I have a 2004 Explorer 4.0 V6 (AWD). I pulled the rear brakes off to replace the pads and realized that the rotors were shot as well. I pulled the right rear rotor off and the e-brake shoes fell off. Now I plan to replace the rotors, pads, e-brake shoes, and e-brake hardware (springs). I've done disk brakes many times, but haven't done drums. Can anyone give me some step by step instructions on how to replace the e-brake hardware? Better yet, scan or send PDF pages from a repair manual?

Thanks,
Doug

 

I have no diagrams to send you, but I will say that those P/B shoes are a pain in the **** to replace. BTW if you use your parking brake occasionally you can normally avoid this. You almost need double jointed baby fingers to reach around the axel hub to install retaining springs, but with patience and a level head it can be done with no problem, just leave one side together for reference and look at both sides till correct.

 

OK, it wasn't too bad. There's a big spring on top and a smaller one on the bottom. They are both a pain to get on and off because the hub flange is blocking most of the area. I was able to do the job without removing the hub assembly.

The right rotor came off very easily. The pads on the shoes had delaminated and they fell off as the rotor was removed. So that was the easy side. It took about three hours of pounding to get the left rotor off. What a PITA! I ended up prying up one side and turning the hub/rotor with a breaker bar. I turned it inch by inch and it slowly worked it's way off.

I will take your advice and use the parking break once in a while to avoid this problem.

Wonder what my next repair job will be...
Doug

 

Front Hub Bearings, LOL, but they are not nearly the pita as the rear parking brake shoes. Oh yeah on that note all you have to do is hold the parking brake release handle and gently apply parking brake while moving 20-30 mph for about 3-4 seconds and that will keep them in good health. about once a month