Wheel Cylinder

This procedure covers the replacement of rear wheel cylinders on a 2015-2020 Ford F-150 with 5.0L V8 engine, including brake fluid bleeding and system verification.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear wheel cylinder × 1 — Use OEM Ford or equivalent quality
• Brake shoe return springs (if damaged) × 1 — Inspect during disassembly
• Brake hardware kit (optional) × 1 — Recommended if original hardware is corroded

Fluids

• Motorcraft DOT 4 LV Brake Fluid — 0.5 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface 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 and secure on jack stands at frame contact points
5. Remove rear wheels completely
6. Locate brake fluid reservoir under hood and remove cap - place clean rag over opening to prevent contamination
7. Have brake fluid catch container and absorbent materials ready

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove brake drum
   Remove the brake drum retaining clips if present. Pull the drum straight off the hub. If drum is stuck due to brake shoe wear creating a lip, you may need to back off the brake shoe adjuster through the access hole in the backing plate using a flat-blade screwdriver. Tap gently with rubber mallet if necessary. Clean the backing plate area with brake cleaner and allow to dry.
2. 2

   Disconnect brake fluid line
   Place a catch pan under the wheel cylinder. Using an 11mm line wrench, carefully loosen and disconnect the brake line fitting from the rear of the wheel cylinder. Immediately plug the line with a rubber cap or wrap in plastic to minimize fluid loss and prevent contamination. Allow residual fluid to drain into catch pan.
   Torque spec

   Line Fittings26 Nm (19 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Remove brake shoe return springs
   Using brake spring pliers or needle-nose pliers, carefully remove the upper and lower brake shoe return springs. Note the position and orientation of each spring for reinstallation. Remove the brake shoe hold-down springs and pins by pressing in and rotating 90 degrees. Keep hardware organized and inspect for wear or damage.
   ⚠Brake return springs are under high tension. Control the spring when releasing to prevent injury or losing small parts.
4. 4

   Remove brake shoes
   Disconnect the parking brake cable from the brake shoe lever. Carefully spread the brake shoes apart at the top and remove them from the backing plate. The shoes can now be moved away to provide clear access to the wheel cylinder mounting bolts. Set shoes aside on a clean surface if reusing.
5. 5

   Remove wheel cylinder
   Using a 10mm wrench or socket, remove the two wheel cylinder mounting bolts from the backing plate. The wheel cylinder will now be free. Remove the wheel cylinder and clean the mounting area on the backing plate with a wire brush and brake cleaner. Inspect the backing plate for damage or excessive rust.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts34 Nm (25 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Install new wheel cylinder
   Position the new wheel cylinder onto the backing plate, aligning the mounting holes. Install the two mounting bolts and tighten to specification. Ensure the wheel cylinder is seated flat against the backing plate and the brake line port is accessible and properly oriented.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts34 Nm (25 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Reconnect brake line
   Remove the plug or covering from the brake line. Thread the brake line fitting into the wheel cylinder by hand first to ensure proper thread engagement and prevent cross-threading. Once hand-tight, use the 11mm line wrench to tighten to specification. Do not overtighten as this can damage the fitting or wheel cylinder body.
   Torque spec

   Line Fittings26 Nm (19 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Reinstall brake shoes and hardware
   Reconnect the parking brake cable to the brake shoe lever. Position the brake shoes onto the backing plate, ensuring they are properly seated in the wheel cylinder pistons at the top and the anchor at the bottom. Install the hold-down pins and springs. Reinstall the upper and lower return springs in their original positions, ensuring proper tension and alignment.
9. 9

   Adjust brake shoes and install drum
   Turn the brake shoe adjuster star wheel to expand the shoes until they drag slightly when rotating the hub by hand. Then back off the adjuster 6-8 clicks until the hub rotates freely with minimal drag. Clean the drum friction surface with brake cleaner and reinstall the drum. The drum should fit over the shoes with slight resistance. Install drum retaining clips if equipped.
10. 10

    Bleed brake system
    Have an assistant pump the brake pedal several times and hold pressure. Open the bleeder screw on the wheel cylinder approximately 1/2 turn using a 10mm wrench. Allow fluid and air to escape into a clear catch tube until flow stops, then close the bleeder screw before the assistant releases the pedal. Repeat this process until clean fluid with no air bubbles flows from the bleeder. Check and refill the brake fluid reservoir frequently during bleeding. Tighten bleeder screw to specification when complete.
    ⚠Never allow the brake pedal to be released while the bleeder screw is open, as this will draw air into the system.
    Torque spec

    Bleeder Screw10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Reinstall wheel and lower vehicle
    Reinstall the rear wheel and hand-tighten all lug nuts in a star pattern. Lower the vehicle until the tire just touches the ground but still supports most weight on jack stands. Torque the lug nuts to specification in a star pattern. Fully lower the vehicle and remove jack stands. Apply final torque to lug nuts in star pattern with vehicle on ground.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Top off brake fluid reservoir to the MAX line with fresh Motorcraft DOT 4 LV brake fluid and reinstall cap securely
2. If both rear wheel cylinders were replaced, bleed the opposite side using the same procedure
3. Pump brake pedal several times to ensure firm pedal feel before moving vehicle

Verification

• Check brake pedal feel - should be firm with no excessive travel or sponginess
• Inspect all connections for brake fluid leaks, particularly at the wheel cylinder line fitting and bleeder screw
• Test parking brake engagement - should hold vehicle on an incline
• Perform a low-speed brake test in a safe area to verify proper braking function before normal driving
• After 50-100 miles, re-check brake fluid level and inspect for leaks
• Verify brake shoes are properly adjusted - rear brakes should engage smoothly without grabbing or excessive pedal travel

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