Changing worn or broken drum brakes is a vital job for sustaining optimum car efficiency and security. Whereas the method could appear daunting, it may be simplified right into a sequence of manageable steps. This information will present a complete walkthrough on find out how to take away drum brakes, empowering you to sort out this job with confidence and effectivity.
Earlier than embarking on the removing course of, it’s crucial to collect the required instruments and supplies. These embody lug wrenches, a jack and jack stands, a screwdriver, a hammer, and gloves. Moreover, a brake cleaner, anti-seize lubricant, and new brake footwear must be acquired. Making certain you’ve all the required tools will forestall delays and guarantee a clean removing course of.
To start, the car must be safely parked on a stage floor and the parking brake engaged. Utilizing a lug wrench, loosen the lug nuts on the wheel that corresponds to the drum brake you plan to take away. Keep in mind, don’t take away the lug nuts solely at this stage. Subsequent, use a jack to boost the car, guaranteeing it’s securely supported by jack stands. Lastly, take away the lug nuts and detach the wheel from the car. With the wheel eliminated, you possibly can proceed to take away the drum brake.
Security Precautions
Working in your drum brakes could be a harmful job if correct security precautions should not taken. These precautions embody:
- All the time park your car on a flat, steady floor. If potential, park it in a storage or different enclosed space to guard your self from the weather.
- Set the parking brake and chock the wheels. It will forestall the car from rolling while you’re engaged on it.
- Put on security glasses and gloves. It will defend your eyes and fingers from flying particles.
- Use a torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts. It will be certain that the lug nuts are correctly tightened and that the wheels are securely hooked up to the car.
- By no means take away the drum brake footwear with the car nonetheless on the bottom. This might trigger the brake footwear to fall out and injure you.
- Pay attention to the brake fluid. Brake fluid is poisonous and might trigger pores and skin irritation. Keep away from contact with brake fluid, and when you do come into contact with it, wash it off instantly with cleaning soap and water.
| Security Precautions |
|---|
| Park your car on a flat, steady floor. |
| Set the parking brake and chock the wheels. |
| Put on security glasses and gloves. |
| Use a torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts. |
| By no means take away the drum brake footwear with the car nonetheless on the bottom. |
| Pay attention to the brake fluid. |
Preparation and Device Gathering
Earlier than trying to take away drum brakes, guarantee you’ve a secure and clutter-free workspace. Collect the required instruments and supplies listed under:
Instruments and Supplies Required:
| Merchandise | Description |
|---|---|
| Lug wrench | For loosening and tightening lug nuts |
| Drum brake software | Specialised software for eradicating drum brakes |
| C-clamp | For holding the brake footwear in place |
| Hammer | For loosening frozen elements |
| Penetrating oil | For lubricating rusty elements |
| Wire brush | For cleansing brake elements |
| Security glasses | For eye safety |
| Gloves | For hand safety |
Moreover, make sure you confer with your car’s particular restore handbook for any extra tips or security precautions associated to eradicating drum brakes.
Eradicating the Drums
To take away the drum brake drums, observe these steps:
1. Help the wheel you’re engaged on with a jack stand.
2. Take away the lug nuts and wheel.
3. Find the brake drum retaining screws and take away them. There’ll sometimes be two or 4 screws, situated across the perimeter of the drum. They might be coated by a rubber plug, which you will have to take away first.
[Detailed steps for removing the brake drum retaining screws:]
- Use a flathead screwdriver to fastidiously pry the rubber plug out of the opening within the drum.
- Insert a Phillips head screwdriver or socket wrench into the screw and switch it counterclockwise to loosen it.
- As soon as the screw is unfastened, take away it by hand.
- Repeat this course of for the remaining screws.
4. As soon as the retaining screws are eliminated, the drum will be pulled off the axle. It might be obligatory to make use of a pry bar or hammer to assist break it unfastened.
5. Examine the drum for any indicators of wear and tear or harm. If the drum is broken, it must be changed.
Disconnecting the Brake Traces
Earlier than you disconnect the brake strains, it is vital to take precautions to stop brake fluid from leaking. Place a drain pan underneath the brake strains and canopy any uncovered elements with rags or paper towels. You may additionally wish to put on gloves to guard your fingers from brake fluid.
