Cleaning and Inspection

Clean the rear brake shoes and springs with a water-dampened cloth or with a brake cleaner. Do not use a petroleum based product.
Rear brake shoe lining should show contact across the entire width of the lining and also from the heel to the toe of the lining. Replace the shoes if noted otherwise.
Brake shoes with lack of contact at the toe or heel of the brake shoe lining may be improperly ground.






Clean and inspect the brake support plate and shoe adjuster screw. Apply a thin coat of Mopar Multi-Purpose Lubricant or equivalent to the threads of the self-adjuster. Replace the adjuster screw if it is corroded.

NOTE: Adjuster screws are different side-to-side. Left side adjuster screws have left-hand threads and right side adjuster screws have right-handed threads.

If the old brake shoe return or hold down springs have overheated or are damaged, replace them. Overheating indications are paint discoloration or distorted end coils.

WHEEL CYLINDER
With the brake drums removed, inspect the wheel cylinder boots for evidence of a brake fluid leak. Visually check the boots for cuts, tears, or heat cracks. If any of these conditions exist, the wheel cylinders should be completely cleaned, inspected and new parts installed.
If a wheel cylinder is leaking and the brake lining material is saturated with brake fluid, the brake shoes must be replaced.