Parts for your 2005 Ford Territory-Brake shoes

2005 Ford Territory brake shoes — what they do and how to look after them

Brake shoes are absolutely relevant on a 2005 Ford Territory. According to the Ford Territory SX/SY Workshop Manual (Ford Australia, Section 206–04/05: Rear Disc Brake and Parking Brake), the model runs rear disc brakes for service braking, with a drum-in-hat parking brake that uses brake shoes. This setup is also shown in Disc Brakes Australia rotor catalogues (noting an internal drum/“shoe-in-hat” handbrake) and widely supported by Bendix/Protex fitment guides that list handbrake shoes for 2004–2005 Territory. So while the foot brake uses pads on discs, the handbrake relies on a set of small drum shoes inside the rear rotors.

The purpose of these handbrake shoes is straightforward: when the lever is pulled, the shoes expand inside the rotor’s internal drum to hold the vehicle securely when parked. They don’t usually slow the car while driving, but they’re crucial for parking on hills and for WOF/roadworthy compliance.

Owners typically notice worn or out-of-adjustment shoes as a weak handbrake, excessive lever travel, a scraping noise from the rear after a handbrake on-off, or a hot/burning smell if the handbrake has been left slightly on. Contamination from diff oil or grease can also glaze the linings and slash holding power.

• Inspection: Have them checked during routine servicing (every 20,000–40,000 km, or sooner if the handbrake feels weak). The rotor must come off to see the shoes properly.
• Replacement: Replace shoes in axle pairs and fit a new hardware/spring kit. If the internal drum in the rear rotor is scored or out of round, replace or machine the rotor to suit.
• Cleaning and lube: Clean with brake cleaner only. Lubricate the shoe contact points and adjuster threads lightly with high-temp brake grease, keep any grease off the linings.
• Adjustment: Set the star-wheel adjuster through the backing plate/access hole so the drum just drags, then back off slightly. Adjust the cable at the lever last. Don’t try to fix weak holding power with cable tension alone—worn shoes or a worn drum won’t be solved by overtightening.
• Bed-in: After replacement, perform a gentle bed-in with a few low-speed handbrake applications to seat the linings. Recheck lever travel and holding on a safe slope.

Look after the Territory’s handbrake shoes and they’ll hold strong for years, ignore them and you’ll be chasing poor holding, noisy rears, and a fail at inspection time.

Popular questions

Does a 2005 Ford Territory actually have brake shoes?
Yes. The rear brakes are discs for normal braking, but the parking brake uses drum-style shoes inside the rear rotors. This design is documented in the Ford Territory SX/SY Workshop Manual and reflected in DBA and Bendix/Protex parts catalogues.

How often should the handbrake shoes be replaced?
There’s no strict interval—it depends on use. Have them inspected every 20,000–40,000 kilometres. Replace if the linings are worn below spec, cracked, glazed, contaminated, or if the internal drum surface is damaged and won’t bed in properly.

Can a weak handbrake be fixed with just an adjustment?
Sometimes. Correct procedure is to adjust the shoe star-wheel at the drum first, then fine-tune the cable. If the shoes are worn or the drum surface inside the rotor is scored, no amount of cable tension will restore proper holding—shoes and/or rotors need attention.