Drum brake question

[psdguy95]

My rear wheel cylinders started leaking so i'm replacing everything. I have a few questions though.

How hard is it to change the shoes? I've never done it before.

Do i have to have the drums on when i bleed the new wheel cylinders?

Is there a special way to bleed the new parts?

 

[96stacked&smoken]

yes you have to have the drums on or the ends of the cylinders will shoot out. just take one side apart at a time and youl be fine that way you can look at the other side to see how it goes. i recommend new springs while you got it apart. to bleed just get one guy at a bleeder screw and a guy pressing the pedal down.pump it a few times then bleed and repeat till no bubbles. just go all the way arond to each one to be safe. good luck

 

[psdguy95]

I have new hardware for them. My front bleeders arent going to open though.

 

[96stacked&smoken]

as long as the back ones do it should work just mite take longer

 

[psdguy95]

Yeah the back ones will. What's a good way to make a non-directional finish on my drums? Without takin them to a shop.

 

[Irishcream]

Get yourself a brake spring tool. Save your knuckles. It'll cost a couple of bucks for the tool at most parts stores so it's money well spent. Trust me, those springs are real tight.

 

[96stacked&smoken]

yes they are i use pliers and hurt myself everytime.lol they only charge 10 bucks a piece to turn them at like orielies or some were. thats what i always do except now we got one at my school.lol

 

[psdguy95]

I'll take them in then. Thanks for the input guys!

 

[Tom S]

A digital camera is also hand to document how it all goes back together.

 

[TxFireman1972]

I agree take a picture!! I also sometimes pull both drums off and only take one side apart at a time. That way I can see where everything goes lol. Luckily I don't deal with drum brakes much any more.

 

[pjwoolw]

Needle nose Vise Grips also work in a pinch on those rotten springs.

I'd get the drums turned though.

 

[Patrick Feeley]

Another note: Your new brake shoes will have different friction surface lengths (all four are NOT the same). One shorter one and one longer one per side with the longer one to the rear of the truck on each side. Cheers!

 

[cowboy_dan]

One thing you HAVE to make sure of is that you get the front shoe on the front, and the rear shoe on the rear. The friction material on one shoe will be longer than the other for each side. I can never remember which is the front, so make sure you check against the existing shoes when you pull them off. If you get them backwards, it's like driving with the parking brake on.

When I do drums, I like to get both drums off and lay them directly under the backing plate. They're handy for holding things like screwdrivers or spring tools.
Then lay out one pair of shoes, a set of new springs, and your tools (pliers, vice-grips, and sweet iced tea).
Now sit down and slowly remove the springs. If you take a spring off the right (as you're sitting down) of the assembly, put it on a tray or on the floor to your right. If you take a spring off the left side of the assembly, lay it to your left. Same with the shoes.
That way when you go to put everything back together, you know instantly which side of the assembly something goes on. Then if you have any questions, you can also look at the other side.

 

[psdguy95]

I will be using the opposite side for reference. I'm also going to get them turned a little.

 

[SPEEDDEMON31176]

In this day and age you most likely have a cell phone that takes pictures. Take a couple of pics for reference. No way to screw it up then.

 

[96stacked&smoken]

some people are against it but iv saved a bunch of money just turning them. have to make sure there still thick enough tho. i love how everyone repeated what i just told him.lol just messin.

 

[genuineford]

Be sure you get the adjuster back in the right way also otherwise when you apply the brakes it will loosen up the brake shoes and not tighten them up. I say this because when I got my truck it had a very low pedal when I pulled the drums off to check things I found one of the adjusters in backward and closed up all the way.

 

[psdguy95]

Be sure you get the adjuster back in the right way also otherwise when you apply the brakes it will loosen up the brake shoes and not tighten them up. I say this because when I got my truck it had a very low pedal when I pulled the drums off to check things I found one of the adjusters in backward and closed up all the way.

What so you mean by a low pedal? I think my grandpas truck might have that same issue.

 

[cowboy_dan]

What so you mean by a low pedal? I think my grandpas truck might have that same issue.

If the shoes are backed off all the way, the cylinder that actuates them will go to full travel well farther than it should to make the shoes contact the drums. This takes a lot more fluid to move them, which means it takes a lot more pedal travel.

 

[genuineford]

If the shoes are backed off all the way, the cylinder that actuates them will go to full travel well farther than it should to make the shoes contact the drums. This takes a lot more fluid to move them, which means it takes a lot more pedal travel.

:whs: