How to Remove the Brake Drums From 1998 a Pontiac Sunfire

The Pontiac Sunfire was introduced in 1995. The 1998 Pontiac Sunfire was equipped with a 2.2-liter, in-line, four-cylinder engine as standard equipment. The 1998 Sunfire GT was fitted with a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder, which produced 35 more horsepower than the 2.2-liter engine. The typical brake setup on the 1998 Sunfire consisted of front disc and rear drum brakes. A four-wheel disc-brake system was an available upgrade. Rear brake drums are usually removed for replacement, or access to the rear brakes and hardware.

Instructions

Removing the Brake Drum

1

Loosen the rear wheel lug nuts on the Sunfire, using a tire iron. Raise the rear end of the car, using a jack. Place jack stands beneath the rear axle bar. Remove the lug nuts completely from the rear wheels, and remove the rear wheel and tire assemblies.

2

Remove the brake drum retaining clips, which are attached to the lug studs. Use a pair of side-cutters or snips to snip the clips free. If the Sunfire you are working on does not have these retainer clips, disregard this step and proceed to Step 3.

3

Attempt removal of the brake drums by pulling the drum with your hands. Gently use a hammer to strike the face of the brake drum (the side facing out from the car), in between the wheel studs. Be careful not to hit any of the wheel studs. Hit the face of the drum five to 10 times, then try removing the drum by hand again. If you cannot remove the drum by hand, proceed to the next step in this project.

4

Pull the small rubber stopper off of the brake backing plate, at the bottom of the plate. Insert a small flat head screwdriver into the slot. Turn the star-wheel adjuster by pushing the wheel downward with the screwdriver. Tap the brake drum with a rubber mallet from side to side, on the outside of the drum. If the drum will not release, turn the star wheel adjuster again, then hit the drum from side to side. Repeat this step until the brake shoes are adjusted in far enough for the drum to be released.

5

Repeat Steps 2 through 4 of this section to remove the drum from the other side of the Sunfire.

Inspection, Cleaning, and Adjusting of the Rear Brakes

6

Inspect the total diameter of the inside of the brake drum. Use a micrometer to measure the total diameter of the drum. The maximum measurement allowed is 7.929 inches. If you do not have a micrometer, you can use a tape measure. Measure the distance across the drum. The standard measurement should be less than 7 7/8-inches. If the drum measurement is not within the specifications given for either the micrometer or tape measure, or if it is very close to the measurement, discard the brake drum and replace it.

7

Measure the thickness of the brake shoe. The brake shoe should be at least 3/16 inch thick. If the forward or rear mounted shoes are not within the parameters for thickness, then you need to replace the brake shoes. If the brake shoes are within the specified thickness then a clean and adjust of the rear brakes should be performed.

8

Spray the brake drum and drum brake components, using aerosol brake parts cleaner. You should use about half of the can for one side. If the brake drum was loose during the removal process, then the brakes are under adjusted. If the brake drum was very hard to remove then the brakes are over adjusted.

9

Turn the star-wheel-adjuster to adjust the rear brakes inward or outward. If the brakes were under adjusted, then you need to turn the wheel so that the brake shoes are pushed apart. If the brakes were over adjusted, turn the star wheel adjust to move the shoes closer together. Only turn the adjuster three turns at a time. Test the adjustment of the brakes by installing and removing the rear drum. You should acquire about 5 to 10 pounds of resistance when sliding the drum on or off. Adjust the brakes until you receive this desired resistance.

10

Check your rear brake adjustment by installing the rear tire onto the Sunfire, and tightening the lug nuts until they are snug. Place your hand at the top of the tire, and spin the rear wheel. Let go of the wheel and let it spin freely when your hand is at the bottom of the rotation. The wheel should complete one turn if you have adjusted the brakes correctly. Readjust the brakes then repeat this step as necessary. With the wheel on, you can make the adjustment through the slot in the backing plate. Repeat Steps 1 through 5 to inspect and adjust the second side of the Sunfire.

11

Install the rear wheels on the Sunfire and tighten the lug nuts until they are snug. Raise the rear of the car with your jack, and remove the jack stands from beneath the car. Lower the car to the ground.

12

Tighten the rear lug nuts to 100 foot-pounds of final torque, using a 1/2-inch drive torque wrench and socket. Double check your torque on both rear wheels as a safety precaution, before driving.