Parts for your 2006 Ford Transit-Brake shoes

2006 Ford Transit brake shoes: what they do and when to replace them

Brake shoes are relevant to many 2006 Ford Transit models. According to Ford’s TIS Workshop Manual (Brakes 206-00), the Haynes Ford Transit Diesel 2000–2013 manual (No. 5551), and Ford ETIS/Microcat parts catalogues, most rear-wheel-drive (RWD) 2006 Transits run rear drum brakes, which use brake shoes. Some front-wheel-drive (FWD) variants have rear disc brakes with caliper handbrakes instead, so no brake shoes on those. If the van has rear drums, brake shoes are fitted, if it has rear discs, it doesn’t.

On RWD 2006 Transits, the rear shoes are the workhorses for steady stopping and the handbrake. They sit inside the drum and press outward when braking, sharing the load with the front discs. They’re simple, tough, and great for carrying weight—exactly what a Transit is built for.

As part of routine servicing, it’s smart to check the shoe lining thickness, the condition of the drum surface, and the state of the wheel cylinders and hardware. Shoes that are oil-soaked, cracked, glazed or worn down to the wear line need replacing. If the drums are scored or out of round, they’ll either need machining (within spec) or replacement. Always renew shoes as an axle set left and right, and replace the return springs if they’re tired.

For day-to-day driving in Australia and New Zealand, a good rule of thumb is to inspect the rear brakes every 20,000–30,000 kilometres, or sooner if there’s noise, a long pedal, or poor handbrake hold. Vans that tow, carry heavy loads, or do lots of stop–start courier work may need attention sooner.

• Listen for scraping or grinding from the rear under braking.
• Feel for a pulsing pedal, which can point to drum runout.
• Check handbrake travel, too many clicks often means adjustment or worn shoes.
• Look for brake dust caking at the backing plate slot—excess can flag wear.

When replacing, clean and lightly lubricate contact points on the backing plate (not the friction faces), fit new springs and hold-downs, and adjust the shoes to a slight drag before finalising the handbrake. After refitting, bed the shoes in with a few gentle stops to stabilise the friction material. If the van is a FWD model with rear discs, focus instead on pads, discs, and the handbrake mechanism built into the caliper, as there are no shoes to service.

• How can someone tell if their 2006 Transit has brake shoes?
  They can look through the rear wheel: a drum looks like a closed steel drum, while a disc is an exposed rotor with a caliper. The VIN build data or a quick check in Ford ETIS/Microcat will also confirm the setup.
• How often should rear brake shoes be replaced?
  There’s no fixed kilometre figure—lifespan depends on load and driving. Many last 60,000–120,000 km, but inspections every 20,000–30,000 km will catch wear early, especially for vans that tow or run heavy.
• Can a drum-brake Transit be converted to rear discs?
  It’s possible but not usually economical. It requires hubs, bearings, discs, calipers, hydraulic changes, parking brake hardware and certification. Keeping the drums in top nick is typically the better bet.