Cleaning and Inspection
CLEANING - DRUM BRAKE SHOESWARNING: DUST AND DIRT ACCUMULATING ON BRAKE PARTS DURING NORMAL USE MAY CONTAIN ASBESTOS FIBERS FROM PRODUCTION OR AFTERMARKET BRAKE LININGS. BREATHING EXCESSIVE CONCENTRATIONS OF ASBESTOS FIBERS CAN CAUSE SERIOUS BODILY HARM. EXERCISE CARE WHEN SERVICING BRAKE PARTS. DO NOT SAND OR GRIND BRAKE LINING UNLESS EQUIPMENT USED IS DESIGNED TO CONTAIN THE DUST RESIDUE. DO NOT CLEAN BRAKE PARTS WITH COMPRESSED AIR OR BY DRY BRUSHING. CLEANING SHOULD BE DONE BY DAMPENING THE BRAKE COMPONENTS WITH A FINE MIST OF WATER, THEN WIPING THE BRAKE COMPONENTS CLEAN WITH A DAMPENED CLOTH. DISPOSE OF CLOTH AND ALL RESIDUE CONTAINING ASBESTOS FIBERS IN AN IMPERMEABLE CONTAINER WITH THE APPROPRIATE LABEL. FOLLOW PRACTICES PRESCRIBED BY THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION (OSHA) AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA)FOR THE HANDLING, PROCESSING, AND DISPOSING OF DUST OR DEBRIS THAT MAY CONTAIN ASBESTOS FIBERS.
INSPECTION - DRUM BRAKE SHOES
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.