Brake Drum - Rear

This procedure covers removal and installation of the rear brake drums on a 2015-2020 Ford F-150 with 5.0L V8 engine and rear-wheel drive configuration.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear brake drum (per side) × 2 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid ground and engage parking brake
2. 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 at manufacturer-specified jacking points
5. Install jack stands under rear axle or frame rails per owner's manual
6. Lower vehicle onto jack stands and verify stability before working
7. Remove rear wheels completely and set aside

Procedure

1. 1

   Release parking brake
   Fully release the parking brake inside the vehicle cabin. The parking brake mechanism is integrated into the rear drums and must be disengaged for drum removal.
2. 2

   Remove retaining clips (if present)
   Some F-150 models have spring clips or push nuts retaining the drum to the wheel studs. If present, remove these clips using pliers or appropriate tool. These clips are typically one-time use and should be replaced during reassembly.
3. 3

   Initial drum removal attempt
   Attempt to pull the drum straight off the hub assembly by hand. The drum should slide off the studs if not seized. If drum does not move freely, proceed to next step.
4. 4

   Address seized drum
   If drum is stuck, apply penetrating oil around the center hub and along the outer edge where drum meets backing plate. Allow 10-15 minutes to penetrate. Tap around the outer circumference of the drum with a rubber mallet, rotating the drum and tapping evenly. Some drums have threaded holes for drum puller bolts - if present, thread M8 bolts into these holes evenly to push drum off hub.
   ⚠Do not strike drum with excessive force or use a steel hammer directly on drum surface as this can crack or deform the drum.
5. 5

   Remove brake drum
   Once freed, pull drum straight off the wheel studs. If resistance is still encountered, the parking brake shoes may be adjusted too tight or stuck. You may need to access the adjustment slot on the backing plate to back off the brake shoe adjustment wheel using a brake adjustment tool.
6. 6

   Inspect hub and mounting surface
   With drum removed, inspect the hub surface for rust, scoring, or damage. Clean the hub mounting surface with a wire brush to remove rust and debris. This ensures proper drum seating and prevents runout issues.
   ⚠Do not disturb brake shoes or internal components unless performing a complete brake service. Contamination or misalignment can cause brake failure.
7. 7

   Prepare new drum
   Remove new brake drum from packaging. New drums typically have a protective oil coating - clean this off with brake cleaner and allow to dry completely. Check that drum interior is clean and free of debris.
8. 8

   Install brake drum
   Apply a thin coat of anti-seize compound to the hub mounting surface (not the drum friction surface). Align the drum over the wheel studs and slide onto hub, ensuring drum seats fully against hub face. Drum should sit flush with no gaps.
9. 9

   Install retaining hardware
   If drum retaining clips were present during disassembly, install new clips onto wheel studs. Hand-press clips until seated. These clips prevent drum from falling off during wheel removal.
10. 10

    Reinstall wheel
    Mount wheel onto studs and hand-thread all lug nuts to prevent cross-threading. Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern initially to draw wheel evenly onto hub. Do not fully torque at this stage.
11. 11

    Lower vehicle and torque wheels
    Raise vehicle slightly off jack stands, remove stands, and carefully lower vehicle to ground. With full vehicle weight on wheels, torque lug nuts to specification in a star pattern (crossing pattern) to ensure even clamping force.
    ⚠️Improperly torqued lug nuts can cause wheel separation while driving. Always use a calibrated torque wrench and follow star pattern sequence.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Repeat for opposite side
    Perform steps 1-11 for the opposite rear wheel to replace both rear drums. Always replace brake drums in axle pairs to maintain balanced braking performance.

Reassembly

1. Ensure both rear drums are properly seated and secured before driving
2. Do not reuse old drum retaining clips - always install new clips if equipped
3. Verify parking brake operates smoothly and releases fully after drum installation

Verification

• Check that both rear wheels are properly torqued to 140 Nm (103 lb-ft) in star pattern
• Spin each rear wheel by hand - should rotate freely with only slight drag from brake shoes
• Pump brake pedal several times - pedal should feel firm and consistent
• Test parking brake engagement and release - should hold vehicle on slight incline and release completely
• Perform low-speed brake test in safe area before returning to normal driving
• Listen for unusual noises during initial brake applications - grinding or scraping indicates improper installation or contamination
• CRITICAL: If brake pedal feels soft, travels too far, or braking performance is degraded, DO NOT DRIVE and have system professionally inspected immediately

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