Drum brakes are a typical sort of brake discovered on automobiles and different automobiles. They encompass a rotating drum that’s hooked up to the wheel, and a set of brake sneakers that press towards the within of the drum to sluggish or cease the car.
There are occasions when it could be essential to take away a drum brake, resembling when changing the brake sneakers or repairing the drum itself. Eradicating a drum brake is usually a comparatively easy job, however you will need to comply with the right steps to keep away from damaging the brake parts. On this article, we’ll present a step-by-step information on methods to take away a drum brake safely and successfully.
Earlier than starting, you will need to collect the required instruments and supplies. You will want a lug wrench, a jack, a jack stand, a hammer, a screwdriver, and a pair of pliers. Upon getting gathered your instruments, you possibly can start the method of eradicating the drum brake.
Security Precautions
Earlier than you start working in your drum brakes, it is necessary to take some security precautions to guard your self and your car.
First, be sure that your car is parked on a degree floor and that the parking brake is engaged. It will assist to stop your car from rolling when you are engaged on it.
Subsequent, you will want to assemble the required instruments for the job. This features a socket wrench, a torque wrench, a flathead screwdriver, and a hammer. Upon getting your whole instruments, you possibly can start the method of eradicating the drum brakes.
It is also necessary to put on security glasses and gloves when working in your brakes. It will assist to guard you from brake mud and different hazardous supplies.
Further Security Suggestions
- By no means work in your brakes whereas the car is working
- At all times use the right instruments for the job
- In case you are not snug working in your brakes, it’s best to take your car to a mechanic
By following these security precautions, you possibly can assist to make sure that you’ve gotten a protected and profitable expertise when eradicating your drum brakes.
| Device |
Description |
| Socket wrench |
Used to take away the lug nuts and bolts that maintain the drum in place |
| Torque wrench |
Used to tighten the lug nuts and bolts to the right torque |
| Flathead screwdriver |
Used to pry the brake sneakers away from the drum |
| Hammer |
Used to faucet the brake drum free whether it is caught |
Supplies Required
1. Security Glasses
2. Jack Stands
3. Lug Wrench
4. Brake Cleaner
5. Brake Line Wrench
6. Drum Brake Device
7. Gloves
8. Torque Wrench
Disconnecting the Brake Traces and Eradicating the Drums
As soon as the wheel is eliminated, you will have to disconnect the brake line. To do that, use a brake line wrench to loosen the brake line from the wheel cylinder. As soon as the brake line is disconnected, you possibly can take away the brake drum.
To take away the brake drum, insert the drum brake instrument into the slot on the again of the brake drum. Flip the drum brake instrument clockwise to take away the brake drum from the axle.
| Security Precautions |
-At all times put on security glasses when working in your car.
-Use jack stands to assist the car when you are engaged on it.
-By no means work on a car that’s supported solely by a jack.
-Watch out to not harm the brake traces when you’re disconnecting them.
-At all times torque the lug nuts to the right specs when you’re reassembling the wheel.
-By no means drive a car with a brake system that isn’t working correctly. |
Eradicating the Wheel
1. Park the car on a degree floor and have interaction the parking brake.
2. Loosen the lug nuts on the wheel you’re eradicating, however don’t take away them utterly.
3. Elevate the car utilizing a jack and place a jack stand below the body for security.
4. Take away the lug nuts and pull the wheel straight off the axle.
Eradicating the Drum
1. Take away the cotter pin from the citadel nut on the spindle.
2. Use a socket wrench to loosen the citadel nut, however don’t take away it utterly.
3. Grip the brake drum with each arms and pull it straight off the spindle. The drum could also be caught, so it’s possible you’ll want to make use of a rubber mallet to softly faucet it free.
| Drum Brake Varieties |
Removing Technique |
| Main-shoe sort |
Pull the drum straight off the spindle. |
| Trailing-shoe sort |
Rotate the drum barely till the brake sneakers clear the backing plate, then pull the drum straight off the spindle. |
Inspecting the Brake Drum
1. As soon as the drum is eliminated, examine it for any indicators of damage or harm.
2. Verify the within of the drum for any scoring or grooving.
3. Verify the brake sneakers for any indicators of damage or contamination.
4. If any of the parts are worn or broken, they need to get replaced.
Eradicating the Drum Brake Adjuster
Step 5: Take away the adjuster screw(s)
The adjuster screw(s) are sometimes situated on the again of the brake plate and are used to regulate the brake sneakers. To take away the adjuster screw(s), you will have to make use of a flathead screwdriver or a brake adjuster instrument.
For single-adjuster brakes:
| Description |
Removel Directions |
| Star wheel adjuster |
Push the adjusting lever away from the brake backing plate and take away the star wheel utilizing a flathead screwdriver. |
| Eccentric adjuster |
Flip the adjusting nut counterclockwise utilizing a brake spoon wrench or a flathead screwdriver. |
For self-adjusting brakes:
Self-adjusting brake adjusters would not have screws that should be eliminated. As an alternative, they work robotically to regulate the brake sneakers as they put on.
Disassembling the Backing Plate
With the drum and hub meeting eliminated, now you can disassemble the backing plate.
This is a step-by-step information:
- Begin by eradicating the brake sneakers. They’re sometimes held in place by springs or clips. Use a screwdriver or pliers to rigorously take away them.
- Subsequent, take away the wheel cylinder. It’s often bolted to the backing plate. Use a wrench to loosen the bolts and thoroughly take away the wheel cylinder.
- Now, take away the parking brake cable. It’s often hooked up to the backing plate with a bracket or clip. Use a wrench or pliers to rigorously take away the bracket or clip and disconnect the cable.
