Drum brakes are a typical kind of brake discovered on automobiles and different autos. They encompass a rotating drum that’s connected to the wheel, and a set of brake footwear that press towards the within of the drum to sluggish or cease the automobile.
There are occasions when it might be essential to take away a drum brake, equivalent to when changing the brake footwear or repairing the drum itself. Eradicating a drum brake generally is a comparatively easy activity, however you will need to comply with the right steps to keep away from damaging the brake parts. On this article, we’ll present a step-by-step information on how one can take away a drum brake safely and successfully.
Earlier than starting, you will need to collect the required instruments and supplies. You will want a lug wrench, a jack, a jack stand, a hammer, a screwdriver, and a pair of pliers. After you have gathered your instruments, you possibly can start the method of eradicating the drum brake.
Security Precautions
Earlier than you start working in your drum brakes, it is necessary to take some security precautions to guard your self and your automobile.
First, make it possible for your automobile is parked on a stage floor and that the parking brake is engaged. This can assist to forestall your automobile from rolling when you are engaged on it.
Subsequent, you may want to assemble the required instruments for the job. This features a socket wrench, a torque wrench, a flathead screwdriver, and a hammer. After you have your whole instruments, you possibly can start the method of eradicating the drum brakes.
It is also necessary to put on security glasses and gloves when working in your brakes. This can assist to guard you from brake mud and different hazardous supplies.
Extra Security Suggestions
- By no means work in your brakes whereas the automobile is operating
- All the time use the correct instruments for the job
- If you’re not snug working in your brakes, it’s best to take your automobile to a mechanic
By following these security precautions, you possibly can assist to make sure that you may have a secure 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 footwear away from the drum |
| Hammer | Used to faucet the brake drum free 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 Traces and Eradicating the Drums
As soon as the wheel is eliminated, you have to 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 possibly can take away the brake drum.
To take away the brake drum, insert the drum brake device into the slot on the again of the brake drum. Flip the drum brake device clockwise to take away the brake drum from the axle.
| Security Precautions |
|---|
| -All the time put on security glasses when working in your automobile. -Use jack stands to help the automobile when you are engaged on it. -By no means work on a automobile that’s supported solely by a jack. -Watch out to not harm the brake traces if you find yourself disconnecting them. -All the time torque the lug nuts to the correct specs if you find yourself reassembling the wheel. -By no means drive a automobile with a brake system that isn’t working correctly. |
Eradicating the Wheel
1. Park the automobile on a stage floor and have interaction the parking brake.
2. Loosen the lug nuts on the wheel you’re eradicating, however don’t take away them utterly.
3. Elevate the automobile utilizing a jack and place a jack stand beneath 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 citadel nut on the spindle.
2. Use a socket wrench to loosen the citadel nut, however don’t take away it utterly.
3. Grip the brake drum with each arms and pull it straight off the spindle. The drum could also be caught, so you could want to make use of a rubber mallet to softly faucet it free.
| Drum Brake Varieties | Removing Methodology |
|---|---|
| Main-shoe kind | Pull the drum straight off the spindle. |
| Trailing-shoe kind | Rotate the drum barely till the brake footwear 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 harm.
2. Verify the within of the drum for any scoring or grooving.
3. Verify the brake footwear for any indicators of wear and tear or contamination.
4. If any of the parts 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 footwear. To take away the adjuster screw(s), you have to to make use of a flathead screwdriver or a brake adjuster device.
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 an alternative, they work routinely to regulate the brake footwear 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 footwear. 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, harm or corrosion. Verify the flange the place it mates with the axle housing. If the flange is worn or broken, it might have to be changed. Additionally, search for any cracks or bends within the backing plate. If the backing plate is cracked or bent, it would have to be changed.
Earlier than reassembling the drum brake system, you will need to clear and examine all the parts. This can 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 must rigorously disengage the springs that maintain the footwear in place. There are usually two kinds 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 footwear. Be cautious to not harm the springs or the footwear.
The return springs connect to the brake footwear 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 stress of the springs can nonetheless trigger the footwear to leap when launched, so take further care. As soon as the springs are unhooked, you possibly can gently pull the brake footwear away from the backing plate and take away them.
| Sort of Spring | Motion |
|---|---|
| Maintain-Down Spring | Retains brake footwear in touch with drum |
| Return Spring | Returns brake footwear to their resting place |
Brake Adjustment
Should you’re experiencing any points along with your drum brakes, it is necessary to regulate them correctly. This is a step-by-step information on how one can do it:
1. Park the automobile on a stage 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 mustn’t lock up.
5. Verify the brake fluid stage: If it is low, prime it up.
6. Take a look at the brakes: Drive the automobile 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 stage: After driving for a brief distance, re-check the brake adjustment and fluid stage to make sure all the things is working appropriately.
Wheel Cylinder Inspection
Should you discover any leaks or harm to the wheel cylinder, it would have to be changed. This is how one can examine the wheel cylinder:
| Verify | Steps |
|---|---|
| Leaks | Study the wheel cylinder for any indicators of fluid leaks or stains. |
| Injury | Examine the wheel cylinder for any cracks, dents, or different harm. |
| Seals | Verify the rubber seals on the wheel cylinder for any indicators of wear and tear or harm. |
Should you discover any points with the wheel cylinder, it is really useful to switch it to make sure correct brake performance.
Last Inspection
After you have reassembled the brake parts, it is essential to conduct a ultimate inspection to make sure correct performance and security. Listed below are the important thing steps concerned within the ultimate inspection:
10. Complete Visible Inspection
Totally examine all the brake meeting for any free or incorrectly put in parts. Be certain that all bolts, nuts, and screws are correctly tightened and safe. Verify for any indicators of injury or put on on the brake footwear, drums, or different parts. Should you discover any points, deal with them promptly.
| Merchandise | Inspection Standards |
|---|---|
| Brake footwear | 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 harm to the housing |
Learn how to Take a Drum Brake Off
Drum brakes are a sort of automotive brake that makes use of a rotating drum to use friction to a stationary brake shoe, slowing or stopping the automobile. Drum brakes are typically much less efficient than disc brakes, however they’re additionally cheaper and simpler to keep up. If it is advisable take a drum brake off, comply with these steps:
- Park the automobile on a stage floor and have interaction the parking brake.
- Loosen the lug nuts on the wheel that you may be engaged on, however don’t take away them.
- Jack up the automobile and help it with jack stands.
- Take away the lug nuts and take off the wheel.
- Take away the cotter pin from the citadel nut on the brake drum.
- Loosen the citadel 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 possibly can disconnect the brake line from the wheel cylinder.
- Take away the brake footwear from the backing plate.
- Examine the brake footwear and substitute them if mandatory.
- 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 might have to be changed, together with:
- Squealing or grinding noises once you brake
- A lower in braking energy
- A pulsating feeling within the brake pedal
- Leaking brake fluid
- Worn or cracked brake footwear
How a lot does it price to switch drum brakes?
The price of changing drum brakes will range relying on the make and mannequin of your automobile, in addition to the labor prices in your space. Nevertheless, you possibly can count on to pay between $100 and $300 for components and labor.
Can I substitute drum brakes myself?
Changing drum brakes is a comparatively easy job that may be performed with fundamental instruments. Nevertheless, you will need to comply with the steps rigorously and to examine the brakes usually for put on and tear.
