How to Replace Car Brake Shoes

Proper brake care helps ensure your vehicle's safety. According to 2 Car Pros, more than half of car manufacturers still use drum-style rear brakes as of 2010. Worn brake shoes can lead to brake failure and, potentially, a serious accident. When you notice a squealing or pulsing coming from your rear wheels when braking, inspect your brake shoes. If the brake shoes are worn down to 1/8 inch or less, replace them.

Instructions

Instructions

1

Remove the tire and brake drum. Raise your vehicle off the ground using your jack. Remove the hubcap from the tire. Remove the lug nuts with the lug wrench and remove the tire, then remove the brake drum. If it does not slide off easily, strike the drum several times on each side with your rubber mallet until the rust loosens and the drum slides off easily. Put on your protective goggles and gloves.

2

Remove the brake shoes. Remove the springs using the brake spring tool. Grasp the end of the spring connected to the brake shoe, and pull it outward away from the shoe until it comes loose; remove the spring. Repeat on the opposite brake shoe. Hold the rear of the retainer pin, and place the brake shoe removal tool over the brake spring retainer clip. Turning the tool counterclockwise, remove the pin and clip. Repeat on the opposite brake shoe. Remove the brake shoes from the hub.

3

Attach the new brake shoes. Place the shoe against the drum, and place the retainer pin through the back of the brake shoe. Place the retainer clip on the front of the brake shoe and grasp firmly, then place the retainer clip on the pin. Place the brake spring removal tool over the retainer clip, then turn it clockwise to lock it into place. Repeat on the opposite brake shoe. Replace the brake springs using the brake spring tool.

4

Bleed the brakes: Start the vehicle, and have your assistant pump the brake pedal three to four times and then press the brake pedal to the floor. Use the wrench to loosen the bleeder screw until brake fluid flows through, then retighten the screw. Repeat this process three to four times or until the brake pedal feels tight when braking. Refill the master cylinder with brake fluid if needed.

5

Replace the drum and tire. Place the drum back onto the hub, and turn it until tight. Place the tire over the drum. Replace the lug nuts, and tighten them by tightening one nut and then its diagonal nut until the lug wrench can no longer turn.