Drum brakes are a typical kind of brake discovered on vehicles and different autos. They include a rotating drum that’s connected to the wheel, and a set of brake footwear that press in opposition to the within of the drum to gradual or cease the car.
There are occasions when it could be essential to take away a drum brake, reminiscent of when changing the brake footwear or repairing the drum itself. Eradicating a drum brake generally is a comparatively easy job, however you will need to observe the right steps to keep away from damaging the brake elements. On this article, we are going to present a step-by-step information on take away a drum brake safely and successfully.
Earlier than starting, you will need to collect the mandatory instruments and supplies. You’ll need a lug wrench, a jack, a jack stand, a hammer, a screwdriver, and a pair of pliers. After you have gathered your instruments, you’ll be able to start the method of eradicating the drum brake.
Security Precautions
Earlier than you start working in your drum brakes, it is vital to take some security precautions to guard your self and your car.
First, guarantee that your car is parked on a degree floor and that the parking brake is engaged. This may assist to forestall your car from rolling when you are engaged on it.
Subsequent, you will want to collect the mandatory instruments for the job. This features a socket wrench, a torque wrench, a flathead screwdriver, and a hammer. After you have all your instruments, you’ll be able to start the method of eradicating the drum brakes.
It is also vital to put on security glasses and gloves when working in your brakes. This may 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’ll be able to assist to make sure that you’ve a secure and profitable expertise when eradicating your drum brakes.
| Instrument | 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 footwear away from the drum |
| Hammer | Used to faucet the brake drum unfastened 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 Instrument
7. Gloves
8. Torque Wrench
Disconnecting the Brake Strains and Eradicating the Drums
As soon as the wheel is eliminated, you’ll need 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’ll be able to take away the brake drum.
To take away the brake drum, insert the drum brake software into the slot on the again of the brake drum. Flip the drum brake software 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 help 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 strains 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’s not working correctly. |
Eradicating the Wheel
1. Park the car on a degree floor and interact the parking brake.
2. Loosen the lug nuts on the wheel you might be 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 fort nut on the spindle.
2. Use a socket wrench to loosen the fort nut, however don’t take away it utterly.
3. Grip the brake drum with each palms and pull it straight off the spindle. The drum could also be caught, so you might want to make use of a rubber mallet to softly faucet it unfastened.
| Drum Brake Sorts | Elimination Methodology |
|---|---|
| Main-shoe kind | Pull the drum straight off the spindle. |
| Trailing-shoe kind | Rotate the drum barely till the brake footwear 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 wear and tear or harm.
2. Test the within of the drum for any scoring or grooving.
3. Test the brake footwear for any indicators of wear and tear or contamination.
4. If any of the elements 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 usually situated on the again of the brake plate and are used to regulate the brake footwear. To take away the adjuster screw(s), you’ll need to make use of a flathead screwdriver or a brake adjuster software.
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 should not have screws that must be eliminated. As an alternative, they work routinely to regulate the brake footwear 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 footwear. They’re usually held in place by springs or clips. Use a screwdriver or pliers to fastidiously 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 connected to the backing plate with a bracket or clip. Use a wrench or pliers to fastidiously 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 wear and tear, harm or corrosion. Test the flange the place it mates with the axle housing. If the flange is worn or broken, it could must be changed. Additionally, search for any cracks or bends within the backing plate. If the backing plate is cracked or bent, it can must be changed.
Earlier than reassembling the drum brake system, you will need to clear and examine all the elements. This may assist to make sure that the system is working correctly and safely.
Eradicating the Drum Brake Footwear
Step 7: Unhooking the Spring Pressure
As soon as the cotter pins are eliminated, you will have to fastidiously disengage the springs that maintain the footwear in place. There are usually two varieties 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 footwear. Be cautious to not harm the springs or the footwear.
The return springs connect to the brake footwear 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.
Bear in mind, the strain of the springs can nonetheless trigger the footwear to leap when launched, so take further care. As soon as the springs are unhooked, you’ll be able to gently pull the brake footwear away from the backing plate and take away them.
| Kind of Spring | Motion |
|---|---|
| Maintain-Down Spring | Retains brake footwear in touch with drum |
| Return Spring | Returns brake footwear to their resting place |
Brake Adjustment
In the event you’re experiencing any points together with your drum brakes, it is vital to regulate them correctly. This is a step-by-step information on 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. Modify the brakes till there’s a slight drag when the wheel is turned by hand: The wheel shouldn’t lock up.
5. Test the brake fluid degree: If it is low, high it up.
6. Check the brakes: Drive the car at a low velocity 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 things is working appropriately.
Wheel Cylinder Inspection
In the event you discover any leaks or harm to the wheel cylinder, it can must be changed. This is examine the wheel cylinder:
| Test | Steps |
|---|---|
| Leaks | Look at the wheel cylinder for any indicators of fluid leaks or stains. |
| Harm | Examine the wheel cylinder for any cracks, dents, or different harm. |
| Seals | Test the rubber seals on the wheel cylinder for any indicators of wear and tear or harm. |
In the event you discover any points with the wheel cylinder, it is really useful to interchange it to make sure correct brake performance.
Closing Inspection
After you have reassembled the brake elements, 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 the complete brake meeting for any unfastened or incorrectly put in elements. Be certain that all bolts, nuts, and screws are correctly tightened and safe. Test for any indicators of harm or put on on the brake footwear, drums, or different elements. In the event you discover any points, deal with them promptly.
| Merchandise | Inspection Standards |
|---|---|
| Brake footwear | Examine for put on, cracks, or contamination |
| Brake drums | Test for scoring, put on, or overheating |
| Springs and clips | Guarantee correct rigidity and safe attachment |
| Wheel cylinders | Search for leaks or harm to the housing |
How one can Take a Drum Brake Off
Drum brakes are a sort 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 usually much less efficient than disc brakes, however they’re additionally cheaper and simpler to take care of. If you want to take a drum brake off, observe these steps:
- Park the car on a degree floor and interact 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 help it with jack stands.
- Take away the lug nuts and take off the wheel.
- Take away the cotter pin from the fort nut on the brake drum.
- Loosen the fort 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’ll be able to disconnect the brake line from the wheel cylinder.
- Take away the brake footwear from the backing plate.
- Examine the brake footwear and exchange them if vital.
- Reassemble the brake in reverse order.
Individuals Additionally Ask
How do I do know if my drum brakes must be changed?
There are a number of indicators that your drum brakes might must be changed, together with:
- Squealing or grinding noises once you brake
- A lower in braking energy
- A pulsating feeling within the brake pedal
- Leaking brake fluid
- Worn or cracked brake footwear
How a lot does it value to interchange drum brakes?
The price of changing drum brakes will differ relying on the make and mannequin of your car, in addition to the labor prices in your space. Nevertheless, you’ll be able to anticipate to pay between $100 and $300 for components and labor.
Can I exchange drum brakes myself?
Changing drum brakes is a comparatively easy job that may be executed with primary instruments. Nevertheless, you will need to observe the steps fastidiously and to examine the brakes usually for put on and tear.
