Rear Drum Brakes
Rear drum brakes are standard equipment. The rear drum brakes consist of:
- Dust cap.
- Nut.
- Drum.
- Hub and bearing.
- Wheel cylinder.
- Seal.
- Support plate.
- Brake Shoes.
- Retainer clip.
Components relating to drum brake shoes are:
- Wheel cylinder.
- Automatic adjuster screw assembly.
- Return spring.
- Hold down clip.
- Automatic adjuster lever and spring.
- Park brake cable.
- Park brake shoe.
- Front brake shoe.
- Brake shoe-to-anchor spring.
- Brake anchor plate.
- Rear brake shoe. See Fig 1.
The rear drum brakes are a 2-shoe, internal-expanding type with an automatic adjuster screw which is actuated each time the brakes are applied and adjustment is made when lining wear permits. The automatic adjuster screw is located directly below the rear wheel cylinder.
When the brakes are applied, fluid pressure is sent to each rear wheel cylinder. The pressure at the wheel cylinder is exerted equally against both cylinder pistons. The piston pressure is transmitted directly to the top of each brake shoe. This forces the shoes out against the inner surface of the brake drum. This causes friction, bringing the vehicle to a stop. When the brake pedal is released, so is the fluid pressure. The return springs attached to the shoes return the shoes to the released position. Vehicles with rear drum brakes use the drum brakes as part of the parking brake system also.