5 Easy Steps: How To Take A Drum Brake Off

Drum brake removal

Most trendy automobiles have disc brakes, however many older automobiles nonetheless characteristic drum brakes on the rear axle. Whereas drum brakes aren’t as highly effective or environment friendly as disc brakes, they’re simpler to take care of and could be simply as efficient for on a regular basis driving. If it’s worthwhile to substitute the brake sneakers or restore the wheel cylinder, you will must take away the drum brake meeting.

Eradicating a drum brake is a comparatively easy process that may be accomplished in about an hour. Listed below are the steps on do it:

First, you will want to assemble a couple of instruments. You will want a lug wrench, a flathead screwdriver, a pair of pliers, and a brake spring instrument. Upon getting 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 best way, or the wheel will fall off!

Gathering Vital 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 automobile, you will need to put on acceptable security gear to guard your self from damage. For this process, you will want:

  • Security glasses
  • Gloves

Along with the instruments and security gear listed above, you might also 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. Typically that is simpler mentioned than performed, as rust and corrosion over time can seize the drum to the backing plate. You should 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 free, use a slide hammer or pry bar to rigorously pry it off the backing plate. Make sure to 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. Be aware: If you happen to’re having bother getting the drum off, chances are you’ll must take away the brake sneakers first. Seek the advice of your automobile’s service handbook for particular directions.

Step-by-Step Directions for Sliding Off the Backing Plate

Step Instruction
1 Find the cotter pin or cut up pin that secures the fortress nut to the axle. Take away the cotter pin or cut up pin utilizing a pair of pliers.
2 Loosen the fortress nut by turning it counterclockwise utilizing a socket wrench or wrench.
3 Take away the fortress nut and washer from the axle.
4 Gently elevate the brake meeting away from the axle. Watch out to not injury the brake strains or wires.
5 Use a slide hammer or pry bar to rigorously 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
At all times guarantee the steadiness of the drum brake meeting earlier than eradicating the brake sneakers. Use a pair of jack stands to supply help and stop 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 automobiles, you may also 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 worthwhile to take away the brake shoe hold-down pins. On some automobiles, the pins are linked with cotter pins, which you’ll be able to simply detach utilizing pliers. In different automobiles, 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 should 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 Check with automobile specs

11. Set up the brake caliper over the brake rotor.
12. Safe the brake caliper utilizing the caliper bracket bolts. Once more, comply with 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 strains.
17. Test the brake fluid stage and add fluid as essential.
18. Check 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 automobiles, together with automobiles, vehicles, and bikes. They work through the use of a set of brake sneakers to press in opposition to the within of a rotating drum. This creates friction, which slows down or stops the automobile.

If it’s worthwhile to take away a drum brake, you will need to comply with the proper process. This may assist to make sure that the brake is eliminated safely and with out damaging any of the elements.

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Collect your instruments. You will have 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 fully at this level.

3. Jack up the automobile. Use the jack to jack up the automobile. Place the jack stand underneath the body of the automobile, subsequent to the wheel that you’re engaged on.

4. Take away the wheel. Take away the lug nuts fully 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 are going to must 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.

Folks Additionally Ask

How do I do know if my drum brakes must be changed?

There are a couple of indicators that will point out that your drum brakes must 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 fluctuate relying on the make and mannequin of your automobile, in addition to the labor prices in your space. Nonetheless, 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 process. In case you are not comfy working in your automobile, it’s best to take it to a mechanic.