### Brake Drums

#### REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

Fig. 1: View of the common rear brake drum and shoe components

1. Loosen the rear wheel lug nuts slightly. Release the parking brake.
2. Block the front wheels, raise the rear of the car, and safely support it with jackstands.
3. Remove the lug nuts and the wheel.
4. Tap the drum lightly with a mallet to free the drum if resistance is felt. Sometimes brake drums are stubborn. If the drum is difficult to remove, perform the following:
   1. Remove the adjusting hole plug, then insert the end of a bent wire (a coat hanger will do nicely) through the hole in the brake drum and hold the automatic adjusting lever away from the adjuster.
   2. Reduce the brake shoe adjustment by turning the adjuster bolt with a brake adjuster tool. The drum should now be loose enough to remove without much effort.

      Fig. 2: Insert a brake tool or screwdriver through the backing plate adjustment hole to reduce the slack of the shoes

      To install:

5. Clean the drum and inspect it as detailed in this Section.
6. Install the brake drum and pull the parking brake lever all the way up until a clicking sound can no longer be heard.
7. Verify that the rear wheels will not turn. If the rear wheels turn, adjust the parking brake cable as necessary.
8. Release the parking brake and remove the brake drum. Measure the brake drum inside diameter and diameter of the brake shoes. Check that the difference between the diameters is the correct shoe clearance. Clearance is: 0.024 in. (6mm).
9. If the brake shoe clearance is not correct, adjust the brake shoes until the clearance is correct.
10. Reinstall the brake drum, install the wheel(s), and safely lower the vehicle. Retighten the lug nuts and pump the brake pedal before moving the vehicle.
11. Road test the vehicle for proper brake operation.