How to Replace Rear Brakes on a 1986 Chevy 1/2 Ton Pickup
A ½-ton Chevy pickup truck is considered a light-duty truck. The rear brakes on the truck will last much longer than the front brakes, but they will wear out, and you need to replace them periodically, regardless of which type of brake shoes you use. How often you will need to replace them depends on the way you use your truck. For example, someone who pulls a trailer or has the bed of the truck loaded often will find themselves replacing the brakes more than someone who just drives the truck around.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Automobile jack
- Jack stand
- Wheel chocks
- Metric socket set
- Pliers
- Brake tool
- Rubber mallet
- Lug wrench
Instructions
-
-
1
Raise the truck on the side you will be working on with an automobile jack. Position a jack stand under the truck near the jacking point and raise it up to the frame of the truck.
-
2
Use a lug wrench to remove the wheel. Remove the nuts from the parking brake equalizer bracket with a wrench and release the tension.
-
-
3
Remove the brake drum. If it doesn't come right off, hit it several times with a rubber mallet to break it free.
-
4
Pry off the brake shoe springs from the holder with a brake tool. Remove the spring from the self-adjuster by unhooking it with a pair of pliers and pulling it off. Pull the spring out of the actuator pin.
-
5
Use the pliers to depress the retaining pins holding the brake shoes in place, turning them ¼-turn until they come free.
-
6
Remove the brake adjuster actuator lever by detaching the pin securing it to the secondary brake shoe.
-
7
Take out the brake shoes from the backing plate. Make sure that you hold onto the bottom of the assembly tightly because the spring has pressure on it and it will spring out.
-
8
Remove the parking brake lever with the pliers, pulling back on the spring while unhooking it from the shoe bracket.
-
9
Clean the dirt off the backing plate and brake drum with a rag. Inspect the brake drum for damage. If there is damage, you will need to have it machined smooth or replace it. Inspect the brake cylinders for signs of leakage. If it is leaking, you will need to replace it as well.
-
10
Install the parking brake lever, using the pliers to clip it to the secondary brake shoe. Install the shoes on the truck with the pliers, rotating the retainers ¼-turn until they lock into place. Install the brake shoe guide.
-
11
Place the actuator lever and return spring onto the brake assembly. Then install the actuating link and actuating pin.
-
12
Mount the springs onto the brake shoes, using the pliers to pull them into place. Replace the drum then remount the wheel on the truck. Remove the jack stand and lower the truck back to the ground.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Wear safety glasses or goggles, when working on the brakes on your truck, to prevent eye injuries.
Brake linings may contain asbestos. Use proper care when working with them and wash your hands thoroughly. Never sand or grind the brake shoe linings.
References
- Photo Credit Car Brake image by Joelyn Pullano from Fotolia.com
