O1 Taurus Rear Drum Brakes Silliness

[ted g]

Hi all

This concerns an 01 Taurus, 3.0L (U) Pushrod engine, SES.

I bought the pretty thing a couple of years ago. NJ inspection came up. It flew through including emissions but failed for inadequate parking brake reserve. Two ways to fix this for inspection purposes: (1) Tighten adjuster (2) It probably could use new rear brakes. Do them and it will most likely eliminate the parking brake problem.

First I wanted to just get the new sticker. So I tried the adjuster. Yeah, right, the thing is frozen to the front cable. I tried PB Blaster and abusing the thing a little. If I put enough force on this it is going to break the front cable.

I went to Ford to get a new adjuster. The local dealer wanted to sell me a new front cable. Ok for me if it comes with the adjuster. The parts dept didn't know if it comes with the adjuster and they see no part number for the adjuster itself.

Has anyone recently bought a new adjuster only or a cable with an adjuster for one of these cars?

Question 2. I can't get the rear drums off. Not something I haven't handled before. I tried backing off the adjusters, still no luck. The last time I faced this I eventually just cut the retaining pins from the outside of the backing plate. Problem here is there is something going on in one of the drums I am not sure of. To one side of the adjuster I see what might be a spinning gear. I would think this is something from the anti=lock or traction but the sensor seems to be in the hub far from the brake. This "gear" is spinning when the wheel is turned so I don't think I am misunderstanding this.

As a result of all that I am afraid to just brute force the drum off as I can't find any reference to what's spinning. This leaves me a little concern over getting things assembled right and maybe breaking something taking it apart.