How to Replace Emergency Brake Pads

Today the emergency brake on most automobiles is used exclusively as a parking brake, and because the vehicle is not moving when the brake is applied, the brake pads or shoes will often last for the life of the vehicle. From time to time, rust and corrosion will cause the shoe linings to separate from the shoe, or the shoe linings will wear out because of improper brake adjustment. In these cases, the emergency brake shoes must be replaced, and vehicle owners can save both time and money by doing the job themselves.

Instructions

1

Securely block the front wheels of the automobile. Be sure the emergency brake is completely disengaged. Slightly loosen the rear wheel lug nuts. Jack the rear end of the automobile up until both rear wheels are off the ground. Support the vehicle securely on jack stands placed under the designated support points on the vehicle. Remove both rear wheels. Work on one wheel at a time, using the other wheel as a reference to remind you how the parts should fit together.

2

Remove the brake caliper retaining bolts and slide the caliper off the disk. Use a wire or cord to hang the caliper out of the way. Be careful not to damage the brake hose.

3

Remove the bolts that hold the disk to the hub assembly and pull the disk off the hub. If the disk is stubborn. then tap the shoulder of the drum area of the disk with a hammer. Be careful not to strike the disk itself on the friction area. Once the disk is removed, the parking brake mechanism will be visible.

4

Remove the upper and lower return springs. Use pliers to grip each spring end and unhook it from the retaining eyes on the brake shoes. When removing the upper spring, remove the brake strut by sliding it down from between the brake shoes.

5

Detach each brake shoe from the backing plate by removing the hold-down pin and spring that holds each shoe. Push the spring toward the backing plate and turn the pin clockwise until it releases from the backing plate. Some pins can be turned using a hex key, while others require a large screwdriver. On some vehicle springs, clips are used instead of pins and springs, in which case the clips can be removed by using pliers to push the clips down and then pulling them out.

6

Unhook the brake tension spring and remove it. This spring is located right beside the adjuster wheel. Slide the adjuster wheel out from between the shoes and remove it.

7

Pull the two brake shoes straight off of the backing plate. Use pliers to remove the retaining ring from the parking brake cable end and remove the cable from the parking brake shoe lever.

8

Clean the brake backing plate with brake cleaning fluid. Clean the springs, lever and the adjuster wheel in the same way. Use a metal catch pan to catch the excess brake cleaning fluid and dispose of the used fluid in accordance with local regulations.

9

Apply a coat of anti-seize compound or brake grease at the points where the shoes contact the backing plate. Use brake grease to lubricate the threads of the adjuster wheel threads.

10

Reassemble the emergency brake, using new shoes by following the steps in the reverse order. Use the intact wheel as a reference. Reinstall the disk with the adjustment port directly over the emergency brake adjuster wheel. Remove the plug from the adjustment port and use a screwdriver to rotate the adjuster wheel until the shoes touch the outside housing. Turn the adjuster wheel back about six notches to set the brake clearance. Follow the same steps to change the shoes on the other wheel.