Changing your car’s rear brake shoes is a crucial aspect of vehicle maintenance. Worn-out brake shoes can lead to unsafe driving conditions, decreased braking efficiency, and increased wear on other components. In this article, we will guide you through the process of changing your rear brake shoes.

Before starting, make sure you have the necessary tools and supplies, including a jack, jack stands, lug wrench, proper brake shoes for your vehicle, brake cleaner, a wire brush, a small pry bar or screwdriver, and an adjustable wrench.

Step 1: Safety First

Park your car on a flat surface and engage the parking brake. Use wheel chocks to secure the front wheels so that the car does not roll when lifted.

Step 2: Lift the Vehicle

Use the jack to lift the rear of your car high enough for you to work underneath comfortably. Place jack stands underneath the car’s frame to ensure stability while working.

Step 3: Remove Tires

Using a lug wrench, remove the lug nuts holding the rear tires and then carefully remove the tires themselves.

Step 4: Remove Drum

Once the tire is removed, pull off the brake drum. If it’s stuck or difficult to remove, tap around its edges using a rubber mallet to loosen it up.

Step 5: Examine Brake Assembly

Inspect the entire brake assembly for wear or damage. Make a note of how all components are arranged so you can correctly reassemble everything later.

Step 6: Remove Brake Shoes

Using a small pry bar or screwdriver and adjustable wrench as needed, disconnect the parking brake cable from one end of the brake shoe assembly. Detach all springs connecting both shoes together and remove them from their mounting points on the backing plate.

Step 7: Clean Components

Use a wire brush to clean away rust and debris from essential parts, such as the wheel cylinder, brake adjuster, and backing plate. Spray a generous amount of brake cleaner on these components to ensure they are free of contaminants.

Step 8: Install New Brake Shoes

Attach the new brake shoes to the backing plate by securing them in place with their respective springs and hooks. Reconnect parking brake cable to the appropriate shoe. Make sure that the brake adjuster is set correctly to ensure proper braking.

Step 9: Reassemble Brake Assembly

Reattach drum and give it a few spins to make sure it’s properly seated. If you’ve set up everything correctly, you should experience even resistance when spinning the drum.

Step 10: Reinstall Tires

Put the tires back on and tighten the lug nuts using a star pattern, making sure they’re secure but not over tightened.

Step 11: Lower Vehicle

Slowly lower your vehicle off the jack stands using your floor jack, making sure it’s evenly supported before fully lowering it onto the ground.

Step 12: Test Drive

Go for a test drive to confirm that everything is working as it should and that your vehicle’s braking performance has improved.

Changing rear brake shoes can be a challenging yet rewarding experience. Regularly inspecting and servicing your vehicle’s brakes will keep you and your passengers safe on the road.