How to Replace the Rear Brakes on a 2000 Focus

The 2000 Ford Focus uses a specially designed brake drum on the rear brakes, with the drum bolted in place over the brake assembly. The brake shoes used on the rear brakes are built for this type of brake drum, so make sure you have the correct type when replacing the shoes. The brake shoes are similar to others, however, in that they are held in place with multiple springs and levers, making disassembly and replacement a complex process.

Instructions

Block the car's front wheels with heavy blocks or wheel chocks, raise the car's rear end with the floor jack, support it onto jack stands and remove the rear wheels. If the car uses anti-lock brakes, disconnect the ABS wiring connector from the brake assembly.

Unscrew and remove the brake drum and hub assembly with a wrench; the four bolts are located at the rear of the assembly.

Clean the brake assembly behind the drum with an aerosol brake cleaner. Place a tray or drip pan under the assembly and wait for the assembly to dry.

Depress the ends of the shoes' hold-down springs with pliers and withdraw them from the pins.

Disconnect the top ends of the brake shoes from the wheel cylinder and pull their bottom ends off the bottom anchor. Wrap an elastic band over the wheel cylinder pistons to keep them from ejecting.

Disengage the parking brake cable spring away from the operating lever on the rear shoe using pliers, then unhook the cable from the lever to completely remove the brake shoes.

Push the shoes' bottom ends together and unhook the lower return spring from them, taking note of the holes the spring is in. Pull the front shoe away from the strut and the brake shoe adjuster and unhook the upper spring.

Pull the adjustment strut off the rear brake shoe, then remove the strut's support spring.

Apply a small amount of high-temperature brake grease to the points on the cylinder backing plate where the brake shoes come in contact.

Hook the support spring onto the replacement rear brake shoe and connect the adjustment strut to the shoe. Hook both the lower and upper return springs to both of the brake shoes to connect the shoes together.

Connect the parking brake cable spring on the backing plate to the operating lever on the rear brake shoe--you may need the pliers again. Place the bottom end of the shoe assembly on the backing plate's bottom anchor, remove the elastic band connect the top ends to the upper cylinder.

Fasten the hold-down springs to the brake shoes, using the pliers to press the springs' ends onto the pins.

Reinstall the brake drum and apply the bolts in the rear. Reconnect the ABS wiring connector if equipped.

Reconnect the wheels on both sides of the car and lower it off the jack stands after changing the brakes for both wheels.