Rear Brake Shoes: Removal

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Saturn Vue. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Raise and support vehicle. Remove rear wheels. Remove brake drum. If drums are difficult to remove, insert a thin screwdriver through hole in backing plate. Hold adjuster lever away from star wheel. Rotate star wheel to contract shoes. See Fig 1 .

NOTE: Do not over stretch adjuster spring. Damage can occur if spring is over stretched.

Disengage adjuster spring hook end from tab on adjuster actuator. Remove straight end of adjuster spring from brake shoe.
Remove adjuster actuator from brake shoe. Remove return spring from brake shoes. Remove parking brake cable from actuator lever. Remove brake shoe hold-down springs and retainers from brake shoes. See Fig 2 .
Remove adjuster from brake shoes and parking brake actuator lever. Remove horseshoe clip retaining parking brake actuator lever to brake shoe. Remove parking brake actuator lever and wave washer from brake shoe.
Clean all of the drum brake system components with denatured alcohol. Inspect all of drum brake system components. Replace drum brake system components as necessary. Inspect wheel cylinder for brake fluid leakage, or worn or damaged dust boots. Replace damaged or leaking wheel cylinders as necessary.

Fig 1: Contracting Rear Drum Brake Shoes

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Fig 2: Identifying Self-Adjuster Components (Rear Drum Brakes)

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.