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DIY: Drum Brakes

From Vincent Ciulla, About.com Guide

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DIY: Drum Brakes

Type 1:

Using brake spring pliers or equivalent, remove primary and secondary shoe return springs.
Remove automatic adjuster cable from anchor plate and unhook from adjuster lever.
Remove adjuster cable, overload spring, cable guide and anchor plate.
Unhook adjuster lever spring from lever and remove spring and lever.
Remove shoe-to-shoe spring from secondary shoe web, then the primary shoe.
Spread shoes apart and remove parking brake strut and spring.
Using suitable tool, remove shoe retainers, then the springs and nails.
Disconnect parking brake cable from lever and remove brake shoes.
Remove parking brake lever from secondary shoe.
Clean dirt from brake drum, backing plate and all other components.

NOTE: In many cases the primary shoe material is longer than the secondary shoe material. The longer shoe always goes towards the rear of the car and the short shoe towards the front.

Type 2:

Disconnect parking brake cable from parking brake lever.
Using suitable pliers, remove brake shoe to anchor springs and hold-down springs.
Fully seat adjuster nut, then spread shoes apart and remove adjuster screw assembly.
Raise parking brake lever, then pull trailing shoe away from support to ease return spring tension and disengage spring end from support. Remove trailing shoe.
Pull leading shoe away from support to ease return spring tension and disengage spring end from support. Remove leading shoe.
Remove parking brake lever from trailing shoe.
Clean dirt from brake drum, support plate and all other components.

Type 3:

Using suitable pliers, remove adjuster lever spring.
Remove adjuster lever.
Turn automatic adjuster screw out to expand shoes past wheel cylinder boot.
Using suitable tool, remove hold-down springs.
Pull brake shoe assembly down and away from anchor plate.
Remove C-clip retaining parking brake lever to trailing brake shoe webbing.
Disassemble shoe assembly.
Clean dirt from brake drum, anchor plate and all other components.

Installation:

Type 1:

Lubricate parking brake lever fulcrum with suitable brake lube, then attach lever to secondary brake shoe. Ensure that the lever operates smoothly.
Lightly lubricate backing plate shoe contact surfaces with suitable brake lube.
Connect parking brake lever to cable and slide secondary brake shoe into position.
Connect wheel cylinder link to brake shoe (if equipped).
Slide parking brake lever strut behind axle flange and into parking brake lever slot, then place parking brake anti-rattle spring over strut.
Position primary brake shoe on backing plate and connect wheel cylinder link (if equipped) and parking brake strut.
Install anchor plate and position adjuster cable eye over anchor pin.
Install primary shoe return spring using brake spring pliers or equivalent.
Place protruding hole rim of cable guide in secondary shoe web hole, then holding guide in position, install secondary shoe return spring through cable guide and secondary shoe. Install spring on anchor pin using brake spring pliers or equivalent.

NOTE: Ensure cable guide remains flat against secondary shoe web during and after return spring installation. Also ensure secondary spring end overlaps primary spring end on anchor pin.

Using suitable pliers, squeeze spring ends around anchor pin until parallel.
Install adjuster screw assembly between primary and secondary brake shoes with star wheel on secondary shoe side.

NOTE: The left side adjuster assembly stud is stamped "L" and the right side is stamped "R". Be sure you don't mix them up or your brakes will not self-adjust.

Install shoe-to-shoe spring, then position adjusting lever spring over pivot pin on shoe web.
Install adjusting lever under spring and over pivot pin, then slide lever slightly rearward.
Install nails, springs and retainers.
Thread adjuster cable over guide and hook end of overload spring in lever. Ensure eye of cable is pulled tight against anchor and in a straight line with guide.
Install brake drum, tire and wheel assembly.
Adjust brakes.
If any hydraulic connections have been opened, bleed brake system.
Check master cylinder fluid level, and replenish as necessary.
Check brake pedal for proper feel and return.
Lower vehicle and road test. Do not severely apply brakes immediately after installation of new brake linings or permanent damage may occur to linings, and/or brake drums may become scored. Brakes must be used moderately during first few hundred miles of operation to ensure proper burnishing of linings.