F53 – Parking Brake assembly fluid check

One of the last things on my hit list was to verify the fluid level in the parking brake assembly.  Hidden just above the cable is a 13mm plug.  To check the level,  remove the plug,  the level should be even with the plug.

When I removed the plug,  a small amount seeped out, so I knew the level was OK.  (have rags and a small pane ready.) HOWEVER,  instead of the color being a nice Automatic Transmission Fluid red,  it was a brownish color. So I decided to replace the fluid.

Ford calls for MERCON LV fluid to be used in the brake assembly/.  I use Valvoline Synthetic ATF, its compatible with Mercon LV)

There is no drain plug,  so the only way to get the fluid out is a small pump.  I bought a small hand pump from Harbor Freight to use to pump fluid into my leveler jacks.  This pump came with various hoses and adapters and would do nicely.

I attached a small hose to the pump and fed a couple inches of the small hose into the  level check hole.  There isn’t a lot of fluid in the assembly, I’d guess  about 4-6 ounces.

I pumped out as much as I could (see pan photo),  then refilled the assembly with fresh fluid.  I then pumped this out and refilled it again.  I now have nice fresh, clean fluid in the parking brake assembly. The little orange hand pump is from Harbor Freight, $7