How to Adjust a Mustang's Rear Brakes

Mustangs equipped with rear drum brakes can benefit from having the rear brakes adjusted periodically. This adjustment will restore brake-pedal height and, in most cases, parking-brake function. Mustangs equipped with rear disc brakes are automatically adjusted when the brake pedal is pushed and no provision is made by the manufacturer to adjust them. No special tools are required and the average Mustang enthusiast can complete the adjustment in an hour using basic hand tools.

Instructions

1

Place the wheel chocks behind and in front of the front wheels. Raise the rear of the Mustang, using the floor jack placed under the rear differential, until the rear wheels are off the ground. Position the jack stands under the rear axle tubes and lower the Mustang onto the stands.

2

Release the parking brake and place the transmission into neutral. It is critical that the Mustang be lifted and supported as described in Step 1 to prevent injury if the vehicle were to slip off the floor jack.

3

Remove the adjustment plug located near the bottom of the backing plate behind the rear wheels. Slide the adjusting tool or screwdriver into the back of the backing plate through the adjustment hole and rotate the self adjuster up while spinning the rear wheel. The rear brake is properly adjusted when there is a slight drag on the brake system when turning the wheel. Reinstall the plug into the backing plate and repeat the process on the remaining rear wheel.

4

Place the transmission in park or first gear. Lower the vehicle to the ground by raising it off the jacks stands, removing the jack stands from under the car, and releasing the floor jack slowly. Apply and release the parking brake a few times and test-drive the car to verify the repair.