How to Fix Drum Brakes on a Saturn

Saturn vehicles may have disc or drum brakes on the rear wheels, depending on the year and model. If the vehicle has drum brakes, the parking brake shoes are installed within the drum itself. If you need to fix the drum brakes by replacing the shoes, you are dealing with numerous springs that connect the shoes and will require precision to disassemble and reassemble. The exact method may vary depending on the model, also, so talk with your mechanic beforehand. Professional help may be needed.

Instructions

Accessing the Brake Shoes

1

Raise the vehicle's rear end and support it with jack stands, then remove the rear wheels. Block the front wheels with wheel chocks and release the parking brake.

2

Pull the brake drum off of the wheel studs.

3

Clean the brake assembly with an aerosol brake cleaner. At the same time, observe the assembly and take note of where all the components are installed and positioned.

Removing the Brake Shoes

4

Unhook the upper return spring from its retaining bracket with needle-nose pliers, then remove the bracket, the self-adjuster lever connected to the bracket and the adjuster spring hooked onto the lever.

5

Pull the brake shoes apart at their upper ends and remove the adjuster from in between them. Push and twist the hold-down springs with pliers to remove the springs and retaining pins.

6

Disconnect the lower return spring from the front shoe and remove that shoe. Remove the rear shoe and detach its parking brake lever from the cable.

7

Unscrew the brake adjuster and clean it with the brake cleaner. Lubricate the threads and ends with high-temperature grease and re-assemble the brake adjuster.

8

Transfer the parking brake lever from the old rear shoe to the new one. You may need to pry out the pin with pliers and install the pin with a new clip or drill out the rivet and fasten the lever to the shoe with a rivet gun.

9

Clean the brake assembly's backing plate with the brake cleaner and a rag. Apply the high-temperature grease to the brake shoe contact areas on the backing plate.

Installing New Brake Shoes

10

Connect the parking brake cable to the parking brake lever on the rear brake shoe. Place the shoe on the backing plate and attach its hold-down spring with vice-grip pliers.

11

Hook the lower return spring to the rear shoe and then on to the new front shoe. Install the front shoe on the backing plate and secure it with its hold-down spring.

12

Place the brake adjuster in between the shoes with its screw turned as far back as it will go. Position the adjuster's forked end so the longer fork is behind the rear shoe.

13

Connect the adjuster lever spring to the front shoe and the adjuster lever. Place the lever on its pivot pin and install the retaining bracket in its holes.

14

Connect the upper return spring to the brake shoes using needle-nose pliers. Make sure the brake shoes connect to the pistons on the upper wheel cylinder.

15

Connect the brake drum back onto the hub flange and re-connect the wheel without tightening the lug nuts.

16

Lower the vehicle off the jack stands after changing the brake shoes for both wheels, then tighten the lug nuts.