When you’re prepared, use a flare nut wrench or line wrench to loosen the brake line fittings. Watch out to not overtighten the fittings, as this will harm the strains. As soon as the fittings are unfastened, you possibly can fastidiously disconnect the brake strains from the wheel cylinders.
In the event you’re having hassle disconnecting the brake strains, you possibly can strive utilizing penetrating oil to loosen the fittings. Apply the penetrating oil to the fittings and let it sit for a couple of minutes earlier than attempting to loosen them. You may additionally want to make use of a pair of pliers that can assist you break the fittings unfastened.
As soon as the brake strains are disconnected, you possibly can take away the drum brakes. Watch out to not harm the brake footwear or different elements if you’re eradicating the drum brakes.
| Brake Line Measurement | Flare Nut Measurement |
|---|---|
| 1/4 inch | 10 mm |
| 5/16 inch | 12 mm |
| 3/8 inch | 14 mm |
Eradicating the Brake Footwear and Springs
To take away the brake footwear and is derived, you may want a number of instruments:
- Jack stands
- Lug wrench
- 10mm socket wrench
- Phillips head screwdriver
- Brake cleaner
After you have your instruments, observe these steps:
- Park your automobile on a stage floor and have interaction the parking brake.
- Loosen the lug nuts on the wheel you may be engaged on, however do not take away them fully.
- Jack up the automobile and safe it on jack stands.
- Take away the lug nuts and take off the wheel.
- Find the 2 brake footwear and the springs that maintain them in place. The springs shall be hooked up to the backing plate and the brake footwear.
There are two forms of springs that maintain the brake footwear in place:
Kind of Spring Location Maintain-down springs Connect the brake footwear to the backing plate Return springs Pull the brake footwear again away from the drum when the brake pedal is launched To take away the brake footwear, you may have to first take away the hold-down springs. Use a screwdriver to pry the springs off the backing plate.
As soon as the hold-down springs are eliminated, you possibly can take away the brake footwear. Pull the brake footwear straight again till they arrive off the backing plate. Chances are you’ll want to make use of a bit of power to get them off.
As soon as the brake footwear are eliminated, you possibly can take away the return springs. Use a screwdriver to pry the springs off the backing plate.
With the brake footwear and is derived eliminated, now you can examine them for put on and tear. If the brake footwear are worn down, they are going to have to be changed. If the springs are broken, they can even have to be changed.
Reattaching the Brake Footwear and Springs
To reattach the brake footwear and is derived, observe these steps:
1. Hook the Return Spring
Find the return spring that holds the highest finish of the brake footwear collectively. Hook the spring onto the highest of the brake shoe, guaranteeing it’s securely in place.
2. Place the Brake Footwear
Place the brake footwear over the wheel cylinder pistons and align the brake lining with the brake drum. Push the footwear into place, guaranteeing they’re totally engaged with the wheel cylinder.
3. Set up the Maintain-Down Springs
Take the hold-down springs and find the slots on the backing plate. Insert the springs into the slots and hook them onto the brake footwear. Maintain the springs in place and tighten them utilizing a socket wrench.
4. Set up the Adjuster Spring
Find the adjuster spring and the adjuster lever on the backing plate. Hook the spring onto the lever and pull it in direction of the highest of the brake shoe. Tighten the spring utilizing a socket wrench.
5. Set up the Actuator Rod
Join the actuator rod to the parking brake lever on the backing plate. Make sure the rod is securely fixed and might transfer freely.
6. Adjusting the Brake Footwear
Utilizing a flathead screwdriver, regulate the star wheel on the adjuster lever. Flip the wheel clockwise to tighten the footwear and counterclockwise to loosen them. Modify the footwear till they make slight contact with the brake drum. This step is essential to make sure correct brake engagement and to stop dragging or squealing.
Adjustment Information Tighten footwear till they flippantly drag on the drum, then again off 1/4 flip.
