How to Change the Rear Drum Brakes on a 2003 PT Cruiser

The drum brakes on the PT Cruiser, like most vehicles, use brake shoes that work with the parking brake. If the parking brake doesn't feel tight, you may need to replace the shoes. The drum assembly uses retaining pins, springs and other parts to hold the brake shoes in place and adjust them. Use caution if you decide to replace the brake shoes yourself. You must replace the shoes on both drums.

Instructions

Removal

1

Block the front wheels then raise the car's rear end and support it on jack stands. Release the parking brake and remove the rear wheels.

2

Slip the brake drum off. If it is stuck, insert a screwdriver into the hole in the backing plate to turn the adjuster wheel and retract the brakes.

3

Unhook the return spring from the adjuster lever and brake shoe (this spring runs up and down on the side) using locking pliers then disconnect the upper and lower return springs.

4

Twist and remove the hold-down spring and retainer from the front shoe then remove the shoe.

5

Pull out the rod and fork-shaped adjuster from the assembly.

6

Pry open the retainer on the parking brake lever just enough to remove it. Remove the rear shoe's hold-down spring and retainer, then separate the shoe from the parking brake lever to remove it.

Installation

7

Apply small amounts of high temperature grease to the spots on the backing plate that contact the brake shoes, along with the moving parts of the brake assembly and where the adjuster touches the brake shoes.

8

Connect the replacement rear shoe to the parking brake lever using the pin and the wave washer from the old shoe/lever connection and secure the retainer in the pin groove with the pliers. Install the rear shoe on the brake assembly.

9

Insert the adjuster onto the brake shoe.

10

Install the front shoe with its hold-down spring, making sure the adjuster is properly seated in between the two brake shoes.

11

Connect all the return springs using the pliers.

12

Slip the drum back onto the assembly then adjust the shoes with the adjuster wheel until the drum drags against the shoes when turned. Turn the adjuster wheel in the other direction until the shoes just stop dragging.

13

Reconnect the wheels and lower the car once you've changed both brake assemblies.