- Subsequent, take away the axle shaft. It’s held in place by a nut or bolt. Use a wrench to loosen the nut or bolt and thoroughly take away the axle shaft.
- Lastly, take away the backing plate. It’s often bolted to the axle housing. Use a wrench to loosen the bolts and thoroughly take away the backing plate.
- Examine the backing plate for any indicators of damage, harm or corrosion. Verify the flange the place it mates with the axle housing. If the flange is worn or broken, it could should be changed. Additionally, search for any cracks or bends within the backing plate. If the backing plate is cracked or bent, it can should be changed.
Earlier than reassembling the drum brake system, you will need to clear and examine the entire parts. It will assist to make sure that the system is working correctly and safely.
Eradicating the Drum Brake Footwear
Step 7: Unhooking the Spring Stress
As soon as the cotter pins are eliminated, you will must rigorously disengage the springs that maintain the sneakers in place. There are sometimes two kinds of springs: hold-down springs and return springs.
To launch the hold-down springs, use a flathead screwdriver to pry the loops of the spring away from the brake sneakers. Be cautious to not harm the springs or the sneakers.
The return springs connect to the brake sneakers and the backing plate. To disconnect them, merely use a pair of pliers to squeeze the spring loops and launch them from the hooks or pins on the backing plate.
Keep in mind, the strain of the springs can nonetheless trigger the sneakers to leap when launched, so take additional care. As soon as the springs are unhooked, you possibly can gently pull the brake sneakers away from the backing plate and take away them.
| Sort of Spring |
Motion |
| Maintain-Down Spring |
Retains brake sneakers involved with drum |
| Return Spring |
Returns brake sneakers to their resting place |
Brake Adjustment
Should you’re experiencing any points together with your drum brakes, it is necessary to regulate them correctly. This is a step-by-step information on methods to do it:
1. Park the car on a degree floor: Make sure the parking brake is engaged.
2. Find the brake adjuster: The brake adjuster is usually situated on the again of the brake backing plate.
3. Insert a flat-head screwdriver into the adjuster slot: Flip the adjuster clockwise to tighten the brakes or counterclockwise to loosen them.
4. Regulate the brakes till there’s a slight drag when the wheel is turned by hand: The wheel shouldn’t lock up.
5. Verify the brake fluid degree: If it is low, prime it up.
6. Check the brakes: Drive the car at a low pace and apply the brakes gently. They need to really feel agency and responsive.
7. Re-check the brake adjustment and fluid degree: After driving for a brief distance, re-check the brake adjustment and fluid degree to make sure all the pieces is working appropriately.
Should you discover any leaks or harm to the wheel cylinder, it can should be changed. This is methods to examine the wheel cylinder:
| Verify |
Steps |
| Leaks |
Study the wheel cylinder for any indicators of fluid leaks or stains. |
| Injury |
Examine the wheel cylinder for any cracks, dents, or different harm. |
| Seals |
Verify the rubber seals on the wheel cylinder for any indicators of damage or harm. |
Should you discover any points with the wheel cylinder, it is beneficial to exchange it to make sure correct brake performance.
Last Inspection
Upon getting reassembled the brake parts, it is essential to conduct a ultimate inspection to make sure correct performance and security. Listed here are the important thing steps concerned within the ultimate inspection:
10. Complete Visible Inspection
Completely examine your entire brake meeting for any free or incorrectly put in parts. Make sure that all bolts, nuts, and screws are correctly tightened and safe. Verify for any indicators of injury or put on on the brake sneakers, drums, or different parts. Should you discover any points, handle them promptly.
| Merchandise |
Inspection Standards |
| Brake sneakers |
Examine for put on, cracks, or contamination |
| Brake drums |
Verify for scoring, put on, or overheating |
| Springs and clips |
Guarantee correct stress and safe attachment |
| Wheel cylinders |
Search for leaks or harm to the housing |
The best way to Take a Drum Brake Off
Drum brakes are a kind of automotive brake that makes use of a rotating drum to use friction to a stationary brake shoe, slowing or stopping the car. Drum brakes are typically much less efficient than disc brakes, however they’re additionally inexpensive and simpler to take care of. If you’ll want to take a drum brake off, comply with these steps:
- Park the car on a degree floor and have interaction the parking brake.
- Loosen the lug nuts on the wheel that you’ll be engaged on, however don’t take away them.
- Jack up the car and assist it with jack stands.
- Take away the lug nuts and take off the wheel.
- Take away the cotter pin from the citadel nut on the brake drum.
- Loosen the citadel nut, however don’t take away it.
- Use a drum brake puller to tug the brake drum off of the axle.
- As soon as the brake drum is off, you possibly can disconnect the brake line from the wheel cylinder.
- Take away the brake sneakers from the backing plate.
- Examine the brake sneakers and substitute them if vital.
- Reassemble the brake in reverse order.
Individuals Additionally Ask
How do I do know if my drum brakes should be changed?
There are just a few indicators that your drum brakes might should be changed, together with:
- Squealing or grinding noises whenever you brake
- A lower in braking energy
- A pulsating feeling within the brake pedal
- Leaking brake fluid
- Worn or cracked brake sneakers
How a lot does it price to exchange drum brakes?
The price of changing drum brakes will fluctuate relying on the make and mannequin of your car, in addition to the labor prices in your space. Nevertheless, you possibly can anticipate to pay between $100 and $300 for components and labor.
Can I substitute drum brakes myself?
Changing drum brakes is a comparatively easy job that may be accomplished with fundamental instruments. Nevertheless, you will need to comply with the steps rigorously and to examine the brakes frequently for put on and tear.