Reconnecting the Brake Traces
As soon as the brand new drum brakes have been put in, the brake strains have to be reconnected. This can be a comparatively easy course of, however you will need to take your time and make it possible for the strains are related accurately. Listed here are the steps concerned:
1. Clear the brake strains
Earlier than you join the brake strains, you will need to clear them to take away any filth or particles. You are able to do this with a brake cleaner or with some rubbing alcohol.
2. Set up the brake line fittings
The subsequent step is to put in the brake line fittings. These fittings will join the brake strains to the brake calipers.
3. Tighten the brake line fittings
As soon as the brake line fittings are put in, it’s worthwhile to tighten them. You are able to do this with a wrench or a pair of pliers.
4. Bleed the brakes
After the brake strains are related, it’s worthwhile to bleed the brakes. It will take away any air from the brake strains.
5. Examine for leaks
As soon as the brakes are bled, it’s worthwhile to examine for leaks. You are able to do this by making use of strain to the brake pedal and in search of any leaks.
6. Take a look at the brakes
The ultimate step is to check the brakes. You are able to do this by driving the automobile and making use of the brakes. Make it possible for the brakes work correctly earlier than you drive the automobile on the highway.
7. Brake Line Security Ideas
Listed here are some extra suggestions for safely reconnecting brake strains:
– All the time use new brake strains when changing previous ones.
– Make it possible for the brake strains are the right measurement to your automobile.
– Use a torque wrench to tighten the brake line fittings to the right specification.
– Bleed the brakes totally to take away any air from the system.
– Examine for leaks and take a look at the brakes earlier than driving the automobile.Reinstalling the Drums
Begin by flippantly coating the within of the drum with a high-temperature brake grease. It will assist forestall the footwear from squeaking and also will assist to lengthen the lifetime of the brakes. Subsequent, fastidiously place the drum over the footwear, ensuring that the footwear match snugly into the drum. As soon as the drum is in place, use the lug nuts to tighten the drum onto the wheel hub. Remember to tighten the lug nuts evenly, as overtightening can harm the drum or the wheel hub.
As soon as the drum is tight, you possibly can reinstall the brake line. Join the brake line to the brake cylinder on the again of the brake drum. Tighten the brake line becoming, however don’t overtighten it. As soon as the brake line is related, you possibly can bleed the brakes to take away any air from the system.
Adjusting the Brakes
Earlier than driving the car, you will have to regulate the brakes. To do that, pump the brake pedal a number of occasions till it feels agency. Then, loosen the brake adjuster nut on the again of the brake drum. Flip the adjuster nut till you are feeling a slight drag on the brake footwear if you rotate the drum by hand. After you have adjusted the brakes, tighten the brake adjuster nut.
Testing the Brakes
Earlier than driving the car, take a look at the brakes to verify they’re working correctly. To do that, drive the car in a secure space and apply the brakes firmly. The car ought to come to a clean, managed cease. If the car doesn’t cease easily, or if the brakes really feel spongy, you will have to regulate the brakes additional.
Drum Brake Adjustment Desk
Symptom Adjustment Brakes are too unfastened Tighten the brake adjuster nut Brakes are too tight Loosen the brake adjuster nut Brakes are grabbing Modify the brake footwear in order that they’re centered within the drum Brakes are squealing Apply a high-temperature brake grease to the within of the drum Bleed the Brake System
Bleeding the brake system ensures that each one air has been faraway from the system for correct brake operation. After finishing brake repairs, bleeding the brakes is a vital step to revive full braking capabilities.
Supplies Required:
Device Function Bleeder wrench Unscrews the bleeder screw Clear plastic tubing Connects to the bleeder screw to gather brake fluid Bottle or jar Holds the brake fluid Steps:
- Fill the brake fluid reservoir with recent brake fluid.
- Find the bleeder screw on every wheel cylinder.
- Connect one finish of the plastic tubing to the bleeder screw.
- Submerge the opposite finish of the tubing in a bottle or jar stuffed with a small quantity of brake fluid.
- Have an assistant slowly press down on the brake pedal and launch it.
- Whereas your assistant is holding the pedal down, slowly open the bleeder screw.
- Shut the bleeder screw as soon as a gradual stream of brake fluid is flowing by way of the tubing.
- Repeat the method for every wheel cylinder, following the right brake bleeding sequence laid out in your car’s restore handbook.
