Replacing Rear Brakes on a 1995 Mercury Grand Marquis

The rear brakes on the Mercury Grand Marquis use brake shoes that also operate the parking brake. The brake drum assembly uses a number of levers and springs that adjust the position of the shoes as needed. You must always change the brake shoes for both rear wheels together, but work on one assembly at a time so you will always have a complete assembly as a visual reference.

Instructions

Preparation

1

Block the car's front wheels with wheel chocks; then release the parking brake.

2

Raise the car's rear end and support it on jack stands. Remove the rear wheels.

3

Pull off the brake drum for the first brake assembly; if it sticks, remove the plug in the backing plate and turn the star wheel with a screwdriver to back off the shoes. Inspect the drum and replace it if it's scored or worn. It is recommended that you replace the drums or have them turned when replacing the shoes.

4

Spray the entire brake assembly with an aerosol brake cleaner, using a drip pan to catch all residue that drips off the brakes. This will reduce the amount of asbestos dust entering the air.

Removal

5

Remove the two return springs at the top of the assembly with pliers or a spring removal tool. Unhook and remove the adjusting cable eye and the shoe guide from the pin that the springs were connected to.

6

Push in each retaining springs on the brake shoes with the pliers, rotate it 90 degrees and pull it off the pin.

7

Separate the two shoes and remove the star wheel and adjuster spring that connect them on the bottom.

8

Remove the primary (front) brake shoe from the assembly. Remove the adjusting lever from the bottom of the secondary shoe, remove that shoe and pull the parking brake cable off actuating lever with pliers.

9

Pry off the E-clip connecting the lever to its brake shoe and remove the lever.

10

Disassemble the three parts of the adjuster screw assembly, clean the moving parts, lubricate them with high-temperature grease and reassemble the screw. Screw the star wheel all the way in.

11

Removing the anchor pin guide plate and the parking brake strut from the assembly and clean them with the brake cleaner and a rag before reassembling them.

Installation

12

Connect the parking brake lever to its replacement brake shoe using a new E-clip. Remember that the primary shoe is the shorter of the two, and it goes toward the front end of the vehicle.

13

Lightly lubricate all spots on the brake assembly's backing plate that contact other parts using high-temperature grease. Do not get grease on the shoe itself.

14

Connect the brake shoes on the backing plate and slide the parking brake link into position underneath the wheel cylinder at the top of the assembly -- make sure the cylinder and link engage with the shoes.

15

Install the adjusting screw at the bottom of the shoes, making sure the screw's long end points toward the front of the car. Screw the adjuster all the way in to ensure the drum fits back on the assembly.

16

Connect the adjusting lever to the to the secondary shoe and install the shoe guide and adjuster cable to the top pin.

17

Connect the bottom return spring to the adjusting lever and the top return springs to the guide pin.

18

Re-install the drum. Repeat the entire process for the other side.

19

Re-install both wheels. Pump the brake pedal to center the shoes. Insert your screwdriver into the star wheel's hole, and turn the star wheel until the drum drags against the shoes as you turn the wheel by hand, then back the adjuster off until the wheel stops dragging. Repeat for the other side. Lower the car off the jack stands.