Drum brakes work by pushing a pair of pads or "shoes" outwards, against the inside of a drum attached to the wheel hub. This creates friction to slow the wheel. The drum brakes on your 2001 Ford Taurus are more complicated than the front disc brakes, but also wear out more slowly. You should inspect the rear brakes in your Taurus every 30,000 miles and replace the shoes if necessary. Replacement pads can be purchased at most auto-parts stores.
Instructions
- 1
Loosen the rear lug nuts and lift the vehicle with a jack. Lower it securely onto a jack stand and remove the wheel and brake drum. The lift point is on the part of the frame rail that curves outwards ahead of the rear tire. Your Taurus owner's manual has a diagram.
2Pry the cover from the center of the hub with a flat-head screwdriver. Remove the nut underneath and slide the hub assembly off the spindle.
3Twist the two pins that retain the hold-down springs 90 degrees to release the springs. Remove the springs and pins. There is a hold down spring in the center of each shoe.
4Pry the shoes apart at the top and pull them outwards, disconnecting them from the cylinder. The parking brake lever attaches to the top of the rear shoe with a pin and C-clip. Pry the clip out and remove the lever. Pull the shoes, adjuster and spring out as a single unit.
5Twist the star-edged nut in the center of the adjuster until the adjuster is as short as possible. Remove the two springs, noting how they attach. Slide the shoes out of the adjuster, leaving it in place on the floor. It is important not to attach either end of it upside down. A lever is attached to the front shoe. Tilt and remove it.
6Install the lever on the front shoe and slide both shoes into the adjuster. Attach the lower spring, then use needle-nose pliers to attach the upper spring. Place the assembly in the brake housing and reattach the parking brake lever. Seat the tops of the shoes on the brake cylinder and install the hold-down clips, ensuring that their pins sit in the grooves. Twist the adjuster star until the shoes are almost to where the drum will sit.
7Install the hub and hub nut, torquing to 188 to 254 ft-lbs. Push the cover into place. Spray down the entire brake assembly with brake cleaner, following the instructions on the can. Install the brake drum and wheel. Hand-tighten the lug nuts and lower the car. Tighten the lug nuts fully. Repeat on the other side.
8Make several low-speed stops in forward and reverse to allow the brakes to self-adjust. Once the brakes feel normal, it is safe to drive on the road.
