The 1997 Ford Contour, equipped with rear drum brakes, has a ratcheting self-adjuster that expands when the parking brake is applied. If you are like many people and don't use the parking brake regularly, the brake system may become maladjusted beyond what the ratcheting system can compensate for. If this occurs, a manual adjustment of the drum brakes will restore proper brake shoe clearance and stopping efficiency.
Instructions
- 1
Raise and support the rear of the car with wheel chocks, a floor jack and jack stands. Remove the rear wheels with a lug wrench and set the wheels aside.
2Slide the brake drums off the shoes. Clean the accumulated brake dust from the shoes with water.
3Adjust the ratchet cam by prying it outwards with a pocket screwdriver to expand the shoes. Adjust the cam until the drum can be slipped onto the shoes with a slight drag between the shoes and drum.
4Reinstall the rear wheels and torque the lug nuts to 80 ft.-lbs. with a torque wrench. Lower the car to the ground and test the function of the brakes. Readjust them if necessary.
