Parts for your 2013 Ford Falcon-Brake shoes

2013 Ford Falcon brake-shoes — what they do and when to service them

Brake-shoes are relevant on the 2013 Ford Falcon (FG MkII era). Technical documentation shows the Falcon uses rear disc brakes for service braking, with a separate drum-in-hat parking brake that relies on internal brake shoes. See: Ford Falcon FG MkII Workshop Manual, Section 206-05 Parking Brake—Description and Operation, Gregory’s/Haynes Ford Falcon BA–FG (2002–2014) Service and Repair Manual, and Australian parts catalogues (e.g., Bendix/DBA) listing rear rotors with an internal handbrake drum and corresponding parking-brake shoe sets.

On this Falcon, the brake-shoes live inside the “hat” section of each rear disc rotor. They’re only called into action when the handbrake is applied, locking the rear wheels for safe parking and as a mechanical backup if hydraulics fail. Unlike the front and rear service brakes that use pads squeezing rotors, these shoes expand against a small internal drum surface. They don’t see the same heat and loads as the main brakes, but they still wear, glaze, and go out of adjustment over time.

As part of regular servicing, it’s smart to have the handbrake shoes inspected every 12 months or 20,000 km, especially if the handbrake is used frequently on hills. Tell-tale signs they need attention include a weak handbrake that struggles to hold on an incline, a long lever travel, a scraping sound from the rear when moving off with the handbrake partly on, or visible contamination of the linings from axle seal or hub grease.

Replacement typically involves removing the rear rotors to access the drum-in-hat assembly, checking the return springs and hardware, fitting new shoe linings, and cleaning the drum surface. The star-wheel adjuster must be set correctly so the shoes lightly “kiss” the drum without dragging. After fitting, the handbrake cable is adjusted for correct lever travel, and the shoes should be bedded in with a few gentle applications at low speed to stabilise the friction material.

While they’re separate from the main braking system, healthy brake-shoes make a big difference to day-to-day convenience and safety. Keeping the assembly clean, adjusting it properly, and replacing worn shoes before they’re down to the last millimetres will ensure the Falcon’s handbrake bites firmly and holds like it should.

• Inspect every 12 months/20,000 km
• Adjust star-wheel and lever/cable as needed
• Replace if lining is glazed, oil-soaked, cracked, or below spec

Popular questions

Does a 2013 Ford Falcon actually have brake-shoes?
Yes. The FG MkII Falcon uses drum-style brake-shoes inside the rear disc rotors for the parking brake, while the service brakes are discs with pads.

How often should the handbrake shoes be replaced on a 2013 Falcon?
There’s no strict kilometre-only interval. Inspect annually or every 20,000 km. Replace when the linings are worn close to minimum thickness, contaminated, cracked, or when adjustment no longer restores a solid handbrake hold.

Why does my Falcon’s handbrake feel weak even after adjustment?
Glazed or worn shoes, a scored drum surface inside the rotor hat, stretched cables, or tired return springs can all reduce holding power. Replacing the shoes and hardware and lightly machining or replacing the rotors (if the drum surface is out of spec) usually restores bite.