How to Install Parking Brake Shoes

The automotive parking brake is an independent brake mechanism that acts on the rear wheels of the vehicle. The Department of Transport stipulates that the brake mechanism must be designed so it will operate even if the main braking system fails. Many vehicles that are equipped with rear disc brakes incorporate a mini-drum brake design to act as a parking brake. If this brake is used only when parking then the shoes will often last for the life of the vehicle. From time to time the shoes will fail because of corrosion or a manufacturing defect, or they may wear out because of use. In these situations the vehicle owner can save money by replacing the parking brake shoes themselves.

Instructions

1

Park the vehicle on firm, level ground and securely block the front wheels to prevent accidental vehicle movement. Do not engage the parking brake. Place automatic transmissions in park and manual transmissions in first or reverse gear. Loosen the lug nuts on the two rear wheels about one full turn each and then jack up the rear of the vehicle. Place the vehicle securely on safety supports and then finish removing both rear wheels.

2

Remove the two caliper bolts. Firmly grasp the caliper and rock it back and forth a few times to separate the brake pads a little, then lift the caliper up and off the disc. Hang the caliper in an out of the way location using a bungee cord, wire hook, zip tie, or equal. Usually the suspension spring is a convenient place to hang the caliper. Repeat this step on the other rear wheel.

3

Remove the brake disc. On some models it will pull right off. On other models there may be retaining bolts or screws that must be removed before the disc can be released. If the disc is stubborn, firmly tap the center part of the disc a few times with a plastic or rubber mallet to loosen it. Repeat this step on the other rear wheel. You will not be able to see the emergency brake mechanism on both wheels. Use the assembled mechanism as a visual guide as to how the pieces fit together.

4

Remove the brake shoe return springs. There may be one or two of these springs connecting the two brake shoes. The return springs have hooked ends. To remove them, grab one end of the spring with pliers and pull to unhook it, and then with the spring tension released it is easy to unhook the other end.

5

Remove the hold-down pins on each shoe by depressing the spring and retainer and turning the pin clockwise until it releases. Some pins will require a hex key while others can be turned with a large screwdriver or pliers. On some vehicles spring clips are used to hold the shoes rather than a pin and spring arrangement. If clips are present then depress outside part of the clip, rotate the pin until it releases, and pull the clip out with pliers.

6

Remove the parking brake cable by first removing the retaining clip with pliers and then slipping the cable end from its mount. Remove the self-adjuster mechanism from between the brake shoes, if present. Note that some low-end models do not have self-adjusters, but use a fixed metal strut between the brake shoes to keep them in position. If a strut is present, remove it from between the brake shoes. Pull the brake shoes off the baking plate.

7

Clean all parts thoroughly with brake cleaning fluid and wipe everything down with rags. If a self-adjuster is present, disassemble the mechanism before cleaning and lubricate it well with brake grease before reassembling. Use a wire brush to remove stubborn dirt and deposits from the backing plate and brake components. Catch the used brake fluid in a metal catch pan and dispose of it properly. Work in a well ventilated area and avoid inhaling brake cleaning fluid fumes or brake dust.

8

Lubricate the backing plate with brake grease at the points where the brake shoes contact the plate. Also lubricate the pivot points at the hold-down pins and the pivot points for any operating levers in the brake mechanism.

9

Reassemble the brake with new brake shoes by following the steps in reverse order. Use the assembled brake on the other wheel as a guide. Also inspect the brake springs prior to reassembly and replace any that are damaged or heavily corroded. Adjust the length of the self-adjuster, or position the metal strut so the brake shoes just barely clears the inside of the disc when the disc is remounted. This may take some trial-and-error to get it right.

10

Repeat the process on the other wheel. Remount the wheels and lower the vehicle. Test the brake operation before driving the vehicle normally.