Are there any guide teach you how to change the drum brake

I am a newbie to change a drum brake. I used to change a disc brakes. So I want to know are there any video that teaches you how to change the drum brakes?

I search Youtube and several other video sites, but all of them teach you how to change a disc brakes, not drum brakes.

[discretesignals]

Best way to do drum brakes is just to do them with someone that can teach you on the spot.  You can also learn on your own.  Just do one side at a time.  You can even take a picture of the brake components so you can put them back together correctly.  There are a couple of tools to make life a whole lot easier.  You can use pliers but it is usually a pain cause they slip when you are trying to put return springs on.


This tool removes the brake shoe retaining springs.


This handy tool removes and installs the return springs on the bendix type drum brakes


For adjusting the shoes to the drum you can use this tool to rotate the star adjuster through the backing plate


Get a good set of duckbill pliers to handle springs with so you don't punch yourself in the face when installing lower shoe springs.  Unlike needlenose they have a lot better grip.

Thank for the info.
However, unfortunately, i know none of my friends who knows how to change a drum brakes.

Are there any book specially teach you how to change a drum brake.

I want to have picture by picture book.


Also, if i change the brake, should i change the brake fluent as well?

[way2old]

Do a search on the internet for your vehicle's drum brake replacement. What type vehicle are we working on?
 Here is one I found for Chrysler mini van
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfGTsViF ... ed&search=

Rear drums are not that complicated once you learn. Most  vehicles are similar. Don't let it scare you, lol.

Basically 4 actions to it.

The wheel cylinder which expands the shoes by hydraulic pressure.
The springs that retract the shoes back.
The emergency brake cable which expands the shoes by mechanical leverage/pressure.
The self adjuster to keep shoes expanded against drum as they wear.

Proper tools make the job alot easier, but the job can be accomplished with needle nose pliers, channel locks and a screw driver.

If I was you, I would jack the whole rear end up, support with jack stands, leave the floor jack under it also, remove both tires. Be extremely careful you are working with a well secured operation to prevent the car from falling on you. People have been killed this way. Do the brakes on one side while using the other side as a guide how to put it back together. Monkey see, monkey do,lol.

Some need to know....
As drums wear, they get a lip on the edge making them impossible to remove untill you back off the slack adjuster gear retracting the shoes a little bit. This is accomplished through a little hole/window on the back side of the wheel directly opposite the slack adjuster gear. You can reach a screw driver in the window to move the gear. One side is left handed threads while the other side is right handed threads. Shine a light in there first to see the gear and threads to retract.
Smooth drums might allow you to remove them without backing the gear off. Never beat on the drums with a hammer as it is cast an breaks easily. A rubber mallet is okay.

Have drum turned if there is a lip on the edge. Replace drums if cracked. Some you might see spider cracks caused by excessive heat. Turning might cut these cracks out.


Any broke/worn springs, leaky wheel cylinders or other parts are readily available at chain auto parts stores. Most of the time you won't need additional parts. Just sometimes on older vehicles.

Installation...
Make sure everything is clean.
Small shoe pad towards front of vehicle, long shoe pad towards the back.
Mount shoes, cross bar, then springs, emergency brake, then slack adjuster is last.....top to bottom, lol. You have to be strong to expand springs to hook with pliers. That's where proper tools come into play, lol.

Before putting drum back on, thoughly with brake cleaner and let dry.
Expand slack adjuster gear to where you can't put drum on. Then retract to the point where the drum will just go on without force. This will be close enough for the slack adjusters to do their thing while driving.