Brake Drum: Service and Repair

1. Raise and support vehicle, then remove wheel and spindle cap.
2. On sedan models, remove drum screws.
3. Unstake and remove spindle nut and washer, then release parking brake lever.
4. Remove parking brake lever cover, then loosen parking brake cable locking nut.
5. To increase clearance between shoe and drum, proceed as follows:
a. Remove backing plate plug.

Fig. 6 Brake Shoe Clearance Adjustment:

b. Insert screwdriver into plug hole till its tip contacts shoe hold-down spring, then push hold-down spring as shown, Fig. 6.
6. Using slide hammer and drum remover tools, pull off brake drum.
7. Reverse procedure to install, noting the following:

Fig. 3 Retracting Brake Shoes:

a. Before installing drum, maximize brake shoe to drum clearance by pushing down on ratchet using a screwdriver as shown, Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 Hold-Down Spring Location:

b. Put brake shoe hold-down spring back to its original position, Fig. 7.
c. Tighten spindle nut to specification. Caulk spindle nut after tightening.
d. Depress brake pedal five times to obtain proper drum to shoe clearance.
e. Adjust parking brake cable as outlined under Parking Brake. Adjustments