I just replaced the rear shoes on my 2007 focus. Holy @*%& what a stupid set up for adjusters and spring design. I have never seen such a ridiculous design for the adjuster. A flat plate with a cam and a small spring that would fit in the average wrist watch. The adjusters on both sides look like they had been seized for a few months. There was plenty of shoe left but the brakes would not work do to the adjusters being seized. I put both sides of springs and adjusters in separate small plastic bowls and poured muratic acid on them. Yes I used all precautions, but muratic acid not as dangerous as it sounds. It's the same acid used in PH balancing some swimming pools. Anyhow, after about half hour, I took all parts out with pliers and put them in a large bucket of water to clean acid off. I then procceded to blow the parts off with compressed air till dry. At this point you will see how easy the parts move and how stupid the design is. Don't put the small spring in the acid as it may get lost in the cleaning proccess. I discovered that reinstalling was just as bad as having a rectal exam. Holy crap what a job putting everything back together. I have done dozens of brake jobs, and I have never fought so much with springs in my life. Make sure you don't put the tiny cam spring on until your all done. It keeps the adjuster from expanding out while trying to get the short inch and a half spring on. This spring will test your temper, knuckles and lower back to the max. BE PREPARED TO FIGHT WITH THIS #&&& SPRING. but once that spring is on, the rest is gravy. Don't forget at this time to put the tiny spring back on the adjuster cam. Make sure you clean the spindle before re-installing the drums as it will have crap all over it. Watch the small seal as well. I have no idea why FORD would design such a stupid adjuster device, but then again, the normal style with the little sprockets seize as well or just rot away. But at least those ones are easy to change.
+
I just replaced the rear shoes on my 2007 focus. Holy @*%& what a stupid set up for adjusters and spring design. I have never seen such a ridiculous design for the adjuster. A flat plate with a cam and a small spring that would fit in the average wrist watch. The adjusters on both sides look like they had been seized for a few months. There was plenty of shoe left but the brakes would not work do to the adjusters being seized. I put both sides of springs and adjusters in separate small plastic bowls and poured muratic acid on them. Yes I used all precautions, but muratic acid not as dangerous as it sounds. It's the same acid used in PH balancing some swimming pools. Anyhow, after about half hour, I took all parts out with pliers and put them in a large bucket of water to clean acid off. I then procceded to blow the parts off with compressed air till dry. At this point you will see how easy the parts move and how stupid the design is. Don't put the small spring in the acid as it may get lost in the cleaning proccess. I discovered that reinstalling was just as bad as having a rectal exam. Holy crap what a job putting everything back together. I have done dozens of brake jobs, and I have never fought so much with springs in my life. Make sure you don't put the tiny cam spring on until your all done. It keeps the adjuster from expanding out while trying to get the short inch and a half spring on. This spring will test your temper, knuckles and lower back to the max. BE PREPARED TO FIGHT WITH THIS #&&& SPRING. but once that spring is on, the rest is gravy. Don't forget at this time to put the tiny spring back on the adjuster cam. Make sure you clean the spindle before re-installing the drums as it will have crap all over it. Watch the small seal as well. I have no idea why FORD would design such a stupid adjuster device, but then again, the normal style with the little sprockets seize as well or just rot away. But at least those ones are easy to change. That one spring took as long to put on as it would normally take to dismantle and re-install shoes and springs on most other vehicles. Trust me, it is a pain!
I just replaced the rear shoes on my 2007 focus. Holy @*%& what a stupid set up for adjusters and spring design. I have never seen such a ridiculous design for the adjuster. A flat plate with a cam and a small spring that would fit in the average wrist watch. The adjusters on both sides look like they had been seized for a few months. There was plenty of shoe left but the brakes would not work do to the adjusters being seized. I put both sides of springs and adjusters in separate small plastic bowls and poured muratic acid on them. Yes I used all precautions, but muratic acid not as dangerous as it sounds. It's the same acid used in PH balancing some swimming pools. Anyhow, after about half hour, I took all parts out with pliers and put them in a large bucket of water to clean acid off. I then procceded to blow the parts off with compressed air till dry. At this point you will see how easy the parts move and how stupid the design is. Don't put the small spring in the acid as it may get lost in the cleaning proccess. I discovered that reinstalling was just as bad as having a rectal exam. Holy crap what a job putting everything back together. I have done dozens of brake jobs, and I have never fought so much with springs in my life. Make sure you don't put the tiny cam spring on until your all done. It keeps the adjuster from expanding out while trying to get the short inch and a half spring on. This spring will test your temper, knuckles and lower back to the max. BE PREPARED TO FIGHT WITH THIS #&&& SPRING. but once that spring is on, the rest is gravy. Don't forget at this time to put the tiny spring back on the adjuster cam. Make sure you clean the spindle before re-installing the drums as it will have crap all over it. Watch the small seal as well. I have no idea why FORD would design such a stupid adjuster device, but then again, the normal style with the little sprockets seize as well or just rot away. But at least those ones are easy to change.