Drum brakes are a standard sort of brake discovered on vehicles and different autos. They encompass a rotating drum that’s connected to the wheel, and a set of brake sneakers that press in opposition to the within of the drum to gradual or cease the car.
There are occasions when it could be essential to take away a drum brake, corresponding to when changing the brake sneakers or repairing the drum itself. Eradicating a drum brake could be a comparatively easy job, however you will need to comply with the proper steps to keep away from damaging the brake elements. On this article, we’ll present a step-by-step information on take away a drum brake safely and successfully.
Earlier than starting, you will need to collect the mandatory instruments and supplies. You will want a lug wrench, a jack, a jack stand, a hammer, a screwdriver, and a pair of pliers. After getting gathered your instruments, you may start the method of eradicating the drum brake.
Security Precautions
Earlier than you start working in your drum brakes, it is essential to take some security precautions to guard your self and your car.
First, guarantee that your car is parked on a degree floor and that the parking brake is engaged. It will assist to forestall your car from rolling if you are engaged on it.
Subsequent, you may want to assemble the mandatory instruments for the job. This features a socket wrench, a torque wrench, a flathead screwdriver, and a hammer. After getting your entire instruments, you may start the method of eradicating the drum brakes.
It is also essential to put on security glasses and gloves when working in your brakes. It will assist to guard you from brake mud and different hazardous supplies.
Extra Security Ideas
- By no means work in your brakes whereas the car is working
- All the time use the correct instruments for the job
- If you’re not comfy working in your brakes, it’s best to take your car to a mechanic
By following these security precautions, you may assist to make sure that you’ve got a protected and profitable expertise when eradicating your drum brakes.
| Software | Description |
|---|---|
| Socket wrench | Used to take away the lug nuts and bolts that maintain the drum in place |
| Torque wrench | Used to tighten the lug nuts and bolts to the correct torque |
| Flathead screwdriver | Used to pry the brake sneakers away from the drum |
| Hammer | Used to faucet the brake drum unfastened whether it is caught |
Supplies Required
1. Security Glasses
2. Jack Stands
3. Lug Wrench
4. Brake Cleaner
5. Brake Line Wrench
6. Drum Brake Software
7. Gloves
8. Torque Wrench
Disconnecting the Brake Strains and Eradicating the Drums
As soon as the wheel is eliminated, you will want to disconnect the brake line. To do that, use a brake line wrench to loosen the brake line from the wheel cylinder. As soon as the brake line is disconnected, you may take away the brake drum.
To take away the brake drum, insert the drum brake instrument into the slot on the again of the brake drum. Flip the drum brake instrument clockwise to take away the brake drum from the axle.
| Security Precautions |
|---|
| -All the time put on security glasses when working in your car. -Use jack stands to help the car if you are engaged on it. -By no means work on a car that’s supported solely by a jack. -Watch out to not injury the brake traces if you end up disconnecting them. -All the time torque the lug nuts to the correct specs if you end up reassembling the wheel. -By no means drive a car with a brake system that’s not working correctly. |
Eradicating the Wheel
1. Park the car on a degree floor and have interaction the parking brake.
2. Loosen the lug nuts on the wheel you might be eradicating, however don’t take away them fully.
3. Increase the car utilizing a jack and place a jack stand underneath the body for security.
4. Take away the lug nuts and pull the wheel straight off the axle.
Eradicating the Drum
1. Take away the cotter pin from the fort nut on the spindle.
2. Use a socket wrench to loosen the fort nut, however don’t take away it fully.
3. Grip the brake drum with each palms and pull it straight off the spindle. The drum could also be caught, so chances are you’ll want to make use of a rubber mallet to softly faucet it unfastened.
| Drum Brake Sorts | Removing Technique |
|---|---|
| Main-shoe sort | Pull the drum straight off the spindle. |
| Trailing-shoe sort | Rotate the drum barely till the brake sneakers clear the backing plate, then pull the drum straight off the spindle. |
Inspecting the Brake Drum
1. As soon as the drum is eliminated, examine it for any indicators of wear and tear or injury.
2. Verify the within of the drum for any scoring or grooving.
3. Verify the brake sneakers for any indicators of wear and tear or contamination.
4. If any of the elements are worn or broken, they need to get replaced.
Eradicating the Drum Brake Adjuster
Step 5: Take away the adjuster screw(s)
The adjuster screw(s) are usually situated on the again of the brake plate and are used to regulate the brake sneakers. To take away the adjuster screw(s), you will want to make use of a flathead screwdriver or a brake adjuster instrument.
For single-adjuster brakes:
| Description | Removel Directions |
|---|---|
| Star wheel adjuster | Push the adjusting lever away from the brake backing plate and take away the star wheel utilizing a flathead screwdriver. |
| Eccentric adjuster | Flip the adjusting nut counterclockwise utilizing a brake spoon wrench or a flathead screwdriver. |
For self-adjusting brakes:
Self-adjusting brake adjusters don’t have screws that have to be eliminated. As a substitute, they work mechanically to regulate the brake sneakers as they put on.
Disassembling the Backing Plate
With the drum and hub meeting eliminated, now you can disassemble the backing plate.
This is a step-by-step information:
- Begin by eradicating the brake sneakers. They’re usually held in place by springs or clips. Use a screwdriver or pliers to rigorously take away them.
- Subsequent, take away the wheel cylinder. It’s normally bolted to the backing plate. Use a wrench to loosen the bolts and punctiliously take away the wheel cylinder.
- Now, take away the parking brake cable. It’s normally connected to the backing plate with a bracket or clip. Use a wrench or pliers to rigorously take away the bracket or clip and disconnect the cable.
