How to Change the Rear Brake Shoes on a 1992 Honda Accord

When the break pedal is pressed, the brake shoes apply outward pressure against the brake drums in the rear wheels of a 1992 Honda Accord, slowing the vehicle to a stop. Performing the task of removing and replacing the brake shoes on the 1992 Honda Accord will require inspecting the brake drum for excessive wear. Brake drums have come down in price and are rather inexpensive, so it is common to simply replace the the brake drum when replacing the brake shoes.

Instructions

Removal of the Old Brake Shoes

1

Place the vehicle's transmission in "Park" and block off the front tires. Break loose the rear lug nuts with the tire iron. Lift the vehicle into the air with the floor jack. Place jack stands under the rear frame rails and lower the floor jack until the vehicle rests securely on the jack stands. Remove the lug nuts with the tire iron and pull the tire away from the vehicle.

2

Pull the drum away from the brake assembly; if it it will not budge, strike it with the rubber mallet to break loose any corrosion, and try again.

3

Spray brake cleaner over the entire brake assembly to remove any buildup of worn friction material.

4

Remove the brake shoe-retaining pins by placing the backing plate spring compressor tool over the holding spring and retaining clip and turning it. Relieve pressure on the spring and pull the pin from the rear of the backing plate. Perform this on the opposite shoe to release the brake shoe assembly from the backing plate. Remove the lower shoe return spring with the pliers.

5

Pull the brake shoe assembly from the backing plate. Remove the parking brake cable from the parking brake lever, using the pliers.

6

Remove the brake shoe upper return spring with the pliers. Make a mental note of how the adjusting mechanism is connected between the two shoes; draw this on paper, or take a picture, if necessary. Remove the self-adjusting spring and adjuster assembly from between the two brake shoes. Remove the retaining clip from the parking brake lever. Remove the lever and pin from the old brake shoe.

Installing the New Brake Shoes

7

Place the parking brake lever pin through the new brake shoe, slide the lever over the pin and push the retaining clip into place to secure the lever onto the brake shoe. If the adjuster does not turn freely, unscrew it all the way. Clean the threads with a wire brush, and grease them with general automotive grease.

8

Turn the adjuster bolt until it is all the way tight and as short as it gets. Place the adjuster between the new brake shoes. Stretch the adjuster spring from the adjuster lever to the brake shoe, and secure it into the right brake shoe, using the pliers. Attach the upper shoe return spring to the brake shoes. Apply automotive grease to the pads on the backing plate, and set the brake shoe assembly back into place.

9

Mount the brake shoe assembly to the the backing plate by pushing the mounting pins through the rear of the backing place and through the mounting hole in the brake shoes. Set the spring in place and place the retainer over the pin. Compress the mounting spring and turn the retainer a half-turn, using the backing plate spring compressor tool.

10

Attach the parking brake cable to parking brake lever. Hook the lower return spring to one shoe, stretch it and hook it to the opposite shoe, using the pliers.

11

Check the clearance between the new brake shoes and the drum. Turn the adjusting lever until the brake drum will barely fit over the brake shoe assembly, and spin freely. Slide the drum into place.

12

Place the wheel back onto the vehicle and tighten the lug nuts, by hand. Lift the vehicle off the jack stands with the floor jack. Remove the jack stands and lower the vehicle onto the ground. Tighten the lug nuts to 80 foot-pounds of torque with the torque wrench. Apply the brake several times to allow the automatic adjuster to properly adjust the brakes before driving.