Parking Brake Shoes

Replace rear parking brake shoes on a 2015 Kia Forte with 1.8L engine. This procedure involves removing the rear brake caliper and rotor to access the drum-style parking brake assembly.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Parking brake shoe set (rear) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Parking brake hardware kit (springs and clips) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Brake cleaner × 1 — Non-chlorinated brake parts cleaner

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid ground. Place wheel chocks in front of front wheels.
2. Release the parking brake lever/pedal fully.
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. Verify parking brake is fully released by checking cable tension at rear calipers.

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove rear brake caliper
   Remove the two caliper mounting bolts (17mm) from the rear of the caliper bracket. Carefully lift the caliper with brake pads off the rotor. Do NOT let caliper hang by the brake hose. Support caliper with wire or bungee cord attached to suspension components.
   Torque spec

   Caliper Bolts84 Nm (62 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Remove brake rotor
   Remove the rotor set screw (if equipped) using a Phillips screwdriver. If rotor is stuck, use gentle tapping with a rubber mallet on the rotor face (avoiding the friction surface). The rotor should slide off to expose the parking brake drum assembly on the inside of the hub.
   ⚠Do not strike the rotor with excessive force as this can damage wheel bearings or hub assembly.
3. 3

   Photograph shoe assembly for reference
   Before disassembly, take clear photos of the parking brake shoe assembly from multiple angles, noting the position of all springs, clips, and the adjuster mechanism. The adjuster star wheel should be visible between the shoes. This reference is critical for correct reassembly.
4. 4

   Remove shoe hold-down springs
   Using the hold-down spring tool, compress and rotate each hold-down spring cup 90 degrees to release it from the hold-down pin. Remove both hold-down springs from the leading and trailing shoes. Keep track of all small parts.
   ⚠️Hold-down springs are under tension. Use the proper tool and keep fingers clear of spring path.
   Torque spec

   Hold-Down Springs8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Disconnect upper return spring
   Using brake spring pliers, carefully remove the upper return spring connecting the tops of both shoes. Note the spring orientation and attachment points. This spring is under high tension.
   ⚠️Return springs are under extreme tension. Use proper brake spring tools and wear eye protection. Keep hands and face clear of spring release path.
6. 6

   Remove adjuster assembly
   Note the position and orientation of the adjuster mechanism (star wheel assembly) between the shoes. The adjuster has a specific left/right orientation. Remove the adjuster spring first, then separate the adjuster assembly from both shoes. Mark which side (left or right) for correct reinstallation.
   Torque spec

   Adjuster Lock5 Nm (4 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Disconnect lower return spring and remove shoes
   Remove the lower return spring connecting the bottoms of the shoes. Disconnect the parking brake cable from the parking brake lever on the trailing shoe by compressing the cable spring and unhooking it. Remove both shoes from the backing plate. Note which shoe is leading and which is trailing.
   ⚠The parking brake lever is typically attached to the trailing (rear) shoe. Do not mix up leading and trailing shoes during reassembly.
8. 8

   Clean and inspect backing plate
   Spray backing plate with brake cleaner and wipe clean with a rag. Inspect the six shoe contact pads on the backing plate for wear or damage. Clean the adjuster mechanism with brake cleaner and inspect for seized threads or damage. Verify the adjuster star wheel rotates freely. Replace if damaged.
   ⚠Use only brake cleaner in a well-ventilated area. Do not use compressed air which can spread brake dust.
9. 9

   Lubricate backing plate contact points
   Apply a thin layer of high-temperature brake grease or anti-seize to the six raised contact pads on the backing plate where the shoes will ride. Do NOT get any lubricant on the shoe friction material or the drum surface inside the rotor.
   ⚠Use only a small amount of lubricant on backing plate pads. Excess grease can contaminate brake shoes and cause parking brake failure.
10. 10

    Install new parking brake shoes
    Transfer the parking brake lever and associated hardware from the old trailing shoe to the new trailing shoe if not included in the kit. Connect the parking brake cable to the lever on the trailing shoe. Position both new shoes on the backing plate. Install the lower return spring first, connecting the bottoms of both shoes. Ensure shoes are seated properly on the backing plate contact pads.
11. 11

    Install adjuster assembly
    Clean adjuster threads and apply a small amount of high-temperature grease to the star wheel threads. Verify correct left/right orientation based on your notes. Position the adjuster between the shoes (typically at the bottom). Install the adjuster spring. Ensure the adjuster operates smoothly and is correctly positioned.
    Torque spec

    Adjuster Lock5 Nm (4 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Install upper return spring and hold-down springs
    Using brake spring pliers, install the upper return spring connecting the tops of both shoes. Ensure spring is fully seated in the shoe holes. Install both hold-down springs by compressing the spring cup with the hold-down spring tool, aligning with the pin, and rotating 90 degrees to lock. Verify all springs are properly seated and hardware is secure.
    ⚠️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)
13. 13

    Adjust parking brake shoes
    Rotate the adjuster star wheel by hand or with a flathead screwdriver to expand the shoes until they contact the drum surface inside the rotor hub. Then back off the adjuster 4-6 clicks until the shoes no longer drag. The drum should rotate freely with minimal resistance. Proper initial adjustment is critical.
    ⚠Shoes must be properly adjusted to allow rotor installation. Over-adjustment will prevent rotor from seating; under-adjustment reduces parking brake effectiveness.
14. 14

    Reinstall brake rotor and caliper
    Clean rotor mating surface on hub with wire brush. Slide rotor onto hub, ensuring it seats fully. Install rotor set screw if equipped (hand tight). Before installing caliper, retract the caliper piston fully using a C-clamp or piston tool (push fluid back into reservoir). Position caliper with pads over rotor and install caliper mounting bolts. Torque caliper bolts to specification in a cross pattern.
    ⚠Brake fluid level in master cylinder will rise when retracting pistons. Check reservoir and remove fluid if necessary to prevent overflow.
    Torque spec

    Caliper Bolts84 Nm (62 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Repeat for opposite side and install wheels
    Repeat the entire procedure for the opposite rear wheel to ensure balanced parking brake performance. Install both rear wheels and hand-tighten lug nuts. Lower vehicle to ground. Torque lug nuts to specification in a star pattern.
    ⚠️Both rear parking brake shoes MUST be replaced together. Replacing only one side creates unbalanced braking and potential vehicle control issues.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Verify brake fluid level in master cylinder reservoir is at MAX line. Top off with DOT 4 brake fluid if needed.
2. Pump brake pedal several times until firm before attempting to move vehicle.
3. Apply and release parking brake several times to allow auto-adjuster to function (if equipped) or to seat shoes properly.
4. Check that parking brake lever/pedal travel is within normal range (typically 5-7 clicks). Adjust parking brake cable if necessary.

Verification

• With engine off, verify brake pedal is firm after pumping 3-5 times. Pedal should not sink slowly to floor.
• Test parking brake on a slight incline: vehicle should hold firmly in both forward and reverse directions with parking brake engaged.
• Perform a low-speed test drive (under 10 mph) to verify normal service brake operation before road use.
• After test drive, check for any unusual noises from rear brakes. A slight scraping during initial use is normal as shoes seat, but should disappear after 20-30 brake applications.
• After 50-100 miles of driving, re-check parking brake adjustment and ensure parking brake still holds vehicle securely on an incline.
• Visually inspect for any fluid leaks around calipers and verify wheel lug nuts are still torqued properly after first 50 miles.

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