How to Replace Drum Brake Pads

Drum brake pads are more popularly known as brake shoes. Before the introduction of disc brakes, drum brakes were featured on both the front and rear axles of vehicles. Because disc brakes are more effective, drum brakes were used in the rear on many vehicles with disc brakes featured on the front. This is a common standard to this day, however, more vehicles are now featuring both front and rear disc brakes. Because rear drum brakes only provide 25 to 30 percent braking capacity, they wear out slowly and replacing them is not as common as front brakes.

Instructions

1

Remove the hubcaps or center cap if applicable to access the lug nuts on the rear tires. Crack the lug nuts loose with the lug wrench, but do not remove them, a quarter turn will suffice.

2

Lift the rear axle, one side at a time, with the vehicle lift and then support the vehicle onto jack stands in an appropriate spot such as rear frame rail, rocker panel or rear axle if applicable. Do not apply the parking brake before lifting. This will lock the rear brakes and prevent you from removing the drum and servicing the rear brake shoes.

3

Finish removing the lug nuts and then remove the wheels.

4

Remove the drums. Drum removal procedures will vary between different makes and models. Refer to a specific repair manual for you vehicle. Some applications make require de-adjusting the brake shoes inward to allow the removal of the drum. This can be done with a brake shoe spoon and a slotted screwdriver. Some drums may come off with a simple blow from a hammer to break it free from the rear hub. Some drums may have retaining screws or bolts that need to be removed prior to removing the drum. Some older drums may have internal bearings and require the removal of a cotter pin, castellated cover, the spindle nut and the outer bearing to remove the drum.

5

Leave one side of the shoe assembly intact for referral when replacing the shoes on the other side.

6

Remove the return springs on the shoes first. Again, different makes and models may employ two upper return springs, one per shoe, while others may have an upper and lower return spring. Using a pair of brake spring pliers will make the job easier, but in some applications, a good set of needle-nose pliers can also be used.

7

Use the brake hold-down spring tool to remove the hold down springs by applying pressure to the hold-down pin on the backing plate with a finger and place the tool onto the spring. Press in on the tool and turn the spring until the notch in the cup of the spring aligns with the slot of the hold-down pin. Release the tool and allow the spring to pop out and off of the shoe.

8

Remove any remaining springs. The release of the shoes will allow you to manipulate them in order to make any other lower spring(s) holding them together by hand easy.

9

Remove the parking brake mechanism from the parking brake shoe. Again, this can feature a variety of different procedures per make and model. Refer to the repair manual for the correct procedure.

10

Remove the self-adjusting mechanism. In some cases, the self-adjuster cable may also require removal. Clean off the mechanism with brake cleaning spray and apply a light coat of anti-seize compound on the threads of the component, if applicable.

11

Spray the backing plate with brake clean spray and allow it to dry thoroughly. Use a piece of emery cloth to clean off any rust, corrosion or brake dust buildup on the shoe contact points of the backing plate. There are three per side. Apply a light coat of anti-seize compound to the contact points.

12

Install the new shoes by reversing the procedure you employed to remove them. This will require attaching the parking brake mechanism first. Use the other assembled side as reference in order to replace them correctly. Be aware that Some rear brake shoes feature different sized shoes. In the application, the smaller shoe is always located towards the front of the vehicle and the larger shoe towards the back of the vehicle. Always use a new brake spring hardware kit when replacing shoes. Spring tension can become compromised after removal and from normal wear and tear and deterioration.

13

Do not replace the drum on the newly assembled side so you can use it as reference again if necessary when replacing the opposite side.

14

Replace both drums last. Adjust the brake shoes outward if necessary once the drum has been installed using the brake spoon and a slotted screwdriver. Adjust them so you can spin the drum by hand, but it will not turn a complete revolution.

15

Replace the tires, lug nuts and torque them to the specific torque specification required for the vehicle. This information will be available in the repair manual. Use the torque wrench and a socket to perform the torque procedure and torque them in a star or crisscross pattern.

16

Lower the vehicle and test the parking brake for proper tension by applying it and making sure it holds the vehicle in gear. Test drive the vehicle and check the brakes.