How to Remove the Rear Brakes on a Buick Lesabre

The Buick Lesabre was manufactured with rear drum brakes on most models, and these can be removed easily. The main drum and shoes are routine maintenance items, designed to be accessed and repaired through standardized means. The average backyard mechanic can remove both rear brakes from a Lesabre in about 40 minutes.

Instructions

1

Lift the Buick at the rear wheel by placing the floor jack underneath a frame rail and pumping the lever until the wheel is in the air. Support the jack with a jack stand in the same location as the jack head.

2

Take the wheel off by turning all of the lugnuts counterclockwise and pulling the wheel from the hub and lug bolts. Store the wheel away from the vehicle.

3

Slide the drum from the brake assembly by pulling it straight out. Some models will have keeper bolts or screws on the face of the drum that can be removed in a counterclockwise direction with a socket wrench or screwdriver. Inspect the interior of the brake assembly for leaks or excessive wear.

4

Remove the brake shoes by levering the long retainer springs off of the shoe hooks with a brake tool or screwdriver. Turn the primary spring bolt counterclockwise (located in the center of each shoe). Slide the shoes off, away from the backing plate. The adjustment bolt can also be removed at this time by pulling it free, since it has no shoes to hold it in place.

5

Remove the wheel cylinder if it is leaking, or requires replacement gaskets, by turning the mount screws behind the backing plate and pulling the wheel cylinder piston free of the housing.