Test Description

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2007 Saturn Vue. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The number below refers to the step number on the diagnostic table:

18: Drum brake backing plates that come in contact with brake drums may cause brake system noise.

Drum Brake System Diagnosis

Step	Action	Yes	No
DEFINITION: This diagnostic table is designed to diagnose ONLY the components of the DRUM brake system in order to determine if the DRUM brake system is operating properly. You will be directed by the appropriate Symptom table to go to other brake system diagnostic tables as appropriate.
1	Were you sent here from a Brake Symptom table?	Go to Step 2	Go to Diagnostic Starting Point - Hydraulic Brakes
2	Remove the brake drums. Refer to Brake Drum Replacement . 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 Did you find any conditions to indicate a concern with any of the drum brake shoes?	Go to Step 3	Go to Step 7
3	Are any of the brake shoes contaminated?	Go to Step 4	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. Refer to Wheel Cylinder Replacement . Did you complete the 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. Refer to Drum Brake Hardware Inspection . Replace components as required. Refer to Drum Brake Hardware Replacement . Replace the drum brake shoes. Refer to Brake Shoe Replacement . Did you complete the 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. Refer to Drum Brake Hardware Inspection . Replace the drum brake hardware components as required. Refer to Drum Brake Hardware Replacement . Replace the contaminated brake shoes. Refer to Brake Shoe Replacement . Did you complete the 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. Refer to Drum Brake Hardware Inspection . Replace components as required. Refer to Drum Brake Hardware Replacement . Did you complete the inspection and, if necessary, the replacement?	Go to Step 8	-
8	Check the diameter of each of the brake drums. IMPORTANT: Make the following determination AND ANSWER the question INDIVIDUALLY for EACH drum. Make a determination for each brake drum if the drum can be REFINISHED and REMAIN ABOVE the minimum requirements. Refer to Brake Drum Diameter Measurement .Does the brake drum meet the minimum requirements for REFINISHING?	Go to Step 9	Go to Step 11
9	Inspect each of the brake drums for the following surface and wear conditions: Refer to Brake Drum Surface and Wear Inspection . Braking Surface Conditions Heavy rust and/or pitting Cracks and/or heat spots Excessive blueing discoloration Missing balance weights Braking Surface Wear Conditions Deep or excessive scoring beyond maximum acceptable level Radial runout beyond maximum acceptable level IMPORTANT: Make the following determination AND ANSWER the question INDIVIDUALLY for EACH drum. 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 following conditions, it requires refinishing. Drum exhibits one or more of the Braking Surface Conditions listed previously Drum is beyond the acceptable level in one or more of the Braking Surface Wear Conditions listed previously Does the brake drum require REFINISHING?	Go to Step 10	Go to Step 14
10	Refinish the brake drum. Refer to Brake Drum Refinishing . Inspect the brake drum diameter. Refer to Brake Drum Diameter Measurement . Were you able to REFINISH the brake drum within the minimum requirements?	Go to Step 14	Go to Step 13
11	Is the brake drum at or below the DISCARD requirements?	Go to Step 13	Go to Step 12
12	Inspect each of the brake drums for the following surface and wear conditions: Refer to Brake Drum Surface and Wear Inspection . Braking Surface Conditions Heavy rust and/or pitting Cracks and/or heat spots Excessive blueing discoloration Missing balance weights Braking Surface Wear Conditions Deep or excessive scoring beyond maximum acceptable level Radial runout beyond maximum acceptable level IMPORTANT: Make the following determination AND ANSWER the question INDIVIDUALLY for EACH drum. Make a determination for each brake drum if the drum requires replacement based upon the results of the inspection. If a brake drum exhibits any of the following conditions, it requires replacement. Drum exhibits one or more of the Braking Surface Conditions listed previously Drum is beyond the acceptable level in one or more of the Braking Surface Wear Conditions listed previously Does the brake drum require REPLACEMENT?	Go to Step 13	Go to Step 14
13	Replace the brake drum. Refer to Brake Drum Replacement . Did you complete the replacement?	Go to Step 14	-
14	Inspect the brake shoes for proper adjustment. Refer to Drum Brake Adjustment . Are the brake shoes adjusted properly?	Go to Step 18	Go to Step 15
15	Inspect the components of the brake drum adjustment hardware system for free movement and correct operation. Refer to Drum Brake Adjusting Hardware Inspection . Do the drum brake adjusting hardware components operate freely and correctly?	Go to Step 17	Go to Step 16
16	Replace the drum brake adjusting hardware components as necessary. Refer to Drum Brake Adjusting Hardware Replacement . Is the replacement complete?	Go to Step 17	-
17	Adjust the drum brake shoes. Refer to Drum Brake Adjustment . Were you able to complete the adjustment?	Go to Step 20	Return to Symptom 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 Does the drum brake backing plate exhibit any of these conditions?	Go to Step 19	Go to Step 20
19	Repair or replace the drum brake backing plate as necessary. Refer to Drum Brake Backing Plate Replacement . Did you complete the repair or replacement?	Go to Step 20	-
20	Install or connect components that were removed or disconnected during diagnosis. Did you complete the operation?	Drum Brake System OK Return to Symptom Table	-