Common questions

Is it easy to replace drum brakes on a car?

Is it easy to replace drum brakes on a car?

Replacing drum brakes isn’t difficult but it requires special tools and a little caution. In return, you save on hefty auto mechanics bills. This article will describe the general process, but you will still want to consult the manual for your car’s particular make and model.

Do you have to wear asbestos respirator when replacing drum brakes?

Put on an asbestos respirator. The work you’re about to do involves finely-ground brake dust or asbestos dust, and breathing it can be extremely hazardous to your health. Get a mask that’s designed for the job of filtering asbestos, not a simple paper one you might use in a shop. Send the kids and pets away, too.

Is there a self adjusting drum brake system?

Some drum brake systems don’t have a self-adjusting mechanism. Manually adjusted systems usually have a square adjuster at the back of the assembly. Winding this out as far as possible may help to get a badly worn or scored drum over the brake shoes.

How do you remove the drum from a car?

Grab the brake drum by the edges and pull it off. It may help to wiggle it a bit as you pull. It may be necessary to back off the brake adjuster to remove the drum. This is done through the brake adjustment hole in the drum or on the backing plate using a brake adjuster tool to turn the adjuster to loosen the brakes enough to remove the drum.

What is the assembly sequence for a GM drum brake?

Drum brake assembly Assembly sequence for a “typical” GM drum brake 1966 GM half-ton pickup (Delco Shown, Bendix similar) The parts pile, excl. park lever and pushrods. NOTE: colors are random paints I had on hand. Not “color-coded”. Self adjuster (SA arm) group Adjuster wheel group Where it all goes Park brake lever on the cable

What causes rear drum brakes to engage too soon?

If the parking brake system is not de-adjusted properly before the brake shoes are adjusted it will cause the rear brakes to engage too soon. This is especially true of vehicles equipped with duo-servo rear drum brakes (see Figure 61.1).

How do you install a drum brake assembly?

put guide on anchor. place SA arm with pivot on rear shoe with nail, tube washer & straight spring Add actuator link, follow with overide spring from arm to pivot (next pic) Place return spring under SA arm. note placement of pivot and link Press shoes against anchor. Install front shoe return spring to anchor.

Why are my brake shoes square with the drum?

The shoe lands or “bosses” are an often overlooked item when looking for the cause of a rear wheel lockup condition. The shoe lands keep the brake shoes square with the drum and provide a friction surface for the shoes to move against.

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Ruth Doyle