Brake Drums

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2008 Mercury Mariner and 2008 Ford Escape. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

CAUTION: Manual adjustment of the rear brake drum assemblies should only be done when new rear brake shoes are installed, new drums are installed or existing drums are machined. If the rear brake drum assembly is not adjusted correctly, brake drag, grab, lock, overheating and fade may occur.

NOTE: It is generally not required to install new brake drums to address noise issues.

Remove the brake drum. Refer to DRUM BRAKE article.
Inspect the brake drums and measure the brake drum diameter. Record the measurements, refer to SPECIFICATIONS .
- If the brake drum is cracked or otherwise damaged, install new a brake drum. Refer to DRUM BRAKE article.
- If the diameter measurement is more than the maximum specification, install a new brake drum. Refer to DRUM BRAKE article.
- Heavily scored brake drums, similar to that caused by shoes worn down to the backing plate, should be machined. In order to machine, drums must be below the maximum diameter specification. Refer to DRUM BRAKE article.