Repair 7

How to Adjust the Brakes on a Mustang

You can restore the height of the brake pedal on your Mustangs rear drum brake by adjusting the brakes from time to time. This will also have the added benefit of extending the life of your brakes and restoring the emergency brake function. Mustangs with rear disc brakes are adjusted automatically when you push down on the brake pedal.

Instructions

1

Put wheel chocks in front of and behind the front wheels of the vehicle. Put the floor jack under the rear differential and raise the vehicle up high enough to slide the jack stands under the car. Position the stands next to the rear axles. Lower the car onto the jack stands with the jack.

2

Disengage the parking brake and put the car into neutral.

3

Find the adjustment plug, which is toward the bottom of the backing plate, and remove it. The backing plate can be found behind the rear wheels.

4

Put the screwdriver through the hole in the plate and turn the self-adjuster upward while turning the closest rear wheel in a forward direction. You will know the brake is fully adjusted when you feel a slight drag as you spin the wheel. Remove the screwdriver and put the plug back in place. Repeat with the other wheel.

5

Put the car into park and raise the car. Slide out the jack stands and lower the car to the ground. Remove the wheel chocks. Engage and disengage the parking brake several times and test-drive it to make sure the brakes have been adjusted properly. If the parking brake clicks a maximum of six times and the brake pedal is higher, then you know it has been properly adjusted.