Drum Brake Shoes - Rear

Replace rear drum brake shoes on a 2015 Kia Forte 1.8L, including hardware and adjustment of the parking brake mechanism.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear brake shoe set (both shoes) × 2 — OEM Kia or equivalent drum brake shoe kit
• Brake hardware kit (springs, clips, pins) × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Brake drum (if worn beyond service limit) × 2 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

• DOT 4 Brake Fluid — 1 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid ground and place wheel chocks in front of the front wheels.
2. Verify parking brake is fully released before beginning work.
3. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on the ground, but do not remove.
4. Raise rear of vehicle with floor jack and support securely on jack stands placed at manufacturer-specified jacking points on the rear subframe or axle beam.
5. Remove rear wheels completely and set aside.
6. Prepare work area with adequate ventilation and HEPA vacuum for brake dust containment.

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove brake drum
   Remove the drum retaining screw if present (may be Phillips head). Pull the brake drum straight off the hub. If drum is stuck due to rust or shoe wear ridge, back off the parking brake adjuster through the access hole in the backing plate using a flathead screwdriver. If still stuck, use a brake drum puller or tap gently around the perimeter with a rubber mallet. Never hit the friction surface directly.
   ⚠Do not strike the drum with excessive force as this can damage wheel bearings or hub components.
2. 2

   Contain and remove brake dust
   Without disturbing the brake dust, carefully vacuum all visible brake dust from the drum interior, backing plate, and brake shoes using a HEPA-filtered vacuum. Follow with non-chlorinated brake cleaner applied to a rag to wet-wipe all surfaces. Never blow out with compressed air.
   ⚠️Asbestos exposure hazard. Use only HEPA vacuum and wet cleaning methods.
3. 3

   Document and remove return springs
   Take clear photos of spring positions and routing for reference. Using brake spring pliers, remove the upper and lower return springs connecting the leading and trailing shoes. Note the different spring tensions and positions. The adjuster spring connecting to the adjuster lever should be removed next. Work carefully to avoid sudden spring release.
   ⚠️Brake return springs are under high tension. Use proper tools and control the spring as you release it to prevent injury.
4. 4

   Remove hold-down springs and pins
   Using a brake hold-down spring tool, compress and rotate each hold-down spring retainer 90 degrees to align with the slot in the pin. Remove the spring, retainer cap, and pin from both shoes. Keep hardware organized by side for reinstallation.
   ⚠Do not lose the small retainer pins behind the backing plate. They can fall into inaccessible areas.
5. 5

   Remove parking brake strut and lever
   Disconnect the parking brake strut (the rod connecting the two shoes at the top) and remove. Disconnect the parking brake lever from the trailing shoe by removing the clip or retainer securing it. Note the orientation of the lever and any washers or spacers.
   ℹ️The parking brake lever typically transfers to the new trailing shoe and must be oriented correctly.
6. 6

   Remove brake shoes and adjuster
   Separate the leading and trailing shoes from the wheel cylinder at the top and from the adjuster mechanism at the bottom. Remove the adjuster screw assembly (star wheel mechanism) and note its orientation. The adjuster is typically labeled with L or R for left or right side and is not interchangeable.
   ⚠Do not mix left and right adjuster assemblies. They have opposite thread directions.
7. 7

   Inspect components and clean backing plate
   Inspect the wheel cylinder for any signs of fluid leakage (wetness around dust boots). If leaking, wheel cylinder replacement is required before proceeding. Clean the backing plate shoe contact pads with a wire brush and brake cleaner. Clean and lubricate the adjuster screw threads with high-temperature brake grease, then thread it back to the shortest length.
   ⚠A leaking wheel cylinder will contaminate new brake shoes and cause brake failure. Replace if any leakage is detected.
8. 8

   Transfer parking brake lever to new shoe
   Remove the parking brake lever from the old trailing shoe and install it on the new trailing shoe in the exact same orientation. Secure with the retaining clip or wave washer. Ensure the lever moves freely and the clip is fully seated.
   ℹ️The parking brake lever must be installed on the trailing (rear) shoe with the lever facing the correct direction.
9. 9

