Most fashionable vehicles have disc brakes, however many older autos nonetheless function drum brakes on the rear axle. Whereas drum brakes aren’t as highly effective or environment friendly as disc brakes, they’re simpler to keep up and will be simply as efficient for on a regular basis driving. If it’s good to substitute the brake sneakers or restore the wheel cylinder, you will have to take away the drum brake meeting.
Eradicating a drum brake is a comparatively easy activity that may be accomplished in about an hour. Listed here are the steps on do it:
First, you will want to collect a couple of instruments. You may want a lug wrench, a flathead screwdriver, a pair of pliers, and a brake spring software. After you have your instruments, you can begin by loosening the lug nuts on the wheel that you simply’re engaged on. Watch out to not loosen all of them the way in which, or the wheel will fall off!
Gathering Obligatory Instruments and Security Tools
Instruments
To take away a drum brake, you will want the next instruments:
- Lug wrench
- Brake cleaner
- Drum brake puller
- Hammer and chisel
- Security glasses
- Gloves
- Jack and jack stands
Security Tools
When working in your car, you will need to put on acceptable security gear to guard your self from harm. For this activity, you will want:
- Security glasses
- Gloves
Along with the instruments and security tools listed above, you may additionally want a helper to help you in eradicating the drum brake.
Sliding Off the Backing Plate
With the brake meeting loosened up and lifted away from the axle, it is now time to slip the drum off the backing plate. Generally that is simpler stated than executed, as rust and corrosion over time can seize the drum to the backing plate. You need to use a penetrating fluid or lubricant to assist loosen issues up, however watch out to not spray it onto the brake sneakers or pads.
When you’re glad that the drum is unfastened, use a slide hammer or pry bar to fastidiously pry it off the backing plate. Be sure you help the drum together with your different hand to stop it from falling. As soon as the drum is off, examine the backing plate and brake sneakers for any injury or put on and tear. Word: In the event you’re having bother getting the drum off, chances are you’ll have to take away the brake sneakers first. Seek the advice of your car’s service guide for particular directions.
Step-by-Step Directions for Sliding Off the Backing Plate
| Step | Instruction | 
|---|---|
| 1 | Find the cotter pin or break up pin that secures the fort nut to the axle. Take away the cotter pin or break up pin utilizing a pair of pliers. | 
| 2 | Loosen the fort nut by turning it counterclockwise utilizing a socket wrench or wrench. | 
| 3 | Take away the fort nut and washer from the axle. | 
| 4 | Gently raise the brake meeting away from the axle. Watch out to not injury the brake traces or wires. | 
| 5 | Use a slide hammer or pry bar to fastidiously pry the drum off the backing plate. | 
| 6 | Assist the drum together with your different hand to stop it from falling. Examine the backing plate and brake sneakers for any injury or put on and tear. | 
Take away Brake Footwear
Step 1: Hold the Drum Brake Meeting Secure 
All the time guarantee the steadiness of the drum brake meeting earlier than eradicating the brake sneakers. Use a pair of jack stands to supply help and forestall the meeting from rotating or coming aside when eradicating the brake sneakers.
Step 2: Take away the Spring Retainer 
Subsequent, find the spring retainer, which holds the brake sneakers in place, and take away the washer and clip that maintain it. In some autos, you may additionally discover a spring hooked up to the brake shoe.
Disconnect the spring from the shoe with a pair of pliers.
Step 3: Take away the Brake Shoe Maintain-Down Pins 
Now, it’s good to take away the brake shoe hold-down pins. On some autos, the pins are linked with cotter pins, which you’ll be able to simply detach utilizing pliers. In different autos, there could also be springs holding the pins in place. Use needle-nose pliers to take away them whereas being cautious to not injury the springs.
Step 4: Take away the Brake Footwear 
As soon as the hold-down pins are eliminated, you possibly can detach the brake sneakers from the backing plate. To do that, use your fingers or a small pry bar and gently pull the sneakers away from the backing plate. Be cautious to not injury the brake sneakers or the backing plate throughout this course of.
