How to Change Brake Shoes on a 2000 Ford F-150

Changing brake shoes on any vehicle is not an easy task, and the 2000 model Ford F-150 is no exception. There are multiple springs and levers connected to the pair of brake shoes on each drum assembly, and multiple special tools are needed. Study the entire assembly on each brake drum and make sure you know how each spring and lever is connected before you begin. You might also consult a mechanic.

Instructions

Opening the Assembly

1

Loosen the rear tires' lug nuts with a lug wrench, but do not remove the lug nuts.

2

Raise the F-150's rear end, using a jack, support the rear end on jack stands, and remove the lug nuts and rear wheels.

3

Take off the brake drum. You can normally just pull it off, but if it's stuck, apply penetrating oil to the flange and studs, loosen the drum by tapping around the studs with a hammer, and tapping around the drum's back edge to loosen it.

4

Clean off the brake assembly with brake cleaner and catch the residue with a drain pan.

Removing the Brake Shoes

5

Remove the secondary and primary retracting springs with a spring tool from an auto parts store.

6

Disengage the brake shoe adjusting lever from its cable and remove the lever; then remove the adjusting lever spring, adjuster assembly, adjusting lever cable and anchor pin guide from the anchor pin, the cable guide and the parking brake link and spring.

7

Disconnect the front hold-down spring with its washers, spring and pin using a hold-down spring tool. Separate the adjusting screw spring from the brake shoes and remove the rear hold-down spring. Remove the shoes.

8

Disengage the parking brake lever from the rear shoe by prying off the E-clip retainer with a small screwdriver.

9

Lubricate the contact points on the backing plate with high-temperature grease, using a brush.

Installation

10

Place the washer on the parking brake lever pin and connect the replacement rear shoe by inserting it on the pin, installing the E-clip retainer and installing the hold-down pin and hold-down spring assembly.

11

Install the guide plate onto the anchor pin, followed by the brake shoe adjusting lever cable. Then install the cable guide on the rear shoe.

12

Hook the short end of the secondary retracting spring into the cable guide's hole and rear shoe, then use a hooked tool to hook the spring's long end over the anchor pin.

13

Thread the adjusting lever cable over the cable guide and then insert the parking brake link in position between the backing plate and the front disc, making sure the link is properly engaged with the parking brake lever and rear shoe.

14

Place the front shoe in position and make sure it engages with the parking brake lever link, then install its hold-down pin and spring assembly. Hook the short end of the primary retaining spring into the shoe's top hole and hook the other end over the anchor pin.

15

Reinstall the brake shoe lever by installing its spring with the hooked end facing forward, connecting the lever, hooking the spring's end over the lever and hooking the lower end of the adjusting lever cable over the lever.

16

Connect the lower retracting spring by hooking its short end into the front shoe and the long end into the rear shoe.

17

Engage the adjuster assembly's rear end with the notch in the rear shoe, pull the front shoe slightly forward and engage the adjuster assembly's front end with the notch in the front shoe.

After Installation

18

Install the brake drums after changing the brake shoes on both sides.

19

Pump the brake pedal several times to seat the brakes.

20

Turn the star wheel on each brake assembly by inserting a screwdriver into the hole in the backing plate. Turn the wheel until the shoes drag against the drums, then turn it the other way until they just stop dragging.

21

Put the wheels on the hubs and hand-tighten the lug nuts. Lower the F-150 to the ground and tighten the lug nuts securely with the lug wrench.