How to Install Rear Brakes on a 1996 Camaro

Installing rear brakes on the Chevy Camaro is not difficult. You can in fact, change the brakes in your driveway, eliminating the need of taking the car to a repair garage. It takes about an hour to change drum brakes on the Camaro. When you change the brake shoes, you need to also thoroughly inspect the brake drum to make sure it has no damage such as cracking or grooves from over-worn brake shoes. If there is any damage present, you will need to have the drums resurfaced, or replaced.

Instructions

1

Park the Camaro on a level surface and turn off the key. Do not set the parking brake or you will not be able to change the brake shoes. Place a set of wheel chocks in front of the front tires. Raise the Camaro with the automobile jack. Place a jack stand under the car near the jacking point and raise it to the frame.

2

Loosen the lug nuts with the lug wrench and remove the wheel from the car on the side you are starting with. Pull the brake drum away from the axle. You may have to strike the drum several times with the rubber mallet to break it loose if it does not come off easily.

3

Remove the return springs from the brake shoes using the brake tool. Remove the hold-down springs from the primary and secondary shoes by using a pair of pliers to grasp the spring and turn it one-quarter turn while pushing it in. Remove the actuator pivot by unhooking it from the assembly. While lifting the actuator pivot off, remove the actuator link.

4

Remove the actuator return spring using the brake tool to unhook it. Remove the shoe guide, the parking brake lever, and the parking brake strut by unhooking them from the secondary shoe. Remove the brake shoes from the backing plate along with the parking brake rear cable.

5

Remove the adjusting screw assembly from the brake shoes. Apply a light coat of oil to the threads and turn the adjuster all the way in. Disengage the parking brake cable from the parking brake lever by unhooking it. Remove the parking brake lever from the brake shoe by prying open the retaining ring using the pliers.

6

Clean all brake parts thoroughly using an approved brake cleaner. If the brake drums are new, you need to make sure that you thoroughly clean the protective coating from them. Install the parking brake lever to the secondary brake sure and secure it with a new retaining ring.

7

Install the secondary shoe to the backing plate. Secure the secondary shoe with the retaining spring by grasping it with the pliers and turning it one-quarter turn while pushing it in. Connect the parking brake cable to the lever by hooking it on to it. Place the primary shoe on the backing plate and secure it by grasping the retaining spring with the pliers and turning it one-quarter turn while pushing it in.

8

Place the self-adjuster between the brake shoes in the notches. Install the parking brake strut and the spring. Install the actuator lever and lever-return spring. Install the actuator pivot and hold down springs using the brake tool. Hook the actuator link into the lever while holding the lever up. Install the return springs using the brake tool.

9

Place the brake drum on the wheel assembly. Install the tire and tighten the lug nuts with the lug wrench. Remove the jack stand from under the Camaro. Lower the car to the ground and repeat the procedure on the other wheel.