How to Change Rear Brakes on a Ford

Changing the rear brakes on a Ford vehicle depends a lot on the exact model. Some, like the Mustang, use calipers and brakes exclusively, just like the front brakes, while others have drum brakes with shoes that work with the parking brake. It is recommended to check an automotive guide for your specific year and model.

Instructions

Apply the parking brake, raise the rear end of the car on jack stands and remove the wheels, loosening the lug nuts before raising the car.

Push the caliper piston back into its bore using a C-clamp. Siphon out some fluid from the master cylinder reservoir first to prevent the fluid from overflowing.

Disconnect the caliper from the disc by removing its mounting bolts. On the front brakes, you may just need to remove the lower bolt and swing the caliper upward. If you disconnect the whole caliper, hang it somewhere with a strong wire and make sure the brake hose doesn't stretch.

Remove the inner and outer pads from the caliper mounting bracket. Remove the V-springs and stainless steel slippers if they are used to hold the pads in place.

Apply an anti-squeal compound to the backs of the new brake pads. Install the pads into the bracket, using new slippers and V-springs if needed. Place the caliper back into position while holding the pads in place, then install and tighten the bolts.

Connect the wheels and lower the car once both sets of brake pads have been changed.

Park the vehicle on a level surface, then block the wheels and release the parking brake. While an assistant pulls on the parking brake cable, lock the brake drum assembly into position by inserting 5/32-inch drill bit into the control actuator. Raise the rear end on jack stands and remove the wheels.

Remove the brake calipers as described above, then remove the brake discs by clipping off the retaining washers with metal-cutting tools and slipping the disc of the studs. The washers won't need to be replaced.

Remove the hold-down clips for the brake shoes assembly with a flathead screwdriver, starting with the front clip and then the back, then remove the shoe adjuster and the lower return spring from the bottom of the assembly. Grab the shoes and spread them away from the rotor and lift them off the assembly. Remove the upper return spring from the old shoes.

Lubricate the assembly's backing plate with high-temperature grease. Connect the new brake shoes with the upper return spring, spread the lower ends apart and install the shoes on the assembly. Install the front and rear hold-down clips, followed by the lower return spring and adjuster. Make sure the adjuster's star wheel points toward the vehicle's front.

Reinstall the brake discs and calipers once the shoes have been changed on both sides. Turn the adjusting screw star wheel with a screwdriver (you'll need to remove the rubber plug from the backing plate) until the brake shoes rub against the disc, then turn it back until enough so they don't drag.

Reconnect the wheels and lower the vehicle.