Ford Motor Co. introduced the Focus to the North American market in 1999 as a 2000 model. As of 2010, the Focus has undergone many minor changes but remains largely unchanged. In 2008, the hatchback and wagon models were discontinued, leaving only the two- and four-door sedans in the Focus lineup. The Focus came standard with power front disc and rear drum brakes. Although the rear brakes shoes may not wear as quickly as the front brake pads, they should not be overlooked.
Park on firm, level ground. Chock the front wheels to prevent movement. Do not apply the parking brake, which operates off of the rear brakes. Slightly loosen the lug nuts on the rear wheels with a lug wrench. Remove the scissor jack from the cargo area. Place the jack under the jacking area located under the rocker panel just ahead of the rear wheel. Raise the car until the rear wheel is off the ground and place a jack stand under the rear suspension control arm. Lower the scissor jack until the weight of the car is resting on the jack stand. Repeat for the other rear wheel.
Finish removing the lug nuts from the rear wheels with a lug wrench. Remove the wheels and place them aside. Locate the four spindle-retaining nuts on the inboard side of the brake-backing plate. Remove the bolts with a 13mm socket and ratchet wrench. Place the bolts aside. Repeat for the other side of the car.
Unplug the antilock brake sensors, if your car is so equipped, from the rear brake assemblies by pressing in on the release tabs on the wiring connectors and pulling the two halves apart.
Pull the rear drum and spindle assembly straight out from the side of the car and place it aside. Repeat for the other side of the car.
Locate the two retaining clips that attach the brake-shoe assembly to the brake backing plate on one side of the car. Push down on the clips with a flat-blade screwdriver and remove them from the backing plate. Repeat for the other side of the car.
Pull the brake-shoe assembly off of the backing plate by twisting the assembly back and forth as needed to separate it from the backing plate. Slide the parking brake cable so that the retaining pin at the end of the cable protrudes from the brake assembly and slide it out of the hole in the brake shoe. Remove the brake-shoe assembly from the car. Repeat this step to remove the remaining rear assembly.
