How to Do Brake Shoes
Brake shoes are a component of drum brakes, which typically are found only on the rear wheels of some modern vehicles. They are essentially two pieces of sheet metal with an insulating material that clamp down on the wheels to slow them. Brake shoes rarely require replacement because the rear brakes receive much less wear than the front brakes.
Things You'll Need:
- Lug wrench
- Floor jack
- Jack stands
- Rubber mallet
- Brake spring tool
- Loosen the lug nuts on the rear wheels with a lug wrench. Raise the vehicle with a floor jack and support it on jack stands. Remove the lug nuts with a lug wrench, and pull the wheel from the wheel hub.
- Remove the drum from the wheel hub. Tap the brake drum gently with a rubber mallet if necessary to loosen it.
- Disconnect the return spring from the brakes shoes with a brake spring tool. Hold the brake spring clip with one hand to hold it in place. Unscrew the clip and remove it from the brake shoes. Some brake shoes may have more than one set of return springs and brake shoes.
- Detach the brake shoes and their linkages from the brake drum.
- Install the new brake shoes onto the drum, ensuring that each new shoe is on the correct side of the drum.
- Attach the brake springs and clips to the new brake shoes. Slide the brake drum onto the wheel hub.
- Replace the wheel onto the wheel hub, and fasten the lug nuts to the wheel.
- Remove the jack stands and lower the vehicle with the floor jack. Tighten the lug nuts with a lug wrench. Activate the emergency brakes a few times to tighten the brake shoes.