LEMON Manuals: Even more car manuals for everyone
Home >> Chevrolet >> 2003 >> Malibu Base >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Brakes >> Mechanical - Hydraulic >> Disc Brakes & Drum Brakes >> System Tests >> Drum Brake System Test

Drum Brake System Test

  1. If sent here from SYMPTOM INDEX  table, go to next step. If not sent here from SYMPTOM INDEX  table, perform HYDRAULIC BRAKE DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM CHECK  under TROUBLE SHOOTING.
  2. Remove the brake drums. See BRAKE DRUM  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Inspect the drum brake shoes for the following conditions:
    • Lining thickness below specifications.
    • Uneven and/or abnormal wear (edge-to-edge and/or side-to-side).
    • Contamination from an external substance.
    • Looseness, damage, glazing or incorrect lining material.
    If any problems with brake shoes are found, go to next step. If no problems are found, go to step  7.
  3. If any of the brake shoes are contaminated, go to next step. If brake shoes are not contaminated, go to step  5.
  4. Inspect the wheel cylinders for evidence of an external brake fluid leak. Replace any wheel cylinder that is found to be leaking brake fluid. See WHEEL CYLINDERS  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. After inspection and replacement, go to step  6.
  5. Inspect the drum brake hardware for any components which are worn, damaged, discolored due to stress, broken or missing. See DRUM BRAKE HARDWARE INSPECTION  under ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTIONS. Replace components as required. See DRUM BRAKE HARDWARE  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Replace the drum brake shoes. See BRAKE SHOES  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. After inspection and replacement, go to step  8.
  6. Clean the remaining drum brake system components to remove any traces of the contaminant. Inspect the drum brake hardware for any components which are worn, damaged, discolored due to stress, broken or missing. See DRUM BRAKE HARDWARE INSPECTION  under ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTIONS. Replace the drum brake hardware components as required. See DRUM BRAKE HARDWARE  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Replace the contaminated brake shoes. See BRAKE SHOES  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. After cleaning, inspection and replacement, go to step  8.
  7. Inspect the drum brake hardware for any components which are worn, damaged, discolored due to stress, broken or missing. See DRUM BRAKE HARDWARE INSPECTION  under ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTIONS. Replace components as required. See DRUM BRAKE HARDWARE  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. After inspection and replacement, if necessary, go to next step.
  8. Check the diameter of each of the brake drums. Make a determination for each brake drum if the drum can be refinished and remain above the minimum requirements. See BRAKE DRUM DIAMETER MEASUREMENT  under DRUM BRAKE SYSTEM in ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTIONS. If the brake drum meets the minimum requirements for refinishing, go to next step. If the brake drum does not meet minimum requirements for refinishing, go to step  11.
  9. Perform the following:
    1. Inspect each of the brake drums for the following surface and wear conditions:
      • Heavy rust and/or pitting.
      • Cracks and/or heat spots.
      • Excessive blueing discoloration.
      • Missing balance weights.
      • Deep or excessive scoring beyond maximum acceptable level.
      • Radial runout beyond maximum acceptable level.
      See BRAKE DRUM SURFACE & WEAR INSPECTION  under DRUM BRAKE SYSTEM in ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTIONS.
    2. Make a determination for each brake drum if the drum requires refinishing based upon the results of the inspection. If the brake drum exhibits any of the previously listed conditions, it requires refinishing.
    If brake drum requires refinishing, go to next step. If brake drum does not require refinishing, go to step  14.
  10. Refinish the brake drum. See DRUM BRAKE REFINISHING  under ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTIONS. Inspect the brake drum diameter. See BRAKE DRUM DIAMETER MEASUREMENT  under DRUM BRAKE SYSTEM in ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTIONS. If brake drum was able to be refinished within the minimum requirements, go to step  14. If brake drum was not able to be refinished within the minimum requirements, go to step  13.
  11. If brake drum is at or below the DISCARD requirements, go to step  13. If brake drum is not at or below DISCARD requirements, go to next step.
  12. Perform the following:
    1. Inspect each of the brake drums for the following surface and wear conditions:
      • Heavy rust and/or pitting.
      • Cracks and/or heat spots.
      • Excessive blueing discoloration.
      • Missing balance weights.
      • Deep or excessive scoring beyond maximum acceptable level.
      • Radial runout beyond maximum acceptable level.
      See BRAKE DRUM SURFACE & WEAR INSPECTION  under DRUM BRAKE SYSTEM in ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTIONS.
    2. Make a determination for each brake drum if the drum requires refinishing based upon the results of the inspection. If the brake drum exhibits any of the previously listed conditions, it requires refinishing.
    If brake drum requires replacement, go to next step. If brake drum does not require replacement, go to step  14.
  13. Replace the brake drum. See BRAKE DRUM  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. After replacement, go to next step.
  14. Inspect the brake shoes for proper adjustment. See DRUM BRAKE ADJUSTMENT  under ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTIONS. If brake shoes are adjusted properly, go to step  18. If brake shoes are not adjusted properly, go to next step.
  15. Inspect the components of the brake drum adjustment hardware system for free movement and correct operation. See DRUM BRAKE ADJUSTING HARDWARE INSPECTION  under ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTIONS. If drum brake adjusting hardware components operate freely and correctly, go to step  17. If drum brake adjusting hardware components do not operate freely and correctly, go to next step.
  16. Replace the drum brake adjusting hardware components as necessary. See DRUM BRAKE ADJUSTING HARDWARE  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. After replacement, go to next step.
  17. Adjust the drum brake shoes. See DRUM BRAKE ADJUSTMENT  under ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTIONS. If adjustment was completed, go to step  20. If adjustment was not completed, go to SYMPTOM INDEX  table.
  18. Inspect the drum brake backing plate for the following:
    • Excessive wear or rust.
    • Damage and/or evidence of contact with the brake drum.
    If drum brake backing plate exhibits any of these conditions, go to next step. If drum brake backing plate does not exhibit any of these conditions, go to step  20.
  19. Repair or replace the drum brake backing plate as necessary. See DRUM BRAKE BACKING PLATE  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. After replacement, go to next step.
  20. Install or connect components that were removed or disconnected during diagnosis. If procedure is completed, the drum brake system is okay. Go to SYMPTOM INDEX  table.
scientia non olet · About LEMON Manuals