YACT: Has anyone ever changed drum style brakes?

[tarheelmm]

I have done the rotor style brakes before without a problem. I know the two are very different but I am trying to decide if it is worth doing myself? Has anyone every changed these before? Any ideas on the best way of doing it??

 

[zixxer]

do one side at a time so you can use the other for reference. There are these springs you depress and turn 180 degrees to remove.. go to a parts store and buy the $8 tool for depressing them

 

[Vette73]

A lot harder than disc. Best way to do it is jack up both sides and do one side at a time. If you forget where a spring goes just look at the other side.

 

[Electric Amish]

Yes I've done them.

They're a little daunting once you start, but after you get the hang of it it's not a big deal.

 

[tarheelmm]

Since I have never actaully looked inside of the drum, what parts do I need? I know about the spring tool but what else?

 

[Fatdog]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
A lot harder than disc. Best way to do it is jack up both sides and do one side at a time. If you forget where a spring goes just look at the other side.

Just remember when you look at the other side for reference, it'll be reversed.

A pair of needle nose Vise-Grip pliers work very well for brake jobs. They can grip the springs and spring cup for removal without damaging anything.

 

[Electric Amish]

Originally posted by: tarheelmm
Since I have never actaully looked inside of the drum, what parts do I need? I know about the spring tool but what else?

If everything is fine and normal, just the replacement brake shoes.

Safety glasses, needle nose pliers and vise grips are always useful as well.

 

[tarheelmm]

Cool, thanks for the advice. Ill let you know how it goes!

 

[Linflas]

I used to do them all the time and never had any special tool for the springs. I just used a pair of pliers to grip and turn the spring caps. Don't forget you will need to adjust them once you have them installed and the wheel back on.

 

[tcsenter]

If the car has high miles, I would buy a brake parts kit for your vehicle. It has all new springs and stuff to replace the old ones. I typically use one can of brake cleaner per side, a couple clean shop rags, and some grease or brake assembly lube for the star wheel adjuster and contact points. You may need a little rust penetrating lubricant and a rubber mallet to get the drum off.

When you are refitting the drum over the new shoes, expand the brake adjustment thingy to make sure the fit is tight, then adjust the shoes inward just until the drum turns free (the shoes can even rub ever so slightly).

I couldn't find any really good illustrative sites, but I found this:

Servicing your rear drum brakes

Drum Brake Service