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A brake spring compressor tool and a set of brake spring pliers are all you'll need to remove and replace the brake shoe brake springs.
The two upper return springs on some applications can place a great deal of tension on the shoes. A straight-edge screwdriver, pry tool or a pair of needle nose pliers can also do the job, but they are not as accurate and if misused can cause injury to the hands.
There is a circular inset cup on the end of the brake spring pliers that has both a notch and channel for the brake spring to run along. By placing the the small cup over the spring retaining rivet, the notch captures the edge of the spring and forces it into the channel. Turn the pliers counterclockwise to remove the return spring on the left and clockwise to remove the return spring on the right. Once the springs are removed from the retaining rivet, you can easily unhook the bottom spring retainer from the shoe horn and remove the springs.
The hold-down spring and pin assembly requires the brake spring compressor tool. Hold the pin from behind the backing plate with a finger and place the compressor tool over the cup and spring of the hold down spring. While compressed, turn the spring tool one-half turn to manipulate the slot in the cup and align it with the hold-down notch of the pin. The way you turn the spring cup is irrelevant as long as you align the cup notch to the hold-down pin notch.
Once the upper return springs and hold down springs are removed from the shoes, you can manually remove the lower shoe connector spring. You'll be able to move the shoes closer together by hand to relieve the tension on the lower spring and remove it easily. -
Once all the springs are removed, you'll need to disconnect the parking brake strut and self-adjuster mechanism. This may also incorporate a self-adjuster cable on some applications.
Once the parts are removed and the backing plate is cleaned and lubricated, replacing the shoes and/or springs reverses the removal procedure.
Start by attaching the parking brake to the parking brake shoe. Connect the lower retaining spring by hand and place the attached shoe assembly against the backing plate. Next, install the hold down springs, cup and pin using the brake spring compressor tool. You'll have to compress the spring and align the notches together and then turn the tool enough so the notch of the pin sits in the channel of the cup. This will hold the shoes securely to the backing plate.
On the opposite lower handle of the brake shoe pliers is a wide-curved edge. This is used to wrap the upper return springs around the handle of the pliers and place the edge over the rivet. Once the bottom of the spring is attached to the brake shoe horn, you can lift the pliers upward to stretch the tension onto the spring and allow it to slide down the handle, over the curved edge and onto the brake spring retaining rivet.
