How to Adjust the Rear Brakes on a 1990 Ford Festiva

Rear drum brakes on a 1990 Ford Festiva have automatic adjusters that maintain a minimum gap between the brake shoe linings and the inner drum surface. The adjusters are activated when either of the parking or hydraulic brakes are used. Too much gap would create longer brake pedal travel and delayed stopping. The Festiva's adjuster is not the common set-screw and star wheel design that can be adjusted through the backing plate. To adjust the rear brakes on a 1990 Ford Festiva, the drum must be removed to reset an adjusting plate and quadrant adjusting lever (cam) assembly.

Instructions

1

Park your car on a level surface and shift the transmission to park (automatic) or reverse if it is manual. Engage the parking brake.

2

Place the wheel chocks tight against the front of the front tires.

3

Loosen the wheel lugs on the rear wheels using the lug wrench.

4

Jack up the rear of your car and secure it on jack stands. The lift points on the 1990 Festiva are under the rocker panel, in front of the rear wheels. There are crinkled notches in the flange that fit into the factory-supplied scissor jack, which is low enough for the minimal clearance due to the 12-inch wheels. Consult your owner's manual if you're not sure. If you're using a floor jack, center it under the rear cross member.

5

Remove the rear lugs and wheels and release the parking brake.

6

Pry the grease cap off the end of the driver-side rear axle using the hammer and chisel. You will see an axle nut staked (crimped) into a groove and threaded onto the axle. Tap lightly between the crimp and groove using the chisel and hammer. Use the 21 mm socket and ratchet to remove the axle nut and washer. The driver-side axle has a left-handed thread. Rotate the nut clockwise to loosen.

7

Slide the drum part way off of the axle and then push it back in to force the outer bearing out of the drum. Remove the bearing, then the drum. There are bearings on the inside of the drum. Avoid getting dirt into them.

8

Insert the flat-head screwdriver between the adjuster plate and quadrant adjusting lever. The assembly is below the wheel cylinder. The quadrant adjusting lever (cam) is curved and has teeth along one side where it mates against the adjusting plate. It is attached to the top of the plate and pivots.

9

Pry the screwdriver handle toward the front of the car. The tip of the screwdriver will force the quadrant adjusting lever toward the back and away from the adjusting plate. Use your other hand to push the adjusting plate into its reset position against the backing plate.

10

Slide the drum onto the spindle and hand tighten a new axle lock nut. Spin the wheel toward the front of the car while tightening the nut to 18 to 22 foot-pounds using the torque wrench. Loosen the nut 1/4-turn then hand tighten it until you feel a little bit of drag in the drum's rotation. Stake the nut into the axle groove using the small punch and hammer.

11

Install the wheel and torque the lugs to 65 to 87 foot-pounds. Repeat steps 6 to 11 for the other side. Note that the axle lock nut thread will be right-handed. Rotate counterclockwise to loosen.

12

Lower the car and remove the wheel chocks. Apply the brake pedal several times to reset the adjuster. Drive the car back and forth several times on level ground to test.