Initial Inspection and Diagnostic Overview

Maximum Diameter Location:

Drum Diameter Check
1. Raise vehicle on hoist.
2. Remove wheel and tire assembly from rear wheel hub.
3. Remove retainers and brake drum from wheel hub. Use an industrial vacuum cleaner such as Rotunda Brake/Clutch/Service Vacuum 164-133600 or Rotunda Brake Parts Washer 065-00016 or equivalent, to remove all dust from rear brake backing plate and interior of the brake drums.
4. Inspect the brake drum and if necessary, refinish. Check drum diameter using Rotunda Brake Drum Micrometer 104-00046 or equivalent to determine if brake drum braking surface diameter is within specification. The maximum inside braking surface diameter is shown on each brake drum. If the maximum inside braking surface diameter shown on the brake drum is exceeded either by wear or refinishing, the brake drum must be replaced.

Brake Thickness





1. Inspect rear brake shoes and linings for excessive lining wear contamination or shoe damage. If lining is damaged or worn within 1.0 mm (0.039 inch) of the rivet heads on riveted linings or within 1.0 mm (0.039 inch) of the rivets or backing plate, they must be replaced. Replace any rear brake shoe and lining that has been contaminated with oil, grease or brake fluid. Replace lining in axle sets.
2. Check condition of rear brake shoes and linings, brake shoe retracting spring, brake shoe hold-down springs and brake drum for signs of overheating. If rear brake shoes and linings have a slight blue coloring, indicating overheating, brake shoe retracting spring and brake shoe hold-down springs should be replaced. Overheated springs lose their pull and could cause new rear brake shoe and lining to wear prematurely if they are not replaced. If brake drums are heat-spotted, indicating an overheated condition they should be replaced.
3. Check the brake backing plate for damage. If any damage is found, replace the brake backing plate. If no damage is found, apply a small amount of Disc Brake Caliper Slide Grease D7AZ-19590-A or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESA-M1C172-A to the points where the brake shoes and linings touch the brake backing plate. Be careful not to get the lubricant on the linings.

4. CAUTION: Failure to tighten lug nuts in a star pattern may result in high rotor runout, which will speed up development of brake roughness, shudder and vibration.

Install wheel and tire assembly on vehicle. Tighten lug nuts to 115 - 142 Nm (85 - 104 ft. lbs.) using Rotunda Accutorq Lug Nut Socket 164-RO303 or equivalent, on a 1/2 inch air impact wrench or use a torque wrench.
5. Lower vehicle.