The brake system in your 1998 Ford F-150 is a standard front disc/rear drum brake system. Removing the rear brakes on this truck is a common procedure for the home mechanic to perform during brake shoe replacement. Following an order of removal, and having specialized brake tools on hand, make this a quick job that can be completed in just a few minutes.
Place wheel chocks behind the front wheels. Lift the rear of the truck with the floor jack positioned under the rear differential until the wheels are off the ground. Place jack stands under the rear frame, and lower the jack until the frame of the truck is resting on the stands.
Remove the rear wheels with the lug wrench, and place the wheels and lug nuts aside to prevent loss of the nuts and tripping hazards. Release the parking brake if it is set.
Slide the brake drums off the rear brake set. If the drums are stuck, a few sharp blows with a large hammer around the outside edge of the drum usually frees them from the rust build-up on the axles.
Remove the primary and secondary return springs that attach the brake shoes to the pivot pin. Slip the return spring tool onto the pivot pin located at the top of the backing plate, just above the wheel cylinder, and twist the tool until the lip pulls the spring off the pivot pin. Repeat for the remaining return spring. The adjuster cable guide and Ford stule adjuster lever will fall free from the shoes as well.
Press the hold-down spring tool onto the spring retainer and twist until the retainer slot lines up with the retainer pin and releases the spring. Pull the shoes away from the backing plate and allow the star wheel adjuster to fall out.
Remove the horseshoe-shaped retainer that attaches the parking brake lever to the secondary shoe using the diagonal pliers to spread the retainer. Separate the parking brake lever from the shoe.
