How to Replace Parking Brake Shoe Set 03-11 Ford Crown Victoria

Difficulty: Advanced · About 150 min · Ford Crown Victoria

Replace the parking-brake shoes on a 2003–2011 Ford Crown Victoria, keeping the springs and adjuster in their original positions and setting shoe clearance before verifying parking-brake hold.

Steps

1. Raise the vehicle and remove the wheel

   Loosen the lug nuts and remove the center cap while the car is on the ground. Lift the rear at an approved point, support it on jack stands, and remove the wheel and lug covers.

2. Remove the brake rotor

   Remove the caliper-bracket fasteners and lift the bracket aside without straining the brake hose. Slide the rotor off the hub to expose the parking-brake shoes inside the rotor hat.

3. Remove the old parking-brake shoes

   Note the spring, retainer, and adjuster positions before disassembly. Remove the return springs and retaining clips with suitable pliers, then lift the shoes and adjuster components away from the backing plate.

4. Install the new shoes and hardware

   Clean the backing-plate contact pads and install the new shoes in their original positions. Refit the retainers, springs, and adjuster in the recorded orientation, ensuring each spring seats fully and the shoes move freely.

5. Refit the rotor and set shoe clearance

   Install the rotor and caliper bracket, tightening fasteners to the vehicle specification. Adjust the parking-brake shoes until the rotor turns with slight, even drag, then verify the parking brake holds and releases before installing the wheel.

6. Reinstall the wheel and test the parking brake

   Mount the wheel and hand-start the lug nuts. Lower the car and tighten the lugs to specification in a star pattern, pump the service-brake pedal until firm, and test parking-brake hold on a safe, level surface.

Check your vehicle’s repair manual for exact specifications and fit.