Replacing Your Drum Brakes

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.

Type 2:

• Lightly lubricate support plate shoe contact surfaces with suitable brake lube.
• Position leading shoe return spring on shoe, then while holding shoe away from support, engage return spring in support plate and swing shoe end into position under anchor.
• Install parking brake lever on trailing shoe.
• Install trailing shoe return spring on shoe, then while holding shoe away from support, engage return spring in support plate and swing shoe end into position under anchor.
• Spread shoes apart and install adjuster screw assembly. Ensure forked end enters the leading shoe with curved tines facing down.
• Using a suitable pair of pliers, install hold-down springs and shoe to anchor springs.
• Pull back parking brake cable return spring slightly to expose cable, then slide parking brake cable into parking brake lever and release spring.
• Install brake drum and bearings. Refer to individual car chapter for wheel bearing adjustment procedure.
• Adjust brakes.
• Install tire and wheel assembly.
• If any hydraulic connections have been opened, bleed brake system.
• Check master cylinder level, 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 several hundred miles of operation to ensure proper burnishing of linings.

Type 3:

• Lightly lubricate anchor plate shoe contact surfaces with suitable brake lube.
• Assemble automatic adjuster screw assembly, return spring and shoe-to-shoe spring to brake shoe assembly.
• Position lining assembly near anchor plate, then assemble parking brake lever to trailing shoe webbing. Secure with C-clip.
• Install lining assembly onto anchor plate. When positioned, back off adjuster nut to seat brake shoe ends in wheel cylinder.
• Install hold-down springs.
• Position adjuster lever, then using suitable pliers, install adjuster lever spring.
• Install brake drum and bearings.
• Adjust brakes.
• Install tire and wheel assembly.
• If any hydraulic connections have been opened, bleed brake system.
• Check master cylinder 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 several hundred miles of operation to ensure proper burnishing.

Brake Adjustment:

• Remove rubber adjusting hole covers from brake supports.

NOTE: Some adjustment holes are in the backing plate and some are in the drum. Some are pre-cut and others need to be opened. You will see a partially stamped cutout in either the drum or backing plate. To open the hole, use a hammer and chisel to pop out the cutout. When you are done, be sure to install rubber covers to keep water and dirt from entering.

• Release parking brake and back off cable adjustment to slacken cable.
• Step on the brake five or six times to seat the shoes.
• Insert a narrow screwdriver into adjusting nut hole. Move screwdriver handle downward on left side or upward on right side until wheels are locked.
• Back off nut 10 clicks.
• Adjust parking brake
• This job will require a moderate skill level. If you do not feel comfortable doing this job yourself, then I would recommend taking it to a qualified mechanic and have it done. It is not difficult to do, but getting springs and shoes into position can be tricky. Sometimes you'll wish you had three hands while you do this. Be patient and take your time and it will come together.

Start to finish, to do both sides, you can figure on about three hours to do the job. If you take the drums to the parts store to be resurfaced before you start, they will probably be ready by the time you are done.