How do I repair drum brakes on a 1995 Ford Escort?
The 1995 Ford Escort was manufactured with either all drum brakes or rear drum brakes and optional front wheel disc brakes. Over the years drum brakes will need new shoes and possibly a new drum. Constant friction leads to shoe wear and possible drum thinning. Fortunately, repairing Ford drum brakes is not that much more complicated than changing the oil and filters–it just takes a little more muscle. The tools you’ll need are a screwdriver, socket wrench set and a sturdy jack stand to hold the Escort.Why Drum Brakes Need RepairIn a drum brake two shoes (large curved pads) press against the drum that spins with the wheel and axle. The constant pressing of the shoes against the drum will cause the shoes to wear and get thinner. Eventually, the brakes can’t press the thin pads hard enough against the drum to get good braking action. If the shoe fails or thins all the way to its metal bracket, the metal-on-metal contact of the bracket to the drum surface can damage the drum. When repairi
