Drum brakes are a standard kind of brake discovered on vehicles and different autos. They encompass a rotating drum that’s hooked up to the wheel, and a set of brake sneakers that press towards the within of the drum to gradual or cease the automobile.
There are occasions when it could be essential to take away a drum brake, akin to when changing the brake sneakers or repairing the drum itself. Eradicating a drum brake could be a comparatively easy job, however you will need to observe the proper steps to keep away from damaging the brake elements. On this article, we’ll present a step-by-step information on how you can take away a drum brake safely and successfully.
Earlier than starting, you will need to collect the required instruments and supplies. You will have a lug wrench, a jack, a jack stand, a hammer, a screwdriver, and a pair of pliers. After getting gathered your instruments, you may start the method of eradicating the drum brake.
Security Precautions
Earlier than you start working in your drum brakes, it is necessary to take some security precautions to guard your self and your automobile.
First, guarantee that your automobile is parked on a degree floor and that the parking brake is engaged. This can assist to stop your automobile from rolling if you are engaged on it.
Subsequent, you may want to assemble the required instruments for the job. This features a socket wrench, a torque wrench, a flathead screwdriver, and a hammer. After getting your whole instruments, you may start the method of eradicating the drum brakes.
It is also necessary to put on security glasses and gloves when working in your brakes. This can assist to guard you from brake mud and different hazardous supplies.
Extra Security Suggestions
- By no means work in your brakes whereas the automobile is operating
- All the time use the right instruments for the job
- If you’re not comfy working in your brakes, it’s best to take your automobile to a mechanic
By following these security precautions, you may assist to make sure that you may have 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 sneakers away from the drum |
| Hammer | Used to faucet the brake drum free 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 Traces 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 may take away the brake drum.
To take away the brake drum, insert the drum brake instrument into the slot on the again of the brake drum. Flip the drum brake instrument clockwise to take away the brake drum from the axle.
| Security Precautions |
|---|
| -All the time put on security glasses when working in your automobile. -Use jack stands to help the automobile if you are engaged on it. -By no means work on a automobile that’s supported solely by a jack. -Watch out to not harm the brake traces when you find yourself disconnecting them. -All the time torque the lug nuts to the right specs when you find yourself reassembling the wheel. -By no means drive a automobile with a brake system that isn’t working correctly. |
Eradicating the Wheel
1. Park the automobile 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 automobile utilizing a jack and place a jack stand beneath 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 could want to make use of a rubber mallet to softly faucet it free.
| Drum Brake Varieties | Elimination Methodology |
|---|---|
| Main-shoe kind | Pull the drum straight off the spindle. |
| Trailing-shoe kind | Rotate the drum barely till the brake sneakers 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 damage or harm.
2. Test the within of the drum for any scoring or grooving.
3. Test the brake sneakers for any indicators of damage 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 sneakers. To take away the adjuster screw(s), you’ll need to make use of a flathead screwdriver or a brake adjuster instrument.
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 do not need screws that should be eliminated. As a substitute, they work mechanically to regulate the brake sneakers as they put on.
Disassembling the Backing Plate
With the drum and hub meeting eliminated, now you can disassemble the backing plate.
Here is a step-by-step information:
- Begin by eradicating the brake sneakers. 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 normally 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 normally hooked up 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 normally 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 damage, harm or corrosion. Test the flange the place it mates with the axle housing. If the flange is worn or broken, it could should be changed. Additionally, search for any cracks or bends within the backing plate. If the backing plate is cracked or bent, it can should be changed.
Earlier than reassembling the drum brake system, you will need to clear and examine the entire elements. This can assist to make sure that the system is working correctly and safely.
Eradicating the Drum Brake Sneakers
Step 7: Unhooking the Spring Pressure
As soon as the cotter pins are eliminated, you may have to fastidiously disengage the springs that maintain the sneakers in place. There are usually two kinds 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 sneakers. Be cautious to not harm the springs or the sneakers.
The return springs connect to the brake sneakers 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.
Keep in mind, the stress of the springs can nonetheless trigger the sneakers to leap when launched, so take additional care. As soon as the springs are unhooked, you may gently pull the brake sneakers away from the backing plate and take away them.
| Kind of Spring | Motion |
|---|---|
| Maintain-Down Spring | Retains brake sneakers involved with drum |
| Return Spring | Returns brake sneakers to their resting place |
Brake Adjustment
If you happen to’re experiencing any points along with your drum brakes, it is necessary to regulate them correctly. Here is a step-by-step information on how you can do it:
1. Park the automobile 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. Alter 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, prime it up.
6. Take a look at the brakes: Drive the automobile 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 accurately.
Wheel Cylinder Inspection
If you happen to discover any leaks or harm to the wheel cylinder, it can should be changed. Here is how you can examine the wheel cylinder:
| Test | Steps |
|---|---|
| Leaks | Study 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 damage or harm. |
If you happen to discover any points with the wheel cylinder, it is beneficial to interchange it to make sure correct brake performance.
Ultimate Inspection
After getting reassembled the brake elements, it is essential to conduct a last inspection to make sure correct performance and security. Listed below are the important thing steps concerned within the last inspection:
10. Complete Visible Inspection
Completely examine all the brake meeting for any free or incorrectly put in elements. Make sure that all bolts, nuts, and screws are correctly tightened and safe. Test for any indicators of harm or put on on the brake sneakers, drums, or different elements. If you happen to discover any points, handle them promptly.
| Merchandise | Inspection Standards |
|---|---|
| Brake sneakers | Examine for put on, cracks, or contamination |
| Brake drums | Test for scoring, put on, or overheating |
| Springs and clips | Guarantee correct stress and safe attachment |
| Wheel cylinders | Search for leaks or harm to the housing |
How you can Take a Drum Brake Off
Drum brakes are a kind of automotive brake that makes use of a rotating drum to use friction to a stationary brake shoe, slowing or stopping the automobile. Drum brakes are usually much less efficient than disc brakes, however they’re additionally inexpensive and simpler to keep up. If you might want to take a drum brake off, observe these steps:
- Park the automobile on a degree floor and interact the parking brake.
- Loosen the lug nuts on the wheel that you may be engaged on, however don’t take away them.
- Jack up the automobile 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 drag the brake drum off of the axle.
- As soon as the brake drum is off, you may disconnect the brake line from the wheel cylinder.
- Take away the brake sneakers from the backing plate.
- Examine the brake sneakers and substitute them if mandatory.
- Reassemble the brake in reverse order.
Individuals Additionally Ask
How do I do know if my drum brakes should be changed?
There are a number of indicators that your drum brakes could should be changed, together with:
- Squealing or grinding noises while you brake
- A lower in braking energy
- A pulsating feeling within the brake pedal
- Leaking brake fluid
- Worn or cracked brake sneakers
How a lot does it value to interchange drum brakes?
The price of changing drum brakes will range relying on the make and mannequin of your automobile, in addition to the labor prices in your space. Nevertheless, you may anticipate to pay between $100 and $300 for components and labor.
Can I substitute drum brakes myself?
Changing drum brakes is a comparatively easy job that may be completed with fundamental instruments. Nevertheless, you will need to observe the steps fastidiously and to examine the brakes commonly for put on and tear.
