Replacing drum brakes is not difficult. However, this work requires special tools and a little attention. In exchange, you will save a lot on the cost of mechanical services. This article will describe the drum brake replacement process in general, but you should still consult your car's manual.
Step
Step 1. Put on an asbestos mask
The work you will be doing is dealing with brake dust or fine asbestos dust and breathing it in will be very dangerous to your health. Use a mask designed to filter out asbestos. Don't use a regular mask. Keep children and pets away. Do not allow children to be near you while doing this work.
Step 2. Remove the hubcap and loosen the nut
Block the front wheel with a wheel wedge. Raise the car with a jack and support it with a support.
- never ever replace the drum brake on a car that is only supported by a jack. Blocks of wood, bricks and bricks are not a suitable substitute for supporting the car.
- Remove the nut and tire.
Step 3. Spray the hubcap with penetrating oil
Note: WD-40 is not a penetrating oil
Step 4. Grasp the edge of the brake drum and pull it out
Try shaking the brake drum a little to help when you pull out the brake drum. The brake adjuster may need to be reversed to release the drum. This is done through the brake adjustment hole in the drum or on the support plate using a brake adjuster to turn the brake adjuster to allow the brakes to loosen enough to release the drum.
Step 5. Note:
some brake drums are held in place by screws so you have to remove the screws first.
Step 6. Check the drum when it is removed
- The drum must be repaired or replaced if it is scratched.
- Drum brakes have several springs and levers for brake and hand brake adjusters. They usually have a different color. Take photos with a digital camera or make detailed pictures of where all the components are before you disassemble anything.
Step 7. Place the entire brake mechanism in the housing and spray it with brake cleaner
Spraying inside the container will help prevent dust from flying. Keep in mind that the dust from most brakes is asbestos, and you definitely won't want to inhale it. Use a mask.
Step 8. Compare the new brake shoes with the old ones
Make sure the new brake shoes have the holes in the same places. Some vehicles have two different brake shoes, namely the front brake shoe and the rear brake shoe.
Make sure the brake shoes are the same width
Step 9. Disassemble the brakes
- Remove the brake shoe return spring.
- Release the handbrake lever.
- Hold the brake shoe retention pin from behind and release the retaining spring.
- Extend the brake shoe from above and remove the brake shoe from the wheel cylinder pin.
- Remove the brake shoe and adjuster as a unit.
- Place the old brake shoe on the floor next to the new brake shoe.
- Sometimes the front and rear of the brake shoes are different. Brake shoes with shorter lining blades are usually the front.
- Carefully Turn the top of the brake shoe inward to loosen the tension on the adjusting spring.
- Remove the adjuster.
- Check and clean all brake components for reuse and check for signs of damage or wear and replace if necessary.
- It is recommended to replace all springs with new ones.
- The adjuster must be removed, cleaned and lubricated with anti-jamming oil.
- Release the spring and immediately hook the spring onto the new brake shoe just as you removed it.
- Check the brake wheel cylinder for signs of leakage and replace if necessary.
Step 10. Install the new brakes
- Brake support plates should be cleaned and lubricated with a small amount of anti-jamming oil at their sliding and anchor points.
- Install the tuner. One side is a left hand thread.
- Place the adjuster on the new brake shoe and extend the top to tighten the spring.
- Return the brake shoes to their place and insert the retaining pins through the correct holes.
- Install the brake shoe retaining spring.
- Attach the brake shoe to the wheel cylinder pin.
- Replace the handbrake lever.
- Install the return spring.
- Adjust the brake to fit against the brake drum with the brake adjustment gauge.
Step 11. Compare the new brakes with the photos you took earlier
If it looks different, repeat from the beginning.
Step 12. Rearrange everything
- Slide the new or repaired drum over the wheel bumps.
- Install the locking screw on the drum if the drum is already installed.
- Adjust the brakes through the drum or through the support plate until the brake drum feels a little stuck.
- Reinstall the tire.
- Check the brake adjustment and adjust it again until the drum feels a little stuck. Avoid over-tightening the brakes as the brakes may lock.
- Remove the support.
- Lower the jack.
- Reinstall the nut and hubcap.
- Repeat on the other side.
- Remove the brake system if any wheel cylinders are replaced.
- Test the vehicle on the road to see if the brakes are working properly.
Tips
- Avoid working on two sides at the same time. If you're confused, you can look at the side that hasn't been worked on so you can see where you went wrong.
- When buying brake shoes, also buy new springs. Spring prices are relatively cheap and worth buying.
- It is impossible for two different vehicle brands to have the same brakes. Brakes for each vehicle brand can be very different. This article is just general steps based on cars in Indonesia.
- Don't try to change the brakes yourself if you don't have the skills. When you have to read to find out how to remove a wheel, you are an unskilled person.
- Some drum brake systems do not have an adjustment mechanism. Manually tuned systems usually have a square adjuster on the back of the assembly. Rolling this adjuster all the way up may help to get a worn or badly scratched drum on the brake shoe.
Warning
- Do not touch the brake pedal when the brake drum is released. The piston will come out of the wheel cylinder when the brake pedal is touched. As for repairing the pistons is a different topic.
- Never replace the drum brake on a car that is only supported by a jack even in an emergency.
- Avoid breathing brake dust. Particle masks will not be enough because the asbestos particles are too small for ordinary masks.
- Purchase the appropriate tools.
- Don't do brake repair yourself if you don't know what you're doing. Please go to the workshop.
