Here is the list of possible causes:
- Service and parking brake adjustment
- Rear brake hardware
- Shoe lands or bosses
- GM clip in wheel cylinders
- Brake drum condition
- Brake shoe contamination
- Brake valving
- Friction material
How often should I replace rear drum brakes?
- The back of car is shaking when trying to brake
- The car pulls to one side when applying the brakes
- A lot of noise from the rear of the car when trying to bring the car to a stop
How do you replace the rear drum brakes?
- Slide the new or resurfaced drum over the wheel studs.
- Install lock screws in drum if equipped.
- Adjust the brakes through the drum or through the backing plate till a slight drag on the brake drum is felt.
- Reinstall the tire.
- Check brake adjustment and readjust as needed to have a slight drag on the drum. ...
- Remove the jack stand.
- Lower the jack.
How do I adjust rear drum brakes?
Part 1 of 3: Prepare to adjust the drum brakes
- Eye Protection
- Jack
- Jack stands
- Rags or paper towels
- Screwdriver
- Socket and ratchet set
- Torque wrench
How to replace rear drum brakes?
- Try to slide the brake drum on
- If necessary turn the adjuster wheel with a flat blade screwdriver
- The brake rotor should slide on with some resistance
How do you lubricate rear brake drums?
0:000:38Drum brake noise - where to lubricate - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOr the pad is this resting pad that the shoes rub on on the backside. We're going to lubricate thisMoreOr the pad is this resting pad that the shoes rub on on the backside. We're going to lubricate this one there's one down here and of course there's also one up here just slip a little Lube on them.
How do you know if your drum brakes are dragging?
1:044:41How to Test for Dragging or Sticking Brakes on Older Cars - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd look at this it'll hardly move so that's a real good test if you put hard on the brake pedal getMoreAnd look at this it'll hardly move so that's a real good test if you put hard on the brake pedal get out come this should move it may not spin freely but it'll you'll feel a little bit of drag.
How do you Unseize rear drum brakes?
0:186:48How to Remove a STUCK Drum Brake - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYourself just wiggle both sides. Make sure it spins you know the brakes aren't engaged. Make sureMoreYourself just wiggle both sides. Make sure it spins you know the brakes aren't engaged. Make sure your emergency brake isn't on this is a rear drum.
How do I release the pressure on my drum brakes?
Turn the adjuster screw to loosen the shoes.Locate the access hole on the outside of the brake drum.Turn the brake drum so that the access hole is aligned with the drum's adjuster screw. ... Turn the adjuster screw counterclockwise until it comes to a halt. ... Pull the drum off of the wheel.
What causes drum brakes to not release?
The most common causes of your brakes not releasing is a seized caliper or brake pad. This typically occurs due to rusting or ageing. Typically, you will notice your vehicle pulling to one side when you press down on your brakes.
What causes drum brakes to drag?
Brake dragging is commonly caused by broken or weak springs on the drum brakes. It can also be due to a corroded or jammed caliper piston or a caliper that has corroded bushings or mounting pins. Additionally, brake dragging can also be caused by frozen emergency brake cables as well as overextended self-adjusters.
What are the items that should be lubricated on a drum brake?
The primary lubrication points in a drum brake include the raised pads on the backing plate that support the shoes, the star adjuster mechanism, hinge points for self-adjusters or the parking brake linkage, and the parking brake cables.
Do rear drum brakes adjust themselves?
The good news is that brake drums are forgiving, and there's play built into the system. In a perfect world, drum brakes would self-adjust the way disc brakes do. In disc brakes, the caliper piston extends more and more as the pads wear.
How do you check drum brakes without removing wheels?
0:333:27How to check brake pads without removing wheel DIY - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUntil you have a clear picture of your brake caliper caliper bracket and the actual brake pad. AndMoreUntil you have a clear picture of your brake caliper caliper bracket and the actual brake pad. And as you say the brake pad outer brake pad is sunken down pretty good on this particular vehicle.
How do you bleed drum brakes?
Bleeding your drum brakes is the same process as with disc brakes. Start with the wheel that's furthest away from the car's master cylinder and work towards it. You'll find the bleeder screw on the rear of the backing plate, usually near the top. Then, remove the rubber or plastic cover that's protecting the screw.
Why does my rear brake shoe drag on the drum?
If the parking brake cable is rusted, kinked, or otherwise damaged, the rear brake shoe will not return when the parking brake is released, causing the rear shoe to drag on the drum. Do not breathe brake dust. Be careful when working around springs under tension as they can suddenly snap and cause injury.
What is a drum brake?
Car Brake image by Joelyn Pullano from Fotolia.com. Drum brakes are common on older automobiles, and on lower-cost vehicles they are still frequently used on the rear wheels. While not as effective or reliable as modern disc brakes, drum brakes have the advantage of being less expensive and lighter, and when used in the rear position they do not ...
How many clicks to set parking brake?
Set the parking brake. Typically it should take six to 10 clicks of the pedal or lever to set the brake, and the resistance of the pedal or lever should increase the further it is moved. If the parking brake is adjusted too tight then only a couple of clicks will be required to set the brake. If the trailing brake shoe in the drum is sticking, ...
What happens if your brakes are broken?