- Non-obligatory (for superior customers): Use a vacuum-assisted bleeder software or a strain bleeder to evacuate air extra effectively from the system. These instruments create a suction or power brake fluid by way of the system, lowering the necessity for handbook pumping. Seek advice from the producer’s directions for particular operation particulars.
Last Inspection and Street Testing
1. Examine Brake Traces and Hoses
After reconnecting the brake strains, totally examine them for any leaks or harm. Rigorously study the connections and tighten any unfastened fittings.
2. High Up Brake Fluid
Examine the brake fluid stage and high up if obligatory. Guarantee it reaches the right stage indicated on the grasp cylinder reservoir.
3. Examine Brake Pedal Really feel
Pump the brake pedal a number of occasions to construct up strain within the system. The pedal ought to really feel agency, with minimal sponginess or journey.
4. Take a look at Brake Lights
Activate the brake pedal and be certain that the brake lights perform correctly. If they don’t illuminate, troubleshoot {the electrical} connections.
5. Examine Brake Efficiency
Take the car for a brief take a look at drive and thoroughly assess brake efficiency. The brakes ought to have interaction easily, with none pulling or vibration. If any points come up, repeat the inspection course of or search skilled help.
6. Street Take a look at
Conduct an intensive highway take a look at to judge the general braking efficiency. Carry out arduous braking, emergency stops, and gradual stops to evaluate pedal really feel, stopping distance, and any potential points.
7. Monitor Brake Temperature
Through the highway take a look at, monitor brake temperature utilizing an infrared thermometer. Extreme warmth buildup can point out points with the brake system, akin to binding or dragging.
8. Examine Wheel Alignment
If the brake work concerned eradicating the wheels, be certain that the wheel alignment is checked and adjusted if obligatory. Misalignment can have an effect on brake efficiency and tire put on.
9. Examine Brake Pads and Drums
After a number of days of driving, visually examine the brake pads and drums to make sure correct put on and make contact with. If there’s uneven put on or extreme put on, additional adjustment or alternative could also be required.
10. Observe-Up Checks and Upkeep
Repeatedly monitor the brake fluid stage, examine for leaks, and hear for any uncommon noises or vibrations throughout braking. Schedule periodic brake inspections and upkeep to make sure optimum efficiency and security.
How To Take away Drum Brakes
Supplies wanted:
- Jack or raise
- Jack stands
- Lug wrench
- Duralast brake drum puller (or related)
- Hammer
- Flathead screwdriver
- Security glasses
Directions:
- Park the car on a stage floor and have interaction the parking brake.
- Loosen the lug nuts on the wheel that you’re engaged on, however don’t take away them fully.
- Elevate the car utilizing a jack or raise and assist it with jack stands.
- Take away the lug nuts and take off the wheel.
- Find the brake drum and examine it for any harm.
- If the brake drum is broken, it should have to be changed.
- To take away the brake drum, use a duralast brake drum puller (or related) to drag it off the axle.
- If the brake drum is caught, you possibly can faucet it with a hammer to loosen it.
- As soon as the brake drum is eliminated, you will have to take away the brake footwear.
- To take away the brake footwear, use a flathead screwdriver to pry them off the brake backing plate.
- As soon as the brake footwear are eliminated, you possibly can take away the brake {hardware}.
- To take away the brake {hardware}, use a wrench to loosen the nuts that maintain it in place.
- As soon as the brake {hardware} is eliminated, you possibly can take away the brake drum meeting from the car.
Individuals Additionally Ask About How To Take away Drum Brakes
1. What are among the indicators that my drum brakes have to be changed?
A number of the indicators that your drum brakes have to be changed embody:
- Squealing or grinding noises when braking
- A pulsation within the brake pedal
- The brake pedal feels delicate or spongy
- The car pulls to 1 facet when braking
2. How typically ought to I’ve my drum brakes inspected?
It’s best to have your drum brakes inspected a minimum of every year, or extra typically when you drive in stop-and-go site visitors or in hilly areas.
3. Can I change my drum brakes myself?
Sure, you possibly can change your drum brakes your self you probably have the right instruments and expertise.
