Brake Drum - Rear

This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the rear brake drums on a 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with rear drum brakes.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear brake drum (per side) × 2 — ACDelco 177-1146 or equivalent

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid ground and engage parking brake firmly
2. Place wheel chocks in front of both front wheels
3. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts approximately 1/4 turn while vehicle is still on the ground
4. Raise rear of vehicle with floor jack at manufacturer-specified lift points
5. Secure vehicle on jack stands placed at proper frame contact points
6. Release parking brake completely
7. Remove rear wheels completely and set aside

Procedure

1. 1

   Initial drum inspection
   Visually inspect the brake drum for the adjuster access hole or knockout plug. Some drums have a rubber plug on the backing plate that allows access to the star wheel adjuster. Note the drum's orientation and any indexing marks for reinstallation reference.
2. 2

   Back off brake shoe adjustment
   If the drum is difficult to remove, locate the adjuster access hole on the backing plate (usually at the 6 o'clock position). Remove the rubber plug if present. Insert a brake adjustment tool or flat screwdriver and rotate the star wheel adjuster to retract the brake shoes. On most GM drums, push the adjuster lever away with one tool while rotating the star wheel upward with another tool to collapse the shoes inward.
3. 3

   Remove brake drum
   Firmly grasp the brake drum and pull straight off the hub assembly. The drum should slide over the brake shoes and off the wheel studs. If the drum is stuck due to rust or corrosion on the hub, tap around the drum face and outer edge with a rubber mallet. Strike evenly around the circumference, working the drum loose gradually. Avoid striking the drum edge directly as this can crack cast iron drums.
4. 4

   Use drum puller if necessary
   If the drum remains seized after mallet tapping, thread two M8 x 1.25 bolts into the threaded puller holes on the drum face (if equipped). Tighten the bolts evenly in an alternating pattern to push the drum off the hub. Alternatively, use a three-jaw brake drum puller. Apply penetrating oil around the drum pilot hole and let sit for 10-15 minutes before attempting removal again. Never use excessive heat as this can damage brake components and wheel bearings.
5. 5

   Clean hub surface
   Once drum is removed, use a wire brush to clean rust and corrosion from the hub mounting surface where the drum seats. Clean the wheel stud threads and hub pilot area. Wipe clean with brake parts cleaner. Do not disturb brake shoe assembly unless performing a complete brake service. If brake shoes were not being replaced, avoid pressing the brake pedal with drums removed to prevent wheel cylinder extension.
6. 6

   Inspect new drums
   Inspect new brake drums for shipping damage, cracks, or defects. Verify the new drum matches the old drum diameter (typically 11 inches for Silverado 1500). Clean the new drum inside and out with brake parts cleaner to remove any protective coating or oil from manufacturing. Some drums come with a rust-preventive coating that must be removed before installation.
7. 7

   Install new brake drum
   Apply a thin coat of anti-seize compound to the hub pilot area (center register) only, avoiding the wheel stud threads and brake shoe contact surfaces. Align the new drum with the wheel studs and slide it onto the hub. The drum should slide on smoothly over the brake shoes. If resistance is felt, verify the parking brake is released and brake shoes are properly retracted. Rotate the drum to ensure it spins freely without binding or scraping.
8. 8

   Adjust brake shoes (initial)
   Through the adjuster access hole, rotate the star wheel adjuster downward (opposite of retraction direction) until the brake shoes contact the drum and the drum can no longer rotate freely. Then back off the adjuster 8-10 clicks until the drum rotates with only slight drag. This provides initial brake shoe-to-drum clearance. The final adjustment will occur during the brake burnish procedure.
9. 9

   Reinstall wheel and torque lug nuts
   Place the wheel onto the hub, aligning the lug nut holes with the studs. Thread all lug nuts on by hand to prevent cross-threading. Use a torque wrench to tighten lug nuts to specification in a star pattern (crossing pattern) to ensure even seating of the wheel.
   Torque spec

   Wheel Lug Nuts190 Nm (140 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Repeat for opposite side
    Perform steps 1 through 9 for the opposite rear wheel. It is critical to replace brake drums in pairs (both rear drums) to ensure balanced braking performance. Never replace only one drum.
11. 11

    Lower vehicle and final torque check
    Carefully lower the vehicle from the jack stands using the floor jack. Once the vehicle weight is on the wheels but still supported partially by the jack, perform a final torque check on all lug nuts in a star pattern. Fully lower the vehicle and remove the jack. Remove wheel chocks.

Reassembly

1. Reinstall the rubber adjuster access plugs if they were removed from the backing plates
2. Pump the brake pedal several times until it feels firm to verify proper brake shoe positioning
3. Verify parking brake operates correctly and holds the vehicle on an incline

Verification

• Start the engine and verify the brake warning light is not illuminated on the instrument cluster
• Test drive in a safe area at low speed (under 15 mph) and verify brakes engage smoothly without pulling to one side
• Perform 15-20 moderate stops from 30 mph to properly burnish (seat) the new drums to the brake shoes. Avoid hard braking during the first 200 miles
• Listen for any abnormal noises such as grinding, scraping, or squealing that would indicate incorrect installation or adjustment
• After the first 50-100 miles, re-check lug nut torque and readjust brake shoes if necessary through the adjuster access holes
• If the brake pedal feels soft, travels too far, or the vehicle pulls to one side during braking, stop driving immediately and inspect the installation. Seek professional service if problems persist

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