Drum Brake Shoes

NOTE: This adjustment is made only after brake lining replacement or if brake applications are insufficient to actuate automatic adjuster.

Fig 1: Adjusting Rear Brake Shoe-to-Drum Clearance

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Remove tire and wheel assembly and brake drum assembly.
On all models except Escort, Tempo and Topaz with 7" brakes, use a measuring tool to determine drum diameter and proper shoe diameter. Hold automatic adjusting lever out of engagement while rotating adjusting screw. Adjust brake shoes to fit gauge. Rotate gauge around shoe to ensure proper fit. Install drum assembly.
On Escort, Tempo and Topaz with 7" brakes, pivot adjuster quadrant until it meshes with knurled pin and is in 3rd or 4th notch of outboard end of quadrant.
On FWD, install drum assembly, outer bearing, keyed washer and hub nut. While rotating hub assembly, tighten wheel bearing nut to 17-25 ft. lbs. (23-34 N.m). Back wheel bearing nut off one half turn. Tighten wheel bearing nut to 26 INCH lbs. (3 N.m).
On all models, complete adjustment by applying brakes several times while backing vehicle, with forward movement after each application. Use a minimum 50 lbs. (22 kg) pressure on non-power brakes and 25 lbs. (11 kg) on power brakes.