How to Install Rear Drum Brakes

Installing new rear brake shoes is a straightforward process of safely removing the old shoes, cleaning the parts that will be reused and installing the new shoes. But there are a few things that can be done to bring professional results. The keys to top-notch brake work is to keep everything clean during reassembly and proper adjustment when the installation is complete.

Instructions

Disassemble and Clean

1

Remove the drum by sharply striking the drum face with a hammer to loosen it from the hub and slide it off the hub.

2

Clean the drum and brake assembly with soapy water and a scrub brush. This removes brake dust and suspends it in the soapy water so you don't breathe it. Caution--some brake shoes may contain asbestos.

3

Remove the return springs with the return-spring tool by rolling the return springs off the anchor pin. Removing the return springs first removes all of the tension from the shoes, and makes removal of the shoes much easier.

4

Remove the hold-down springs by rotating the spring retainers 90 degrees with the hold-down spring tool. The primary or front shoe will drop, and can be removed with the lower spring.

5

Disconnect the secondary shoe from the parking brake lever, and remove the shoe.

6

Clean the backing plate and all brake hardware with soapy water. Keeping dirt and grease off of the new shoes will prevent grabbing, and groaning noises.

7

Lube the backing-plate contact points with silicon brake lube. This allows the new shoes to slide on the backing plate. This prevents backing-plate wear, as well as squeaking and popping noises.

Reassembly

8

Attach the secondary shoe to the parking brake lever. Some of these use an e-clip, but most require a horseshoe-shaped clip that is crimped on using pliers.

9

Attach the primary and secondary shoes to the backing plate. Make sure the adjuster cable/ link, and guide are in place.

10

Make sure the adjuster cable/link and guide are in place. Install the parking-brake strut, and return springs

11

Install the adjuster lever, and the lower spring connecting the lower portions of the two shoes.

12

Install the self-adjuster by screwing the star wheel into the adjuster, and then spreading the shoes apart and slipping it into place between them.

The easiest way to accomplish this is by sliding the narrow end behind the shoes then slipping the star wheel end into place. Then with both hands, spread the shoes and position the narrow end onto the shoe.

Adjustment

13

Preadjustment can be accomplished by rotating the star wheel to spread the shoes, until the drum just fits on the assembly.

14

With the drum installed, use the adjuster tool to rotate the star wheel until the shoes drag slightly on the drum when turned.

15

Test drive and readjust as needed. The drum should have enough drag so it will spin almost one turn before stopping when spun by hand.