Replace worn drum brake hardware including springs, clips, and adjusters on the rear brakes to restore proper brake shoe operation and reliability.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Drum brake hardware kit (per wheel) × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Brake drums (if worn beyond service limit) × 2 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

• DOT 3 Brake Fluid — 0.25 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid ground and engage parking brake (front wheels will hold vehicle when rear is raised)
2. Chock the front wheels securely on both sides
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 on jack stands at proper jacking points on rear subframe
5. Remove rear wheels completely
6. Take photographs of brake assembly from multiple angles before disassembly for reference during reassembly
7. Spray brake assembly thoroughly with brake parts cleaner and wipe away dust and debris
8. Verify new hardware kit contents match existing components

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove brake drum
   Pull the brake drum straight off the hub. If drum is stuck due to rust or brake shoe wear, there are two small threaded holes in the drum face - thread in M8 bolts evenly to push the drum off the hub. If drum binds on brake shoes, locate the rubber access plug on the backing plate, remove it, and use a flat screwdriver to push the parking brake lever/adjuster to retract the shoes. On 2014-2019 Corolla, parking brake must be fully released for drum removal.
2. 2

   Document and inspect assembly
   With drum removed, compare your assembly to the opposite side (which remains assembled). Note the routing of all springs and position of hardware. Inspect the brake drum inner surface for scoring, heat cracks, or excessive wear. Measure drum diameter if possible - maximum diameter is typically 200.0mm (7.87 inches). Inspect wheel cylinder for any signs of brake fluid leakage at the dust boots.
   ⚠If drum shows deep scoring, cracks, or measures beyond service limit, it must be replaced. Machining drums is not recommended for this application.
3. 3

   Remove upper return spring
   Using brake spring pliers or hook tool, carefully remove the upper return spring connecting the tops of both brake shoes. This is typically a heavy-duty spring under significant tension. Grip the spring securely and work the hook end off the shoe anchor point. Note the orientation and which holes the spring uses on each shoe.
   ⚠Control the spring carefully during removal - if it slips it can cause injury or damage components.
4. 4

   Remove hold-down springs and pins
   Remove the brake shoe hold-down springs and pins from both shoes. These typically use a cup washer, spring, and pin that passes through the backing plate. Press the cup washer inward while rotating 90 degrees to align the slot with the pin head, then release. Remove both front and rear shoe hold-downs. Keep these organized as they may be part of the hardware kit.
5. 5

   Remove brake shoes and lower hardware
   Carefully separate the brake shoes from the backing plate. Disconnect the parking brake cable from the parking brake lever on the rear shoe by compressing the cable spring or releasing the cable end. Remove the lower return spring connecting the shoe bottoms. Remove the adjuster assembly (threaded star wheel mechanism) noting its orientation - it has a specific left/right side orientation. Remove any additional clips or springs connecting the shoes.
6. 6

   Remove old hardware from shoes
   Remove the parking brake lever from the rear shoe by removing the C-clip or horseshoe clip that retains it to the shoe pin. Note the position of any wave washers or shims. If the hardware kit includes new shoe contact pads or clips that attach to the shoes, remove the old ones. Clean the shoe contact surfaces with a wire brush.
7. 7

   Clean and prepare backing plate
   Clean all brake dust and debris from the backing plate using brake parts cleaner. Wire brush the six raised shoe contact pads on the backing plate (three on each side where shoes slide). Inspect the wheel cylinder boots for leaks - if fluid is present, wheel cylinder replacement is required before proceeding. Clean the adjuster mechanism and parking brake lever pivot points.
8. 8

   Lubricate contact points
   Apply a thin layer of high-temperature brake grease to the six raised contact pads on the backing plate where the brake shoe webs slide. Do NOT get grease on the friction surface of shoes or drum. Apply small amount of grease to the threads of the adjuster star wheel mechanism and to the parking brake lever pivot point. Grease the hold-down pin contact points on backing plate.
   ⚠Use brake grease sparingly - excess grease can contaminate brake linings and cause brake failure.
9. 9

   Install new hardware on brake shoes
   Install the parking brake lever onto the rear brake shoe using new clip from hardware kit. Ensure any wave washers are in correct position. Install new shoe contact pads or anti-rattle clips if included in hardware kit. Compare new springs to old to verify correct replacement - springs should match in length, wire thickness, and hook configuration.
10. 10

    Install adjuster and lower spring
    Position the adjuster mechanism between the lower portions of both shoes in correct orientation (left and right adjusters are different - the star wheel should be accessible from the rear of the assembly). Install the new lower return spring connecting the bottoms of both shoes. Ensure spring hooks are fully seated in the shoe holes.
11. 11

    Install shoes on backing plate
    Position both brake shoes onto the backing plate, engaging the tops in the wheel cylinder pistons and bottoms on the anchor pin or adjuster slots. Connect the parking brake cable to the parking brake lever. Install the new hold-down pins, springs, and cup washers on both shoes - press cup inward, rotate 90 degrees to lock. Verify shoes are properly positioned in wheel cylinder slots and on anchor points.
12. 12

    Install upper return spring and verify
    Install the new upper return spring between the tops of both shoes. This requires significant force - use brake spring pliers and ensure the spring hooks are fully seated in the correct holes on both shoes. Verify all springs are properly installed by comparing to the reference side. Check that parking brake lever moves freely and returns when released. Manually spread shoes slightly and verify adjuster star wheel rotates.
13. 13

    Adjust and install drum
    Rotate the adjuster star wheel to expand the shoes until they nearly contact the drum diameter. Clean the drum inner surface with brake cleaner. Install the drum over the shoes - it should slide on with slight resistance. If drum won't install, back off adjuster. Once drum is on, adjust shoes outward until slight drag is felt when rotating drum, then back off adjuster 3-4 clicks. Drum should rotate freely with minimal drag.
14. 14

    Complete opposite side
    Repeat the entire procedure (steps 1-13) on the opposite rear wheel. Ensure both sides have identical spring configurations and adjustment. Having one side complete as reference makes the second side easier.
15. 15

    Install wheels and perform final checks
    Install rear wheels and hand-tighten lug nuts in star pattern. Lower vehicle until wheels just contact ground. Torque lug nuts to specification in star pattern. Fully lower vehicle and remove jack stands. Pump brake pedal slowly until firm pedal is achieved (typically 5-10 pumps). Check brake fluid reservoir level and top off with DOT 3 fluid if needed. Test parking brake engagement.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Always torque wheel lug nuts in proper star pattern sequence to prevent wheel distortion
2. Brake pedal may feel low initially - pump several times to seat shoes against drums before driving
3. New springs and hardware will require 200-300 miles of break-in for optimal brake feel

Verification

• Pump brake pedal and verify firm pedal is achieved within 3-4 pumps with engine off
• Test parking brake - should hold vehicle firmly on an incline with 4-6 clicks of travel
• Perform multiple low-speed brake applications in a safe area to verify even braking without pulling to either side
• Re-check brake fluid level after test drive - should be between MIN and MAX marks
• Listen for any unusual noises during brake application - scraping or grinding indicates misaligned components
• After 50-100 miles, re-check wheel lug nut torque and verify drums rotate without excessive drag when wheel is off ground
• Have brake system professionally inspected if pedal feel is abnormal, vehicle pulls during braking, or any unusual symptoms occur

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