How Do I Change the Rear Drum Brakes on a 1992 Chevrolet Cavalier?
The rear drum brake shoes on a 1992 Chevy Cavalier have many small parts holding them in place. If you have never changed rear brake shoes before, work on one side and leave the other side intact so you will have a reference if you forget where something goes. Work on a solid, level surface so there is no danger of the jack stands wobbling out of place or the car falling off of them.
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Things You'll Need
- Shop rags
- Lug wrench
- Floor jack
- Jack stands
- Drain pan
- Brake return spring tool
- Brake hold-down spring tool
- Brake adjustment spoon
- Brake cleaner solvent
- Replacement brake shoes
- High-temp grease
- Dust mask
Instructions
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Removal
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1
Loosen the lug nuts with a lug wrench, raise the vehicle with a jack and support it on jack stands. Remove the lug nuts, rear wheels and pull off the brake drums. Wear a dust mask to keep from breathing in any brake dust that comes out. Have the run-out checked on the drums, by a local parts store with a brake lathe, to see if the drums need to be resurfaced. Run-out can occur when the parking brake is set while the brake drum is hot, preventing the drum from contracting as it cools and causing the drum to become out-of-round.
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2
Inspect the wheel cylinder to make sure it is not leaking brake fluid. Clean the brake dust off the brake shoes, springs and other components attached to the backing plate with brake cleaner.
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3
Remove the return springs from the anchor pin with a brake spring tool. The return springs connect the shoes to the anchor pin at the top of the backing plate.
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4
Push down on the bottom of the actuator lever and release the tension from the top to remove the actuator link that connects to the anchor pin. Remove the spring from the bottom of the actuator lever.
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5
Remove the hold-down plate, spring and pin on each shoe by compressing the plate/spring assembly with the hold-down spring tool, rotating it until the slot in the plate is lined up with the ears on the pin. Slide the pin through the plate, releasing the pin and allowing it to slide out from the backside of the backing plate. Remove the actuator lever from the brake shoe when the hold-down plate is removed.
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6
Disconnect the parking brake cable from the parking brake lever. Remove the shoes, adjuster and spring as one, then remove the spring and adjuster. Remove the clip from the pin holding the parking brake lever to the shoe.
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7
Clean the backing plate with brake cleaner and wipe it off with a rag. Lube the contact points and anchor pin on the backing plate with high-temp grease.
Installation
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8
Insert the parking brake lever pin through the shoe and the lever and install the clip. Connect the adjuster and spring to the shoes, position the assembly on the backing plate, connect the parking brake cable to the lever and insert the parking brake strut and spring between the shoes.
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9
Install the actuator lever. Insert the hold-down pins through the backing plate and shoes and connect them to the plate/spring assemblies. Install the actuator lever spring then compress it by pushing down on the lever and attach the actuator link from the lever to the anchor pin. Install the brake shoe return springs with the tool.
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10
Turn the adjuster so the drums fit over the shoes, then slide the drums into place and make sure they spin without locking up. Use the brake adjusting spoon to adjust the shoes until they contact the drums.
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11
Replace the wheels and tighten the lug nuts as much as you can with the lug wrench. Lower the vehicle to the ground with the jack and finish tightening the lug nuts with the lug wrench.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Use a drain pan to catch the solvent and brake dust, so you don't make a mess in the work area.
References
- Photo Credit Car Brake image by Joelyn Pullano from Fotolia.com
