Brake Shoe: Service and Repair

Drum Brake Assembly:

REMOVAL

1. Raise and support rear of vehicle, then remove tire and wheel assembly.
2. Remove brake drum. If brake lining is dragging on brake drum, back off brake adjustment. Refer to individual car chapters for procedure.
3. Using suitable tool, remove hold-down retainers, springs and pins, Fig. 1.
4. Remove brake shoes and adjuster assemblies from backing plate by lifting up and away from wheel cylinder assembly. When removing brake shoe and adjuster assemblies, use care not to bend adjusting lever.
5. Remove parking brake cable from parking brake lever.
6. Remove lower retracting spring, adjuster screw retracting spring and adjuster lever.
7. Separate brake shoes, then remove parking brake lever retaining clip and spring washer and slide lever off parking brake lever pin on the trailing shoe.
8. Clean dirt from brake drum, backing plate and all other components. Do not use compressed air or dry brush to clean brake parts. Many brake parts contain asbestos fibers which, if inhaled, can cause serious injury. Clean brake parts with a water soaked rag or a suitable vacuum cleaner to minimize airborne dust.

INSTALLATION

1. Lightly lubricate backing plate shoe contact surfaces with suitable brake lubrication.
2. Remove brake drum hub grease seal and bearings, then clean and repack bearings and reinstall. Install new grease seal.
3. Assemble parking brake lever to trailing shoe, then install spring washer and retaining clip. Using suitable pliers, crimp retaining clip until securely fastened.
4. Attach parking brake cable to parking brake lever.
5. Assemble lower retracting spring to leading and trailing shoe assemblies, then spread lower part of shoes and install on backing plate.
6. Using suitable tool, install hold-down springs.
7. Tighten adjuster assembly, then back off 1/2 turn. Install adjuster assembly between leading shoe slot and trailing shoe/parking brake lever slot. The adjuster socket end slot must fit into trailing shoe/parking brake lever. Adjuster assemblies are stamped R (right) and L (left). To ensure proper adjuster operation, they must be installed on their respective sides. The letter must be installed in the upright position, facing wheel cylinder to ensure the deeper of the two slots in the adjuster socket fits in the parking brake lever.
8. Install adjuster lever in the parking brake lever groove and into the adjuster socket slot.
9. Using suitable brake spring pliers, install adjusting screw retracting spring from leading shoe slot to adjuster lever notch.
10. Install brake drum.
11. Install tire and wheel assembly.
12. If any hydraulic connections have been opened, perform system brake bleeding procedures.
13. Adjust parking brake. Refer to individual car chapters for procedure.
14. Inspect all hydraulic lines and connection for leakage, and repair as necessary.
15. Check master cylinder fluid level and replenish as necessary.
16. Check brake pedal for proper feel and return.
17. 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 several hundred miles of operation to ensure proper burnishing of linings.