Parking Brake Shoes

Replace the rear parking brake shoes on a 2021-2024 Ford F-150 with 3.5L EcoBoost engine. This procedure involves removing the rear brake rotors and servicing the drum-in-hat style parking brake assembly.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Parking brake shoe set (rear) × 1 — Use OEM Ford specification
• Brake hardware spring kit × 1 — Use OEM Ford specification
• Brake lubricant (high-temperature) × 1 — Use brake-specific lubricant
• Thread locker (medium strength) × 1 — Loctite 243 or equivalent

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid ground and place wheel chocks in front of both front wheels
2. Ensure parking brake is fully released
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 at manufacturer-specified jacking points
5. Remove both rear wheels completely
6. Spray penetrating oil on caliper bolts and rotor set screws if present (allow 10 minutes to penetrate)

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove brake caliper
   Use a C-clamp to compress the brake caliper piston fully into its bore. Remove the two caliper bolts using an 18mm socket. Lift the caliper off the rotor and secure it to the suspension using a wire or bungee cord. Do NOT let the caliper hang by the brake hose as this can damage the hose.
2. 2

   Remove brake caliper bracket
   Remove the two caliper bracket bolts using the appropriate socket. Remove the bracket completely to access the rotor. Keep all hardware organized for reinstallation.
   Torque spec

   Bracket Bolts117 Nm (86 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Remove brake rotor
   Remove any rotor retaining screws if present. If the rotor is stuck, thread two M8 bolts into the threaded holes on the rotor face to push it off the hub, or tap gently with a rubber mallet from behind. The rotor must be completely removed to access the drum-style parking brake shoes behind it.
   ⚠The parking brake shoes may be preventing rotor removal. If rotor will not come off, you may need to back off the parking brake adjuster through the access hole in the rotor hat.
4. 4

   Access and back off parking brake adjuster
   Locate the adjuster access hole in the parking brake drum (inside the rotor hat). Insert a brake adjusting spoon or flat screwdriver and rotate the adjuster star wheel to retract the shoes away from the drum surface. This provides clearance for shoe removal. Note the current adjustment position for reference during reassembly.
   ℹ️The adjuster may be very tight. Ensure you are rotating it in the correct direction to retract the shoes (typically moving the top of the star wheel toward the rear of the vehicle).
5. 5

   Remove parking brake shoe hold-down springs
   Using the hold-down spring tool, compress and rotate each hold-down spring assembly 90 degrees to release it from the backing plate pins. Remove both the primary (front) and secondary (rear) shoe hold-down springs and retainers. Keep these parts organized as they must be reinstalled in the same positions.
   ⚠Hold-down springs are under tension. Keep hands and face clear of spring path when releasing.
6. 6

   Disconnect upper return spring
   Using the brake spring removal tool, carefully disconnect the upper return spring that connects the tops of both shoes. Note the spring orientation and attachment points for reinstallation. This spring is under significant tension.
7. 7

   Remove adjuster assembly and lower spring
   Disconnect the adjuster lever spring from the secondary shoe. Remove the adjuster screw assembly and lower return spring connecting the bottoms of both shoes. Note the orientation of the adjuster assembly (it is side-specific and must be reinstalled correctly). Clean the adjuster threads with wire brush.
   ℹ️Take photos before disassembly to reference correct spring and component positioning during reassembly.
8. 8

   Remove parking brake cable from lever
   Disconnect the parking brake cable from the lever on the secondary (rear) shoe. This typically requires compressing a spring and unhooking the cable end from the lever. Note the cable routing and lever position.
   ⚠The parking brake cable may be under slight tension from the cable return spring. Control the cable when disconnecting.
9. 9

   Remove old parking brake shoes
   Remove both parking brake shoes from the backing plate. Inspect the backing plate for damage, rust, or wear. Clean the backing plate thoroughly with brake cleaner and a wire brush. Remove all old brake dust using only wet cleaning methods.
   ⚠Do not use compressed air to clean brake components. Brake dust may contain harmful materials.
10. 10

    Prepare backing plate and new shoes
    Apply a thin layer of high-temperature brake lubricant to the six shoe contact pads on the backing plate (where the shoe webs rest). Also lubricate the adjuster screw threads and socket end. Do NOT get lubricant on the brake shoe friction material or drum surface. Compare new shoes to old shoes to verify correct parts.
    ⚠Use only brake-specific high-temperature lubricant. Never use standard grease on brake components.
11. 11

    Install new parking brake shoes
    Install the new parking brake shoes onto the backing plate. Connect the parking brake cable to the lever on the secondary shoe. Position both shoes on the backing plate, ensuring the adjuster end (bottom) and anchor end (top) are properly seated. The shoe with the parking brake lever attached is the secondary (rear) shoe.
12. 12

    Install adjuster assembly and lower spring
    Install the adjuster screw assembly between the bottoms of both shoes with the star wheel accessible through the adjustment hole. Ensure the adjuster is oriented correctly (threaded end toward secondary shoe on most designs). Install the lower return spring connecting the bottoms of both shoes. Connect the adjuster lever spring to the secondary shoe.
    Torque spec

    Adjuster Lock5 Nm (4 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Install upper return spring and hold-down springs
    Using the brake spring tool, install the upper return spring connecting the tops of both shoes. Install both hold-down spring assemblies by compressing and rotating 90 degrees onto the backing plate pins. Verify all springs are properly seated and shoes move freely.
    ⚠Verify all springs are correctly installed and fully seated. Improperly installed springs can cause parking brake failure.
    Torque spec

    Hold-Down Springs8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Adjust parking brake shoes
    Rotate the adjuster star wheel to expand the shoes until they contact the drum surface with slight drag. Then back off the adjuster 8-10 clicks so the drum rotates freely with minimal drag. The shoes should be close to the drum but not dragging when the parking brake is released.
    ℹ️Proper adjustment is critical. Too tight causes drag and premature wear; too loose reduces parking brake effectiveness.
15. 15

    Reinstall rotor and caliper assembly
    Clean the hub face and rotor mounting surface with wire brush. Install the brake rotor and any retaining screws. Install the caliper bracket and torque bracket bolts to specification in a crisscross pattern. Apply thread locker to caliper bolts, position the caliper over the rotor, and torque caliper bolts to specification.
    Torque spec

    Bracket Bolts117 Nm (86 lb-ft)

    Caliper Bolts102 Nm (75 lb-ft)
16. 16

    Reinstall wheels and lower vehicle
    Install the rear wheels and hand-tighten lug nuts in a star pattern. Lower the vehicle until the tires just touch the ground. Torque the lug nuts to specification in a star pattern. Fully lower the vehicle and remove jack stands.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Repeat all steps for the opposite side if servicing both rear parking brakes
2. Ensure all tools and parts have been removed from the work area
3. Do not drive the vehicle until parking brake function has been verified

Verification

• Pump the brake pedal several times to restore proper pedal feel before moving the vehicle
• With the vehicle still on level ground and transmission in Park, apply the parking brake firmly and verify it holds the vehicle
• Release the parking brake and verify the brake warning light on the dash goes off
• Test drive the vehicle at low speed in a safe area and verify normal brake operation with no unusual noises or vibrations
• Apply the parking brake while stationary and verify it holds the vehicle securely on a slight incline
• Verify no brake drag is present by confirming wheels rotate freely when parking brake is released and vehicle is in neutral
• After 50-100 miles of driving, re-verify parking brake adjustment and adjust if necessary as shoes may have seated

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