- Subsequent, take away the axle shaft. It’s held in place by a nut or bolt. Use a wrench to loosen the nut or bolt and punctiliously take away the axle shaft.
- Lastly, take away the backing plate. It’s normally bolted to the axle housing. Use a wrench to loosen the bolts and punctiliously take away the backing plate.
- Examine the backing plate for any indicators of wear and tear, injury or corrosion. Verify the flange the place it mates with the axle housing. If the flange is worn or broken, it could have to be changed. Additionally, search for any cracks or bends within the backing plate. If the backing plate is cracked or bent, it’ll have to be changed.
Earlier than reassembling the drum brake system, you will need to clear and examine all the elements. It will assist to make sure that the system is working correctly and safely.
Eradicating the Drum Brake Sneakers
Step 7: Unhooking the Spring Stress
As soon as the cotter pins are eliminated, you may have to rigorously disengage the springs that maintain the sneakers in place. There are usually two forms of springs: hold-down springs and return springs.
To launch the hold-down springs, use a flathead screwdriver to pry the loops of the spring away from the brake sneakers. Be cautious to not injury the springs or the sneakers.
The return springs connect to the brake sneakers and the backing plate. To disconnect them, merely use a pair of pliers to squeeze the spring loops and launch them from the hooks or pins on the backing plate.
Keep in mind, the strain of the springs can nonetheless trigger the sneakers to leap when launched, so take further care. As soon as the springs are unhooked, you may gently pull the brake sneakers away from the backing plate and take away them.
| Kind of Spring | Motion |
|---|---|
| Maintain-Down Spring | Retains brake sneakers involved with drum |
| Return Spring | Returns brake sneakers to their resting place |
Brake Adjustment
When you’re experiencing any points together with your drum brakes, it is essential to regulate them correctly. This is a step-by-step information on do it:
1. Park the car on a degree floor: Make sure the parking brake is engaged.
2. Find the brake adjuster: The brake adjuster is often situated on the again of the brake backing plate.
3. Insert a flat-head screwdriver into the adjuster slot: Flip the adjuster clockwise to tighten the brakes or counterclockwise to loosen them.
4. Regulate the brakes till there’s a slight drag when the wheel is turned by hand: The wheel shouldn’t lock up.
5. Verify the brake fluid degree: If it is low, high it up.
6. Take a look at the brakes: Drive the car at a low pace and apply the brakes gently. They need to really feel agency and responsive.
7. Re-check the brake adjustment and fluid degree: After driving for a brief distance, re-check the brake adjustment and fluid degree to make sure all the pieces is working accurately.
Wheel Cylinder Inspection
When you discover any leaks or injury to the wheel cylinder, it’ll have to be changed. This is examine the wheel cylinder:
| Verify | Steps |
|---|---|
| Leaks | Look at the wheel cylinder for any indicators of fluid leaks or stains. |
| Injury | Examine the wheel cylinder for any cracks, dents, or different injury. |
| Seals | Verify the rubber seals on the wheel cylinder for any indicators of wear and tear or injury. |
When you discover any points with the wheel cylinder, it is beneficial to exchange it to make sure correct brake performance.
Last Inspection
After getting reassembled the brake elements, it is essential to conduct a closing inspection to make sure correct performance and security. Listed here are the important thing steps concerned within the closing inspection:
10. Complete Visible Inspection
Totally examine your complete brake meeting for any unfastened or incorrectly put in elements. Be certain that all bolts, nuts, and screws are correctly tightened and safe. Verify for any indicators of harm or put on on the brake sneakers, drums, or different elements. When you discover any points, deal with them promptly.
| Merchandise | Inspection Standards |
|---|---|
| Brake sneakers | Examine for put on, cracks, or contamination |
| Brake drums | Verify for scoring, put on, or overheating |
| Springs and clips | Guarantee correct stress and safe attachment |
| Wheel cylinders | Search for leaks or injury to the housing |
The right way to Take a Drum Brake Off
Drum brakes are a kind of automotive brake that makes use of a rotating drum to use friction to a stationary brake shoe, slowing or stopping the car. Drum brakes are usually much less efficient than disc brakes, however they’re additionally inexpensive and simpler to take care of. If it’s essential to take a drum brake off, comply with these steps:
- Park the car on a degree floor and have interaction the parking brake.
- Loosen the lug nuts on the wheel that you can be engaged on, however don’t take away them.
- Jack up the car and help it with jack stands.
- Take away the lug nuts and take off the wheel.
- Take away the cotter pin from the fort nut on the brake drum.
- Loosen the fort nut, however don’t take away it.
- Use a drum brake puller to drag the brake drum off of the axle.
- As soon as the brake drum is off, you may disconnect the brake line from the wheel cylinder.
- Take away the brake sneakers from the backing plate.
- Examine the brake sneakers and exchange them if needed.
- Reassemble the brake in reverse order.
Individuals Additionally Ask
How do I do know if my drum brakes have to be changed?
There are just a few indicators that your drum brakes could have to be changed, together with:
- Squealing or grinding noises whenever you brake
- A lower in braking energy
- A pulsating feeling within the brake pedal
- Leaking brake fluid
- Worn or cracked brake sneakers
How a lot does it price to exchange drum brakes?
The price of changing drum brakes will range relying on the make and mannequin of your car, in addition to the labor prices in your space. Nevertheless, you may anticipate to pay between $100 and $300 for components and labor.
Can I exchange drum brakes myself?
Changing drum brakes is a comparatively easy job that may be executed with fundamental instruments. Nevertheless, you will need to comply with the steps rigorously and to examine the brakes frequently for put on and tear.
