshoe clip or retaining clip securing it and transfer to new shoe in exact same orientation.
7. 7

   Clean and inspect backing plate
   Use HEPA-filtered vacuum to remove all brake dust from backing plate and surrounding area. Wipe backing plate with brake cleaner and clean rag. Do NOT use compressed air. Inspect backing plate for cracks, damage, or wear at the six shoe contact pads. Wire brush any rust from contact pads. Verify wheel cylinder is not leaking and dust boots are intact.
8. 8

   Prepare and lubricate new brake shoes
   Verify new brake shoes match old shoes exactly in size and configuration. Apply a thin layer of high-temperature brake lubricant to the six raised contact pads on the backing plate where shoes will rest (do NOT apply lubricant to shoe friction material). Lubricate adjuster screw threads lightly. Verify adjuster screws move freely and are fully retracted.
9. 9

   Install new brake shoes
   Install parking brake lever on trailing shoe if removed, ensuring horseshoe clip is properly seated. Position trailing shoe (with parking brake lever) on backing plate. Connect parking brake cable to lever. Position leading shoe on backing plate. Install adjuster mechanism between shoes with star wheel positioned for access through adjuster hole. Verify adjuster is on correct side (left vs right).
10. 10

    Install return springs and hold-down hardware
    Install lower return spring between shoes using brake spring pliers. Install upper return spring (typically stronger spring). Install adjuster lever and spring if equipped. Install hold-down pins through backing plate, place shoes over pins, install washers and springs. Using hold-down spring tool, compress each spring and rotate washer 90 degrees to lock onto pin. Verify all springs are properly seated and shoes move freely.
11. 11

    Pre-adjust brake shoes
    Measure the inside diameter of the brake drum with calipers if available. Adjust the star wheel adjuster so the brake shoe diameter is approximately 0.050 inches (1.27mm) less than the drum inside diameter. If drum diameter is unknown, turn adjuster until shoes are near maximum expansion, then back off 10 clicks. Shoes should drag very slightly when drum is installed.
12. 12

    Install brake drum and perform final adjustment
    Clean drum interior surface with brake cleaner. Install drum over shoes, tapping gently with rubber mallet if needed. Install drum retaining clips or screws if equipped. Rotate drum to ensure it turns freely with only slight drag. If drum is too tight, back off adjuster through access hole. If too loose, advance adjuster until slight drag is felt, then back off 3-4 clicks for proper running clearance.
13. 13

    Repeat for opposite side
    Repeat steps 1-12 for the opposite rear wheel. Use the first completed side as a reference if needed. Ensure both sides are adjusted equally for balanced braking. Both drums should rotate with similar drag resistance.
14. 14

    Install wheels and lower vehicle
    Install rear wheels onto hubs. Hand-tighten lug nuts in star pattern. Lower vehicle until wheels just touch ground but vehicle weight is still on jack stands. Torque lug nuts to specification in star pattern. Fully lower vehicle and remove jack stands. Verify lug nuts are properly torqued.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts203 Nm (150 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Brake system bleeding and pedal adjustment
    If wheel cylinders were replaced or brake system was opened, bleed rear brakes using proper bleeding procedure. Top off brake fluid reservoir with Motorcraft DOT 4 LV brake fluid to MAX line. Pump brake pedal 15-20 times to seat brake shoes and establish pedal. Check brake fluid level and add if needed. Pedal should be firm after pumping.

Reassembly

1. Ensure both rear drums are adjusted equally for balanced braking performance.
2. Verify brake fluid level is between MIN and MAX marks on reservoir.
3. Test parking brake operation - it should hold vehicle on a slight incline with 5-8 clicks of travel.
4. If parking brake travel is excessive, adjust parking brake cable at equalizer under vehicle.
5. Double-check all lug nuts are torqued to 203 Nm (150 lb-ft) in star pattern.

Verification

• Before driving, pump brake pedal firmly 15-20 times. Pedal should feel firm and not sink to floor.
• Check for brake fluid leaks around wheel cylinders and brake lines.
• Perform low-speed test drive in a safe area. Test brakes at 5-10 mph to verify proper operation.
• Brakes may require 200-300 miles of break-in period for full effectiveness. Avoid hard braking during break-in.
• Listen for unusual noises (grinding, squealing beyond normal new brake noise).
• Vehicle should brake in a straight line without pulling to either side.
• After 50-100 miles, re-check brake adjustment. Drums may require slight readjustment as shoes seat.
• If brake pedal is soft, system requires bleeding. If pedal sinks slowly, there may be a leak or wheel cylinder failure - do not drive vehicle.

Related trouble codes on this vehicle

Codes that commonly send this job to the bay — tap one for symptoms, causes, and diagnostic steps.

Chasing one of these codes and not sure which part is guilty? Ask a master mechanic about YOUR car →

More procedures for this vehicle