How to Assemble 1992 Chevrolet Pickup Rear Brakes

The 1992 Chevy Pickup was equipped from the factory with a duo-servo style rear drum brake system. This system used the rotation of the brake drum to force the secondary brake shoe (closest to the rear of the truck) against the brake drum to slow the vehicle. In this system the primary and secondary shoes are different sizes and must be installed in the proper orientation to work correctly. The home auto mechanic will complete the brake shoe replacement in a couple of hours.

Instructions

1

Park the truck on level ground and block the front wheels by placing wheel chocks securely against the tires. Roll the floor jack under the center of the rear differential and lift the truck until the rear wheels are off the ground. Place a jack stand under each axle tube located on either side of the differential and lower the truck onto the stands to support the differential. Remove the rear wheels using a lug wrench.

2

Remove the drum from the rear brake assembly by sliding it off the hub and brake shoes. A few sharp blows to the edge of the drum with a hammer will loosen a stuck drum. Rinse the excess brake dust from the brake shoes using a water hose and scrub brush to prevent the system from breathing the brake dust.

3

Position the brake shoe return spring tool onto the anchor pin located above the wheel cylinder. Hook the return spring with the tool and rotate the tool to roll the spring from the anchor pin. Remove both return springs in this manner and lay them, along with the brake adjuster rod, adjuster lever and parking brake strut that are now loose, aside.

4

Turn the brake adjuster's star wheel, located between the lower edges of the brake shoes, with your fingers until the adjuster is as short as possible. Pull the lower edges of the brakes shoes away from each other until the adjuster drops out from between the two shoes. Unhook the adjuster spring.

5

Rotate the brake shoe hold-down spring clips 1/4-turn, using the hold-down spring tool, and lay the springs aside. Remove the e-clip that attaches the parking brake lever to the brake shoe and lay both shoes aside.

6

Clean the backing plate with water and a scrub brush. Apply a small dab of silicon brake lube to the raised shoe contact areas on the backing plate. Install parking brake lever onto secondary shoe and secure it with the e-clip.

7

Slip the brake adjuster lever and rod onto the primary brake shoe and install the brake shoes on the backing plate. Use the hold down springs to secure the shoes to the backing plate. Remember the bigger shoe is the secondary shoe and goes toward the rear of the truck.

8

Install the parking brake strut between the shoes just below the wheel cylinder. Reinstall the brake shoe return springs using the return spring tool to pry the springs onto the anchor pin.

9

Clip the adjuster spring to the lower edges of the brake shoes. Pull the shoes apart and slip the adjuster into its slot between the shoes. Rotate the adjuster to expand the shoes. Expand the shoes until the brake drum just fits over the shoes and onto the hub.