How to Replace Saturn 2000 Rear Drum Brakes

A helpful hint when replacing the rear drum brakes on a 2000 Saturn is to remove both drums and only take apart one side at a time. This way you can use the other side as a reference to look at and help you replace all the components back into position correctly. Another helpful hint is when you initially remove hold down springs and adjusters and such, you lay them down on the ground or out of the way, but facing the same way they were removed. This will help remind you how the components were removed and should be replaced in the same manner. There are a lot of little parts in rear drum brakes of a 2000 Saturn and it's obviously important to replace them correctly.

Instructions

How to Replace Saturn 2000 Rear Drum Brakes

1

Park the 2000 Saturn on a level paved or concrete surface.

2

Place a wheel chock in front of one of the front tires.

3

Break the lug nuts loose on both rear tires with the breaking bar and a socket.

4

Lift one rear quarter panel using the floor jack and place a jack stand under the rear rocker panel. Repeat this step for the other side to elevate the rear axle.

5

Remove the lugs nuts and wheels.

6

Remove the rear drums. If they are stubbornly rusted to the hub, a brisk strike with a hammer on the hub face of the drum should do the trick. Turn the drum 1/4 turn and strike again if needed.

7

Remove the lower return spring and the adjuster spring using the brake spring pliers. It is recommended to lay these springs down facing the way they were removed. If you're replacing the springs and hardware with a new set (highly recommended) you can find the replacement spring in the hardware kit and lay it next to the original hardware until it's time to replace them.

8

Remove the inboard shoe (towards the front of the car) using the brake shoe retaining spring tool. You'll need to place a firm finger on the head of the hold down pin on the backing plate while placing the tool on the retaining cup and spring and turning slightly until the slot in the cup lines up with the flat tip of the hold down pin.

9

Remove the adjuster assembly and lever from the top. Again, lay it down in the same manner it was removed.

10

Remove the inboard shoe from the upper return spring by twisting it inward and unlocking the hook from the hole in the shoe. Match the shoe up to its new replacement. Unhook the other end of the upper return spring from the outboard shoe and lay down respectively.

11

Remove the outboard shoe by pressing on the hold down pin and compressing the retaining spring and cup in the same manner.

12

Disengage the parking brake cable from the end of the lever on the outboard shoe. Remove the shoe, the lever, and the parking brake cable spring.

13

Remove the retainer ring and wave washer and the parking brake lever from the shoe.

14

Return to the adjuster assembly. Disassemble it and clean it with brake clean spray. Lube the threads of the adjuster screw with silicone brake lubricant and make sure the star wheel moves freely. Reassemble the self adjuster assembly.

15

Locate the 6 contact points on the backing plate where the shoe flats come into contact with it. There are three per shoe per side on the backing plate. Wipe the spots clean and apply a coat of silicone brake lubricant to these contact points.

16

Insert the parking brake lever to the new outboard shoe and replace the wave washer and retaining ring.

17

Install the outboard shoe to the backing plate with the hold down pin, retaining spring and cup using the brake shoe retaining spring tool. It's tricky, but perseverance will pay off.

18

Install the inboard shoe to the backing plate in the same manner.

19

Pull back on the inboard shoe enough to insert the adjuster assembly and lever. Manipulate the inboard shoe back in position by hand to hold the adjuster assembly in place.

20

Install the new (or old) return springs and the adjuster spring. Move to the other side and repeat the remove and replace procedure for the shoes and hardware.

21

Spray the new drum(s) with brake clean spray and wipe it clean with a shop rag.

22

Apply the new drum over the shoes. You may have to manipulate both shoes again. If the drum does not fit, turn the star-wheel of the adjuster in far enough until it does. You want a snug fit for the drum over the shoes, but you do not want to have to force the drum on. If the drum fits too loosely onto the shoes, turn the star-wheel outward to extend the shoes apart from one another and snug the fit of the shoes to the drum. You may have to try several times until you've achieved a snug fit for the drum, but never force it on.

23

Replace the wheels and lug nuts and tighten the lug nuts as tight as you can with the wheels elevated with the ratchet and a socket.

24

Lower the Saturn and torque the lug nuts in an alternate fashion using the adjustable torque wrench (set at 100 foot pounds) and a respective socket.

25

Lift and release the parking brake handle about 20 times or so to adjust the rear shoes to the drums. Remove the wheel chock and test drive.