How to Adjust the Rear Brake Shoes on a Ford ZX2

If you are like many drivers, you don't use your parking brake on a regular basis. The rear drum brake system, on the Ford Escort ZX2, comes equipped with a self adjuster mechanism that helps keep the brakes adjusted when the parking brake is applied. Over time, the rear brakes will become mis-adjusted, and no amount of parking brake application will correct the problem. So, if you are experiencing the low brake pedal blues, a simple rear brake adjustment may be all that is needed to restore the feel and function of the rear brakes.

Instructions

1

Position the wheel chocks behind the front wheels, and lift the rear wheels using the floor jack. Place jack stands under the rear sub-frame, and lower the ZX2 onto the jack stands. Remove the rear wheels by removing the lug-nuts with the lug-wrench. Place the wheels and lug-nuts out of the work area.

2

Release the parking brake and remove the rear drum. If the drum is difficult to remove because of rust, a few blows with a hammer will break them loose enough to slide off the rear hub. Using a brake adjusting gauge, measure the inside of the rear drum and tighten the thumb screw on the tool. Compare the drum measurement to the outside measurement of the rear shoes by sliding the brake adjusting gauge over the shoes. Move the knurled quadrant adjuster located on the parking brake equalizer bar until the shoe diameter and drum diameter match.

3

Reinstall the drums over the rear shoes, and reinstall the rear wheels. Lift the car off the jack stands and remove the stands from under the car. Slowly lower the floor jack until the car is on the ground. Make the final adjustment by performing several hard stops alternating forward and reverse.