How to Replace the Parking Brake Shoes on a 2001 Chevy Blazer

You use the rear brakes on your Chevrolet Blazer very sparingly during normal driving. Because they are the only ones your braking system uses when you apply the parking brake, the rear brakes are often referred to as parking brake shoes. Braking force is distributed in a 70 percent to the front and 30 percent to the rear ratio, under normal braking conditions. Because of this ratio, they tend to wear out about 30 percent as often as the front brakes. You can replace your 2001 Blazer's rear brake shoes in one to two hours.

Instructions

1

Chock one front wheel front and back to keep the truck from rolling. Release the parking brake. Using the lug wrench, loosen the log nuts on the rear wheels enough to turn by hand. Jack the rear of your Blazer up far enough for the rear wheels to just clear the ground. Remove the lug nuts, pull the tire off and set it aside. Do this on both sides. Pull the brake drums off and set aside.

2

Place the return spring tool over the top center stud and rotate it clockwise to remove the first return spring. Repeat this process to remove the second return spring. Set the springs aside, noting which side each came off of. Use a pair of wire cutters for this, but it takes more effort and care to not nick the spring and weaken it.

3

Place the retaining spring tool over the retaining spring and push down while turning a one-quarter turn in either direction. Do this on both retaining springs. Set these aside and note which side -- front or rear -- they came off of. Pull the pins and set them with the corresponding spring.

4

Remove the brake shoes from the backing plate and remove the adjuster from between the bottom of the shoes. Rotate the adjuster to close it completely. Remember which side the screw portion of the adjuster was oriented toward and set this aside with the clamp spring. Remove the parking brake spreader arm and place it with the other parts. You will now have the front brake shoe hanging by a cable with a heavy spring on it attached to a movable arm on the brake shoe.

5

Remove the parking brake spreader arm and place it with the other parts. You will now have the front brake shoe hanging by a cable with a heavy spring on it attached to a movable arm on the brake shoe. The spreader arm may have fallen out during the previous step as there is nothing holding it in except the return springs pulling the shoes toward the center.

6

Grip the parking brake cable between the spring and the arm using the wire cutters. Use only enough force to hold firmly but not enough to not allow the cable to slide. Pull the arm from a point near the cable retainer and pull the cable from the retainer. Without letting the spring snap back, slowly release the cable with the wire cutters.

7

Spray the brake cleaning compound liberally on the backing plate and the brake hardware to remove the dirt and grime. Apply a liberal amount of white lithium grease to the four raised contact points on the backing plate.

8

Grasp the knob at the end of the brake cable with the pliers. Use the wire cutters to collapse the spring until you have approximately 3/4 inch of cable exposed. Hold the cable tight with the wire cutters and insert the knob at the cable end into the parking brake arm. Carefully release the cable and let the spring return to full extension.

9

Insert the retaining pins through the backing plate and place the shoes over them, inserting the pin through the corresponding holes on the shoes. Place the retaining spring over the pins with the retaining pin tool, push in and make a one-quarter turn to lock the pin in place.

10

Place the adjuster cable upper opening over the center stud. Place the adjuster cable slider in the return spring hole on the rear brake shoe. Insert the bottoms of the large return springs into the shoes and, using the return spring tool, hook the spring over the top center stud. Do this for both return springs.

11

Pull back on the rear shoe and insert the parking brake spreader arm between the front and rear shoes in the corresponding notch in the shoes. Pay close attention to proper orientation. This piece keeps your brakes in proper adjustment.

12

Pull the bottom of the rear shoe toward the rear and, paying attention to orientation, insert the brake adjuster. Replace this part in the exact same orientation as it came out or the brake will not self-adjust.

13

Route the adjuster cable around the slider, making sure it is in the groove on the slider and connect it to the adjuster arm with the hook at the end of the cable. Insert the connector arm in the lowest hole in the rear shoe and replace the adjuster spring in the opposite shoe.

14

Replace the brake drum and turn it by hand. You should hear the shoes dragging against the drum. If not, remove the rubber plug from the back side of the backing plate and insert the adjusting tool or screwdriver through the slot. Push the back side of the adjuster wheel up by pushing down on the tool handle while turning the drum until you hear the shoe dragging.

15

Repeat the above steps on the other side.