How to Replace a Rear Drum on a Ford Focus

Iskandar Blogger 9:16 PM
The rear drum on a Ford Focus is what the brake shoes push against to slow down the car. The brake pad, called a "shoe," sits inside of the "drum." When you press on the brake pedal, hydraulic fluid pushes the shoe against the inside of the drum to slow your car down. Over time, the drum may become worn down, and you may need to replace it.

Instructions

  1. Break the lug nuts loose on the rear wheels with the tire wrench. Loosen, but do not remove the lug nuts. You are only trying to make it easier to loosen the nuts when the car is off the ground at this point.
  2. Put the car in first gear, if your Focus is a standard. If it's not, then it will already be in Park. Put the car's emergency brake on.
  3. Jack up the car. There is a rear jack point located behind the trunk. You will be jacking on the frame.
  4. Place two jack stands, one on each side, under the pinch welds in the rear of the vehicle. You can also place the jack stands underneath the frame of the car in the rear. Lower the car onto the jack stands and check to see that the car is stable.
  5. Remove the lug nuts and wheel.
  6. Remove the four bolts that hold the spindle on. You may need to hit the drum for it to come off due to brake dust, rust and corrosion around the lining of the drum, and you will need to knock it loose. Take your hammer and hit the side of the drum all the way around.
  7. Remove the drum when it becomes loose.
  8. Inspect the brake shoes, springs and boots for wear. Spray all of the parts, including the new brake drum, with brake parts cleaner to remove any contaminants. When everything looks okay, place the new drum over the brake assembly. Install is the reverse of removal.
  9. Put the wheel back on, and tighten the lug nuts partially. Make sure that the wheel sits firm against the brake drum assembly, but do not tighten them all the way. Also, tighten the lug nuts in a crisscross pattern. For example, tighten one nut, then tighten the nut opposite of it.
  10. Lower the car back to the ground. Torque the lug nuts to 100 foot-lb. using the same crisscross pattern you used before.