Replace worn or damaged rear drum brake hardware including springs, adjusters, and hold-down clips to restore proper brake function and prevent brake failure.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Drum brake hardware kit (includes springs, adjusters, clips) × 1 — Use OEM specification or quality aftermarket
• Brake cleaner × 1 — Non-chlorinated formula
• High-temperature brake parts lubricant × 1 — Use brake-specific lubricant

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid ground and engage parking brake
2. Chock the front wheels securely
3. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground
4. Raise rear of vehicle with floor jack and support on jack stands rated for vehicle weight
5. Remove rear wheels completely
6. Take photos of the assembled drum brake hardware on both sides for reference during reassembly

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove brake drum
   Release parking brake. Remove the drum retaining screw if present. Pull the brake drum straight off the hub. If drum is stuck due to rust or brake shoe wear, tap gently around the drum edge with a rubber mallet. If still stuck, locate the adjustment access hole on the backing plate, insert a brake adjustment tool or screwdriver, and rotate the adjuster star wheel to retract the brake shoes. Use a drum puller if necessary.
2. 2

   Clean and inspect brake assembly
   Spray the entire brake assembly liberally with brake cleaner to remove dust and debris. Wipe down with a clean rag. Inspect the backing plate for damage, the wheel cylinder for leaks (any fluid seepage requires wheel cylinder replacement), and the brake drum inner surface for scoring or excessive wear. Measure drum diameter if possible; excessive wear requires drum replacement.
   ⚠Use only brake cleaner spray, never compressed air, to avoid breathing potentially hazardous brake dust.
3. 3

   Document hardware configuration
   Before disassembly, carefully note the position and orientation of all springs, clips, and adjusters. Reference your photos from the opposite side. Identify the upper return springs, lower return spring, hold-down springs and clips, adjuster cable/lever assembly, and parking brake strut. Hardware placement varies and incorrect reassembly will cause brake failure.
4. 4

   Remove return springs
   Using brake spring pliers, remove the upper return springs first by grasping the spring and rotating the tool to unhook from the anchor pin or brake shoe. Then remove the lower return spring. Work carefully as these springs are under significant tension. If you are removing brake shoes as well, proceed with shoe removal; otherwise, leave shoes in place and carefully detach springs from shoes.
   ⚠Springs are under high tension. Keep face and hands clear of spring path. Use proper brake spring pliers to maintain control.
5. 5

   Remove hold-down springs and clips
   Using brake spring pliers or a hold-down spring tool, compress and rotate each hold-down spring retainer 90 degrees to release from the pin behind the backing plate. Remove the retainer, spring, and pin. There are typically two hold-down assemblies, one for each brake shoe. Keep old hardware organized for reference.
6. 6

   Remove adjuster assembly and remaining hardware
   Disconnect the adjuster cable from the adjuster lever. Remove the adjuster lever, adjuster cable guide, and parking brake strut. Remove the automatic adjuster screw assembly (star wheel adjuster). Note the orientation of the adjuster - left and right sides are often different and not interchangeable. Remove any remaining clips or springs per your hardware kit instructions.
7. 7

   Clean backing plate contact points
   Use a wire brush to clean the six raised contact pads on the backing plate where the brake shoes rest. Remove all rust, old lubricant, and debris. These pads must be clean for proper brake shoe movement. Inspect the anchor pin at the top of the backing plate for wear or damage.
8. 8

   Lubricate backing plate contact points
   Apply a thin layer of high-temperature brake parts lubricant to the six backing plate contact pads only. Do NOT apply lubricant to the friction surface of brake shoes or drum, or to spring attachment points. Apply small amount to adjuster screw threads and socket.
   ⚠Use brake-specific high-temperature lubricant only. Never use general purpose grease which can contaminate friction surfaces.
9. 9

   Install new hardware kit components
   Begin reassembly with new hardware from the kit. Install hold-down pins from the back of the backing plate if they were removed. Position brake shoes (reusing existing shoes or installing new ones). Install new hold-down springs and retainers - compress spring and rotate retainer 90 degrees to lock. Install the parking brake strut between shoes. Install the adjuster assembly in the correct orientation for this side of the vehicle.
10. 10

    Install adjuster cable and lever
    Install the new adjuster cable guide on the anchor pin. Connect the new adjuster cable to the cable guide and adjuster lever. Position the adjuster lever to engage with the adjuster star wheel. Verify the adjuster mechanism moves freely and the cable is properly routed per your reference photos.
11. 11

    Install return springs
    Install the lower return spring first, connecting both brake shoes at the bottom. Then install the upper return springs. Use brake spring pliers to stretch springs into position. Ensure all springs are fully seated in their holes or hooks. Compare to your reference photos and the opposite side assembly to verify correct placement.
    ⚠Verify spring positioning carefully. Incorrect spring installation can cause brake failure or brake lock-up.
12. 12

    Verify assembly and adjust brakes
    Verify all hardware is installed correctly by comparing to the opposite side and your photos. Check that the adjuster star wheel rotates freely. Manually adjust the brake shoes outward by rotating the star wheel until the drum slides over the shoes with slight drag. The drum should rotate with moderate resistance but not bind.
13. 13

    Install brake drum and wheel
    Slide the brake drum over the shoes and onto the hub. Install drum retaining screw if equipped. Place wheel onto hub and hand-tighten lug nuts in a star pattern. Lower vehicle until wheel just contacts ground but vehicle weight is still on jack stands. Torque lug nuts to specification in a star pattern.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Repeat procedure on opposite side
    Raise the vehicle back onto jack stands. Move to the opposite rear wheel and repeat the entire hardware replacement procedure. It is critical that both rear brakes are serviced with matching new hardware to ensure balanced braking performance.
15. 15

    Final adjustment and brake bedding
    With vehicle still raised on jack stands and parking brake released, rotate each rear drum by hand. Adjust the star wheel adjuster through the access hole in the backing plate until you feel moderate drag, then back off 5-6 clicks until the wheel rotates freely with just slight drag. Lower vehicle completely and torque lug nuts again to specification. Pump brake pedal 10-15 times until pedal feels firm.
    ⚠️Do NOT drive vehicle until brake pedal has been pumped and feels firm. Initial test drive must be in a safe area at low speed.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Ensure both rear brake assemblies have been serviced with new hardware
2. Verify all springs, clips, and adjusters are properly installed and seated
3. Confirm brake drums rotate freely with only slight drag after adjustment
4. Ensure wheel lug nuts are torqued to specification in a star pattern on both sides

Verification

• Pump brake pedal 10-15 times - pedal should feel firm and hold steady pressure without sinking
• Check that parking brake holds vehicle on an incline and releases fully
• Perform initial test drive in a safe area at low speed (under 10 mph) to verify brakes engage smoothly without pulling to one side
• Listen for any unusual noises (squealing, grinding, clicking) which may indicate improper hardware installation
• Test service brakes at progressively higher speeds in a safe area, verifying straight stops with no pulling or vibration
• After 50-100 miles, re-check brake pedal feel and adjust if necessary through the backing plate access holes
• If vehicle pulls to one side, pedal feels soft, or any unusual behavior occurs, STOP driving immediately and re-inspect the installation or seek professional service

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