How to Adjust the Rear Brakes on a Ford Freestar
The Ford Freestar comes equipped with a rear drum brake system with an automatic self adjuster that is actuated by the parking brake. When the parking brake is applied, a lever in the brake assembly rotates a star wheel type adjuster that helps keep the brake shoes adjusted. If you do not apply the parking brake when you park the vehicle, the rear brakes go out of adjustment as the rear brake shoes wear.
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Instructions
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1
Place wheel chocks in front of the front wheels. Lift the rear of the Freestar using a floor jack, enough so that the rear wheels are off the ground, and support it on jack stands. Remove the jack.
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2
Release the parking brake. Working from under the car, remove the rubber dust plug located towards the bottom of the backing plate of one of the rear wheels.
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3
Insert the brake adjusting tool into the opening left by the plug until it makes contact with the self adjuster wheel. Rotate the self adjuster wheel up, to expand the brake shoes, until the brake shoes make contact with the drum. When the shoes are adjusted properly, you should feel a slight drag on the wheel when you turn the wheel with your hand. Repeat the procedure for the other rear wheel. Reinstall the rubber plugs into the backing plates.
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4
Lower the vehicle to the ground. Apply and release the parking brake a few times, and test drive the vehicle to verify proper adjustment.
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- Photo Credit brake spoon image by Kevin Chesson from Fotolia.com
