Things You'll Need:
- Lug wrench
- Floor jack and jack stands
- Wrench
- Strong wire
- Brake cleaner
- Brake pads
- Antisqueal compound
- C-clamp
- Block of wood
- High-temperature brake grease
- Wheel chocks
- Metal-cutting tool
- Pliers
- Screwdrivers
- Drum brake shoes
- Drain pan
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Step 1
Raise the rear end of the car with the jack. Support it on jack stands if possible and remove the rear wheels. It will help to loosen the wheels' lug nuts with the lug wrench before raising the car to make the wheels easier to remove.
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Step 2
Loosen and remove the guide pin bolts for the brake caliper; these can require a standard socket wrench or a large hex wrench, depending on the car. On some models, you might only need to remove the lower bolt and pivot the caliper upward.
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Step 3
Support the caliper--if you completely disconnected it--by hanging it somewhere on the body with a strong wire. Never let the caliper hang by its own hose, as it will stretch out and ruin the hose.
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Step 4
Pull the old brake pads out of the caliper's mounting bracket. You should also remove the shims and clean them with brake cleaner.
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Step 5
Apply an antisqueal compound to the new brake pads' backing plates. Insert the pads into the shims within the bracket.
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Step 6
Compress the caliper's piston into its bore using a C-clamp. On some models, you might need to insert a block of wood in between the clamp and the piston to aid you.
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Step 7
Position the caliper back on the mounting bracket and replace the guide pin bolt(s). Applying high-temperature brake grease to the pins will help.
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Step 8
Place the wheels back on the car and lower it after changing the brake pads for both wheels.
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Step 1
Block the front wheels. This is especially needed when changing brake shoes, because you're dealing with the parking brake. Raise the car's rear end with the jack, insert the jack stands, then remove the wheels by turning their lug nuts with the lug wrench.
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Step 2
Release the parking brake and slip the brake drum off the studs. If it has pressed washers holding it in place, cut them away with a metal-cutting tool; you won't need to replace these washers.
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Step 3
Disconnect the springs from the shoes, using pliers. You should first disconnect the spring on the adjuster level--which is connected to the rear shoe--then separate the retractor spring from both shoes.
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Step 4
Remove the shoes from the assembly, starting with the rear shoe, the adjuster screw assembly and then the front shoe. Disconnect the adjuster level from the old rear shoe.
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Step 5
Lubricate the backing plate on the assembly where it comes into contact with the shoes. Use a high-temperature brake grease. Lubricate the threads and socket end on the adjuster screw assembly as well.
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Step 6
Install the rear shoe on the backing plate, connecting it to the parking brake lever and the retractor spring. Reinstall the adjuster screw assembly with this shoe, along with the adjuster level.
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Step 7
Place the new front shoe on the backing plate, making sure it engages with the adjuster screw assembly. Reconnect the springs to both shoes and the adjuster level exactly as they were installed before; stretch the springs with the pliers.
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Step 8
Reconnect the brake drums and wheels, and lower the car once you've serviced both brake drums. If the drum won't fit back on, turn the star wheel on the adjuster screw until the drum slips on without rubbing against the shoes.
