A female driver friend of mine recently drove about 3 miles with her parking brake on. She said she smelled an awful smell and then her parking brake won't work. It's painfully obvious what all of this is but here is my question. Is the 2002 Ford Explorer V6 parking brake attached to the same brake shoes as the regular brake shoes? Or, are there separate brake shoes for each braking system. I'm going to repair it for her but haven't worked much on Fords. Any advice/tips/tricks and input on this?

Thanks,
Mike

 

They are attached to the same. She probably severely glazed the pads and rotors. Maybe to the point of have to replace both. Sometimes you can sand the pads lightly to cut the glaze. The rotors might be able to be resurfaced. I'd go to a reputable brake facility and have them check it out.

 

Well, I drove it and didn't see any real change in braking. I put the parking brake on and backed up because I heard that could readjust them. The parking brake did start to work and held the exporer in place on a small hill...but its not as strong as what it could be. I'll have to look at it closer and see if she needs new shoes, drums, etc.