Reconnecting the Brake Line and Wheel
1.Find the brake line becoming on the again of the wheel cylinder.
2. Use a wrench to loosen the brake line becoming. Watch out to not injury the brake line.
3. Pull the brake line off the wheel cylinder.
4. Examine the brake line for any injury. If the brake line is broken, it have to be changed.
5. Apply a small quantity of brake fluid to the top of the brake line.
6. Push the brake line again onto the wheel cylinder.
7. Tighten the brake line becoming utilizing a wrench.
8. Reconnect the brake caliper to the wheel hub.
9. Tighten the brake caliper bolts.
10. Set up the brake rotor onto the wheel hub. Bolt the rotor onto the hubs following the producer’s torque specs.
| Tightening Sequence | Torque | 
|---|---|
| Step 1: Tighten the bolts to 1/3 of the desired torque in a criss-cross sample | N/A | 
| Step 2: Tighten the bolts to 2/3 of the desired torque in a criss-cross sample | N/A | 
| Step 3: Tighten the bolts to the desired torque in a criss-cross sample | Confer with car specs | 
11. Set up the brake caliper over the brake rotor.
12. Safe the brake caliper utilizing the caliper bracket bolts. Once more, observe a star sequence and torque the caliper bracket bolts to the producer’s specs.
13.  Set up the brake pads into the caliper bracket. Ensure the pads are seated correctly.
14. Insert the caliper pins into the caliper bracket and safe them with the cotter pins. 
15. Join the brake line to the brake caliper.
16. Pump the brake pedal a number of instances to take away any air from the brake traces.
17. Verify the brake fluid stage and add fluid as obligatory.
18. Take a look at the brakes to make sure they’re working correctly.
How To Take A Drum Brake Off
Drum brakes are a kind of brake that’s used on many autos, together with vehicles, vehicles, and bikes. They work through the use of a set of brake sneakers to press towards the within of a rotating drum. This creates friction, which slows down or stops the car.
If it’s good to take away a drum brake, you will need to observe the proper process. This may assist to make sure that the brake is eliminated safely and with out damaging any of the parts.
Step-by-Step Directions
1. Collect your instruments. You have to a lug wrench, a jack, a jack stand, a pair of pliers, and a screwdriver.
2. Loosen the lug nuts. Use the lug wrench to loosen the lug nuts on the wheel that you’re engaged on. Don’t take away the lug nuts utterly at this level.
3. Jack up the car. Use the jack to jack up the car. Place the jack stand below the body of the car, subsequent to the wheel that you’re engaged on.
4. Take away the wheel. Take away the lug nuts utterly after which pull the wheel off of the hub.
5. Take away the brake drum. Use the pliers to take away the cotter pin that’s holding the brake drum in place. Then, use the screwdriver to pry the brake drum off of the hub.
6. Examine the brake sneakers. As soon as the brake drum is eliminated, it is possible for you to to see the brake sneakers. Examine the brake sneakers for put on or injury. If the brake sneakers are worn or broken, they’ll have to be changed.
7. Reassemble the brake. If the brake sneakers are in good situation, you possibly can reassemble the brake. To do that, merely reverse the steps that you simply took to take away the brake.
Individuals Additionally Ask
How do I do know if my drum brakes have to be changed?
There are a couple of indicators which will point out that your drum brakes have to be changed. These indicators embrace:
- 
- A lower in braking efficiency
- A grinding noise if you brake
- A pulsation within the brake pedal
- Leaking brake fluid
How a lot does it value to switch drum brakes?
The price of changing drum brakes will differ relying on the make and mannequin of your car, in addition to the labor prices in your space. Nevertheless, you possibly can anticipate to pay between $100 and $300 for an entire brake job.
Can I substitute drum brakes myself?
It’s attainable to switch drum brakes your self, however you will need to have some mechanical expertise earlier than trying this activity. If you’re not comfy working in your car, it’s best to take it to a mechanic.