   Install new brake shoes
   Apply a thin film of high-temperature brake grease to the six raised contact pads on the backing plate where the shoes rest. Position the leading shoe (front) and trailing shoe (rear) at the bottom, engaging them with the adjuster screw assembly. Connect the shoes to the wheel cylinder slots at the top. Install the hold-down pins from behind the backing plate, then install springs and retainers, compressing and rotating 90 degrees to lock.
   ℹ️Ensure shoes are properly seated in wheel cylinder slots and on the adjuster before installing springs.
10. 10

    Install parking brake strut and springs
    Install the parking brake strut between the shoes at the top. Connect the adjuster lever to the leading shoe and hook the adjuster spring. Using brake spring pliers, install the lower return spring, then the upper return spring. Verify all springs are in their correct positions per your reference photos from the opposite side.
    ⚠️Installing springs incorrectly can cause brake failure. Compare to the opposite side assembly or reference photos before proceeding.
11. 11

    Pre-adjust brake shoes
    Using a brake drum adjustment gauge, measure the inside diameter of the brake drum. Set the gauge lock. Transfer this measurement to the outside of the installed brake shoes. Turn the adjuster star wheel (through the backing plate access hole or from the rear) to expand the shoes until they match the gauge measurement, leaving approximately 0.020-0.030 inch clearance. If no gauge is available, adjust shoes to just slightly smaller than drum inner diameter.
    ℹ️Proper pre-adjustment reduces break-in time and ensures even shoe contact.
12. 12

    Install brake drum and wheel
    Clean the hub mating surface and drum interior friction surface with brake cleaner. Slide the drum over the shoes. It should slip on with slight resistance. If too tight, back off the adjuster slightly. Install drum retaining screw if equipped. Install the wheel and hand-thread all lug nuts.
    ⚠If drum requires excessive force to install, the shoes are adjusted too far out and can damage components.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts108 Nm (80 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Repeat for opposite side
    Perform steps 1 through 12 for the opposite rear wheel, using the completed side as reference if needed. Ensure both sides are adjusted to approximately the same shoe-to-drum clearance for balanced braking.
    ℹ️Symmetric adjustment on both rear wheels is critical for vehicle stability during braking.
14. 14

    Lower vehicle and torque lug nuts
    Lower the vehicle until the wheels just contact the ground but most weight is still on jack stands. Torque all rear wheel lug nuts to specification in a star pattern. Fully lower vehicle and remove jack stands. Torque lug nuts again in star pattern to verify.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts108 Nm (80 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Perform final adjustment and bedding
    With vehicle on the ground, pump the brake pedal several times until it feels firm. The self-adjuster will function during initial reverse braking. Drive vehicle in a safe area and perform 5-10 moderate stops from 25 mph to complete initial shoe-to-drum bedding. Check brake pedal feel - it should be firm and braking should feel even. Perform final check of all work.
    ⚠️New brakes require bedding. Avoid hard stops for the first 100 miles. First test brakes at low speed in a safe area.
    ⚠If brake pedal feels soft or spongy, there may be air in the system or a wheel cylinder leak. Do not drive - investigate immediately.

Reassembly

1. Verify all brake hardware is installed in correct positions by comparing both sides
2. Ensure parking brake strut and adjuster are properly seated and functional
3. Confirm drum rotates freely without dragging (slight scraping during initial rotation is normal)
4. Top off brake fluid reservoir with DOT 4 brake fluid if level has dropped (should not require bleeding if wheel cylinders were not opened)

Verification

• Brake pedal should feel firm after pumping several times, with approximately 1-2 inches of free play before resistance
• Test parking brake holds vehicle securely on an incline
• Perform low-speed brake test in safe area - vehicle should stop smoothly and straight with no pulling to either side
• After 50-100 miles, verify brake adjustment by checking that drums are not excessively hot after normal driving (slight warmth is normal)
• Listen for any unusual noises during braking - scraping or grinding indicates incorrect installation or contaminated shoes
• Verify no brake fluid leaks at wheel cylinders or master cylinder reservoir

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