How to Change the Rear Brake Shoes on a 1977 Lincoln Mark V

Changing the rear brake shoes on a Lincoln Mark V requires time, concentration and patience. Though the process itself is not overly complicated, the steps required must be followed precisely or you could damage your brake system or even injure yourself if the system fails while you're operating your car. Consequently it is not recommended that you change the brake shoes on your Lincoln without first consulting a knowledgeable mechanic.

Tools Used: Lug wrench, 5 ton jack, Jack stands, Return spring tool, Penetrating oil, Retainer clip speciality tool

Change the Rear Brake Shoes

Crack the lug nuts on the rear wheel of your Lincoln before lifting onto a jack. This will enable you to use the pressure of the tire on the ground under the weight of the car for leverage as you try to loosen the nut.

Lift your Lincoln with a 5 ton jack and support its rear end with two jack stands. Remove the lug nuts from the rear wheel you're working on first and then remove the tire from the brake drum.

Spray the brake drum with penetrating oil. Penetrating oil is a low-viscosity lubricant that allows you to unscrew rusted or otherwise stuck bolts and nuts. It can be purchased at a local car parts store.

Remove the return spring from the brake drum using the specialty return spring tool. The return spring tool looks like a pair of pliers and can be purchased at a car parts store.

Remove the spring retainer clips using the clips specialty tool by holding the rear of the retaining pin down and inserting the specialty tool over top the front of the clip and turning the tool counter clockwise. The retainer clip specialty tool looks like a screwdriver and can be purchased at a car parts store.

Hook up a line wrench onto the brake line connected to the rear drum and loosen the fitting to remove the line. Unscrew the bolts mounting the wheel cylinder so you can remove the wheel cylinder itself.

Remove the wheel cylinder so you can remove the old brake shoes. Replace both the brake shoes and the wheel cylinder. Reattach the brake lines.

Reassemble the rear wheel brake drum system in reverse order. Adjust and test your new rear brakes. The new brake shoes should lightly contact the brake drum. Bleed the brake system to ensure that it is free of air and leaks.