How to Change the Rear Brake Drum on a Mercury Mystique

The rear brakes on the 1994 through 2000 Mercury Mystic are drum-and-shoe brakes. The drums are removable to allow access to the shoes or to replace the drums. In some cases, resurfacing the drums is enough, but if the damage or wear is bad, replacement is the only choice. Replacement drums are available from most auto-parts stores or through the Ford or Mercury dealership.

Instructions

1

Loosen the rear lug nuts on your Mercury using a lug wrench or breaker bar and socket. Do not remove the lug nuts from the studs until after the weight is off the tires.

2

Raise the rear of the car with a jack until the tires are off the ground. Position jack stands under the rear suspension to stabilize the vehicle, then lower the jack, allowing the car to sit completely on the stands.

3

Remove the lug nuts from the wheel studs and remove the tires from the car. Set the lug nuts and tires aside for now.

4

Grasp the sides of the brake drum and pull it straight out toward you. Set the old drum aside and slide a new drum on over the rear brake pads and wheel studs.

5

Install the tire on the wheel studs and thread the lug nuts onto the wheel studs. Move to the opposite side of the car and repeat the steps to replace the second brake drum.

6

Raise the rear of the car off the jack stands, remove the jack stands from under the car, then lower the jack, setting the tires on the ground. Tighten the lug nuts with a lug wrench or breaker bar and socket.