Brake Shoe: Service and Repair

Fig. 1 Drum Brake Assembly:

Fig 2. Lever To Shoe Clearance Check:

REMOVAL
1. Raise and support vehicle.
2. Mark relationship of wheel to axle, then remove wheel and tire assembly.
3. Remove brake drum. If drum is difficult to remove, insert screwdriver through hole in backing plate and hold automatic adjusting lever away from adjusting bolt, then, using a second screwdriver, reduce brake shoe adjustment.
4. Remove return spring, Fig. 1
5. Remove hold-down spring, retainers and pin retaining front shoe.
6. Disconnect anchor spring from front shoe, then remove front shoe.
7. Remove anchor spring.
8. Remove hold-down spring, retainers and pin retaining rear shoe.
9. Using screwdriver, disconnect parking brake cable from anchor plate.
10. Using pliers, disconnect parking brake cable from lever and remove rear shoe together with strut.
11. Remove adjusting lever spring, then the strut together with return spring.
12. Remove parking brake lever and automatic adjusting lever from rear shoe by prying out "C" washer and removing shims and levers.
13. 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. Apply suitable lubricant to backing plate brake shoe contact points, anchor plate brake shoe contact points, strut and adjusting bolt contact points and the strut and brake shoe contact points.
2. Install parking brake lever and automatic adjusting lever to rear shoe as follows:
a. Temporarily install levers and shim with a new "C" washer.
b. Using feeler gauge, measure clearance between shoe and lever, Fig. 2.
c. If clearance is not 0-0138 inch, adjust by installing replacement shim.
d. Using pliers, stake "C washer."
3. Set strut and return spring in place on rear shoe and install adjusting lever spring.
4. Install rear shoe as follows:
a. Using pliers, connect parking brake cable to lever.
b. Pass parking brake cable through notch in anchor plate.
c. Set rear shoe in place with end of shoe inserted in wheel cylinder and other end in anchor plate.
d. Install hold-down spring, retainers and pin.
5. Install front shoe as follows:
a. Install anchor spring between front and rear shoes.
b. Set front shoe in place with end of shoe inserted in wheel cylinder and the strut in place.
c. Install hold-down spring, retainers and pin.
d. Connect return spring.
6. Check operation of automatic adjuster mechanism as follows:
a. Move parking brake lever of rear shoe back and forth and check whether adjusting bolt turns. If bolt does not turn, check brakes for incorrect installation.
b. Adjust strut length to shortest possible distance.
c. Install brake drum.
d. Pull parking brake lever all the way up until a clicking sound can no longer be heard.
7. Check clearance between brake shoes and drum. Remove drum and measure brake drum inside diameter and diameter of brake shoes.
8. If clearance is not 0.024 inch, check parking brake system.
9. Install brake drum and the wheel and tire assembly.
10. Fill master cylinder as necessary and bleed brake system.
11. Check for fluid leakage.