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After a thorough cleaning with solvent and blown dry with compressed air, inspect the bearings and races for discoloration and pitting. Replace bearing and race if imperfections are found.

Ford uses grease that is fortified with molydenum to provide superior protection, do not mix with other types! Pack bearings from the ends until grease pushes out the opposite side. Don't fill the hub cavity with grease, just pack the bearings. Replace the inner seal, taking care not to distort it. If you don't have a seal installer, improvise with a block of wood and a hammer.

Look inside the dust cap if it has dents, to insure clearance for cotter pin, do a little body work.

Slip the brake drum back on the spindle, slight rubbing of the brake shoes is desired. If the shoes need adjusted, pull the drum and turn the adjuster by hand until a slight drag is felt when the drum is installed. When the adjustment feels about right with the outer bearing in place, install washer and finger tighten the retaining nut. Spin the drum again to assure bearings run smoothly. BEARING PRELOAD IS CRITICAL!

With a pair of slip-joint pliers or other, snug but don't overtorque the nut. Spin the drum by hand again to seat bearing. Back the nut off just enough to allow the backing washer to be moved without excessive force by using a screwdriver.

Reinstall the nut retainer and install cotter pin and bend end over close as possible to the spindle. Install dust cap. The dust cap has a ridge around it that can be used to drive the cap on, with a flat screwdriver and hammer. Don't pound on and dent the dust cap!

Check your brake adjustment once more for a slight rubbing feel, if to loose, tighten in small increments until your adjustment feels right. Do not overtighten brake shoes where drum cannot be spun by hand.

Recheck bearing preload adjustment again after installing wheel and tire and again after a few hundred miles just to be sure it has not loosened.

DON'T TAKE CHANCES WITH BEARINGS OR BRAKES. Never assume when it comes to safety! If you are unsure of your work, have it inspected by a competant professional, gain peace of mind for a nominal sum, if any.

We will convert this convertible to disk brakes in the next feature, after the upper contol arm gets replaced.