On some cars, you’ll encounter a self-adjusting cable, which will also need to be removed before taking off the shoes. To get the shoes out of their place, you’ll first need to remove the springs using your spring pliers, and then free them from the backing plate with the retainer spring tool, compressing the retaining spring and removing the pin from behind the backing plate. Next, it’s time to remove the brake shoes. Take a picture, or only do one side at a time, to make sure that you have a point of reference while you’re going through the process. This will expose exactly what you’re dealing with. (Again, these designs varied vastly by years and by manufacturer, so you’ll want to reference your repair information before jumping in with both feet.) With the bearings out of the way, you should be able to safely remove the drum. Behind the spindle nut should be a washer and a wheel bearing. To start, you’ll need to properly and safely lift and support the vehicle and remove a front wheel, then remove the spindle nut and cotter key. You’ll also need simple tools like a hammer, pliers, and other assorted hand tools to get everything apart. You’ll need a drum brake retainer spring tool and a pair of drum brake spring pliers. Working on drum brakes also requires some special tools to make your life easier. The springs themselves go through heat cycles and become less effective at being springs over time, so it only makes sense to drop a few extra bucks on a new set. The number and style of springs depends on the design of your drum brake system, of which there are effectively three (leading/trailing shoe type, twin leading shoe type and duo-servo type).īefore starting work, purchase the appropriate shoes and hardware for your brake system. The springs also help the brake shoes return to their resting position. Keeping all of this mess together is a backing plate, which the brake shoes are fastened to by a series of springs. On cars equipped with drum brakes, the brake fluid goes into one or two wheel cylinders, which push the brake shoes outward against a brake drum. At that point, disc and drum brake systems operate differently. You’ll also see a brake drum backing plate and a brake shoe adjuster.įunctionally, the system works the same as it would with rotors and calipers: You press a pedal, a piston is pressed in the master cylinder that pushes brake fluid through lines and hoses before reaching wheel cylinders. Unlike disc brakes, drum brake hardware generally comprises a collection of springs and spring retainers. You’ll be dealing with a brake drum, brake shoes, wheel cylinders, and brake hardware. Next, let’s break down the parts you’re likely to see in your drum brake system. First, a distinction: We’re talking about hydraulic drum brakes, not mechanical ones, so keep that in mind.
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