How Do I Change the Back Brakes on a 2000 Ford Taurus?

The braking system in the 2000 Ford Taurus has disc brakes in the front and a drum brake system in the rear. The brakes are operated hydraulically and vacuum-assisted. This system uses a dual master cylinder and diagonally split hydraulic circuits, which means in case of brake failure half the brake system will still operate. The repair is moderate and does not require any specialized tools.

Instructions

1

Secure all tires not being raised by the jack by placing wheel chocks behind them so that your car does not roll.

2

Remove the rear tires with a tire iron and raise the car with a jack and secure it on jack stands.

3

Pull the drum brake straight out. If the drum does not come off manually, use a rubber mallet and hit the drum to loosen it. If this does not work, check the brake shoe adjuster. Take off the inspection hole cover plug from the backing plate. Insert a flat head screwdriver to free up the adjusting lever then use another screwdriver to loosen the adjuster. This will take the pressure off the brake shoe so the drum can be removed. Clean the area with brake cleaner to remove any brake dust.

4

Depress and turn the spring retainers by hand then take off the hold-down springs and pins. Slide out the whole assembly far enough to disconnect the top of the shoes from the wheel cylinder. Tilt the shoes to lift them past the shoe retaining plate.

5

Detach the end of the lower retracting spring from the lead brake shoe. Take the bottom of the brake shoe and spread the brake shoe apart to remove the adjusting screw, the adjusting screw retracting spring and the adjuster lever. Then remove the leading brake shoe.

6

Use diagonal cutting pliers to pull the parking brake cable spring back; this is the longest spring which runs across the bottom of the assembly between the two shoes. Clamp down on the pliers to hold onto the brake cable, being careful not to nick or cut the cable. Unhook the cable end from the parking brake lever on the trailing shoe to remove the shoe and lever assembly.

7

Spread apart the parking brake lever retaining clip with the flat head screwdriver. Then remove the clip and spring washer.

8

Reattach the parking brake lever to the new brake shoe. Insert the pivot pin through the back of the shoe then through the lever. Insert a new spring washer and retaining clip then crimp the clip closed with the pliers.

9

Lubricate the brake shoe contact points on the backing plate with high-temp brake grease. Replace the parking brake cable into the lever hook, install the lower retracting spring between the two shoes then slide the two shoes down onto the shoe retaining plate. Reinstall the trailing shoe hold-down pin, spring and retainer, then insert the adjuster screw assembly into the trailing shoe.

10

Place the adjuster lever onto the parking brake lever pivot pin. Then attach the new leading hold-down pin, spring and retainer. Stretch the adjuster screw retracting spring and hook it into the notch on the adjuster lever.

11

Reinstall the tire back then change out the shoes on the other side, using the same process.