Ford Repair: 92 taurus - rear drum brakes & spongy pedal, rear drum brakes, drum brakes

Question
My mudah-in-law has a 92 taurus wagon. I noticed a lot of noise coming from the back drum brakes.  I replaced them and also noticed no way to adjust them traditionally.  I suspect the emergency brake application adjusts them - need your input here.  Also, the brake pedal seems very spongy.  90k, built after March 15, 92.

While I have your ear, I removed the front tire, there is a rod with a ball joint on each end and the boots are torn - what is this part and can a "saturday" mechanic replase it easily?


Thanks
Jim

Answer
I saw you're question in the question pool.Go into a parking lot.Put the car into reverse and stab the breaks at 15m.p.h.Be very careful that there is no cars or pedestrians around.Do I need to make that any clearer.Please be careful.This is the best way to adjust rear brakes.The boot you are referring to sounds like it belongs to the rack and pinion.