There are two return springs connecting the front and rear brake shoes, and if either of these is broken or weakened, the shoes will not retract properly and they will drag on the drum.
How long should you wait between push on brakes?
Do not pump the brakes. Allow about five seconds between each push on the brake pedal. The cylinder piston should extend when the pedal is pushed and retract when the pedal is released. A defective cylinder can remain extended and hold the shoes against the drum.
How to remove drums from a car?
Some drums are secured by two or four bolts, some by two screws, and others by nothing at all. Remove any retaining bolts or screws and pull the drums off. If the drum is seized, tap it firmly with a mallet on the front shoulder to loosen.
Where is the adjuster hole on a drum?
Also, some drums have a hole near the bottom of the drum that allows access to the adjuster mechanism. If the drum is sticking, reach through the hole with a small screw driver and turn the adjuster wheel to relieve tension on the brake shoes.
Why do my brakes lock up?
One of the most common causes of one or two wheel lockup on drum brake equipped vehicles is the service and/or parking brake adjustment. If either one or both of these adjustments are done incorrectly it can result in the rear brakes being very sensitive. It is important that before the service brakes are adjusted that the parking brake adjustment ...
What causes rear wheel lockup?
Brake shoe contamination can be the cause of rear wheel lockup. If an axle seal or wheel cylinder leaks and contaminates the brake shoe (s) it changes the coefficient of friction. If it is mild contamination then the friction is increased while severe contamination will cause a reduction in friction (See Figure 61.9).
What is rear brake hardware?
Rear brake hardware plays an important part in proper rear brake operation (See Figure 61.5). Many people think of return springs as only a way to release the brakes but in reality they also determine when the rear brakes are going to apply. A weak return spring will allow the brakes to engage too soon.
What happens if you don't adjust your parking brakes before you service them?
If the parking brake system is not de-adjusted properly before the brake shoes are adjusted it will cause the rear brakes to engage too soon.
Why do FWD vehicles have non-servo brakes?
Most FWD vehicles use a non-servo rear drum brake because of the braking balance of a FWD vehicle. These GM vehicles are “over-braked” in the rear which makes them very sensitive to rear brake problems. They are also very sensitive to the type of friction that is used.
What does it mean when a drum brake stick is on?
Having the drum brake assembly stick on can mean either the vehicle won’t move or it will create an excessive amount of heat damaging multiple components in the process. You may also see poor acceleration, poor braking performance, the vehicle pulls to one side, or an increase in fuel consumption. Ask Question.
What happens when you press the brake pedal on a brake line?
If the line partially collapses or gets partially clogged, then when you press the brake pedal, fluid will be forced into the cylinder, expanding the shoes. When you release the pedal, however, the pressure exerted in reverse by the cylinder is unable to push fluid back into the feed lines.
What to do if your wheel cylinder fails?
If that fails, then you may need to cut the hold down spring pins on the backing plate or remove the wheel cylinder completely. As for repairing the issue, you can rebuild the wheel cylinder yourself, have someone rebuild the unit for you, or purchase a new replacement. Ask Question.
How to tell if a wheel cylinder is faulty?
To determine if the wheel cylinder faulty, you should be able to push the pads inward from one side to the other if the pistons aren’t bottomed out.
Why won't my emergency brake lever feel tension?
If you try to apply the emergency brake, depending on the assemblies design or if there is an issue with both cables, you won’t feel tension on the lever. Another reason for not feeling tension on the lever is if the emergency brake is in need of adjustment.
Can you drive a car in reverse?
In a mild situation you should be able to drive the vehicle in reverse which will break the shoes free. Driving forward will most likely not work as the drum brake assembly is self energizing and will only push more against the braking surface rather than just allowing the drum to rotate.
Can you have emergency brakes on both sides of a vehicle?
This can happen to both vehicle which never have the emergency brake used or ones which are used all the time. Normally if they are used, this does reduce the risk of them sticking. This can happen to one side of both sides of a vehicle. If you recently applied the emergency brake, then this could possibly be the culprit.
Why does my brake caliper stick?
You may find that the rubber boot surrounding the caliper piston is torn, exposing it to rust and debris, which can cause the caliper to stick. The solution here is to replace the brake caliper assembly. Alternatively, if a brake hose has worn out, it can also cause the caliper to stick. In that case, replace the brake hose.
Why do my brakes squeak?
Brakes are one component that you may not give much thought to until they begin to squeal, grind or squeak. Such noises indicate that your brake system needs attention and shouldn’t be ignored. Brakes sticking is another problem not to dismiss — one with potentially serious safety considerations.
What is a drum brake?
Drum brakes have a backing plate, brake shoes, a brake drum, a wheel cylinder and return springs. Of all these parts, the brake caliper can get stuck, causing a sticking sensation, so pay attention to wheels equipped with disk brakes. One important clue that a brake caliper has a problem is when you notice the car pulling to one side ...
Why does my brake pedal feel mushy?
Here, the pedal may feel mushy or spongy and gradually push all the way to the floor when depressed.
How to tell if brake caliper is bad?
One important clue that a brake caliper has a problem is when you notice the car pulling to one side while braking or driving. Another clue is excessive heat coming off a wheel after driving. Never touch the rim, as you might get burned. Instead, you can feel heat rising just by being in proximity to the wheel.
What are the brakes on a car?
Automobile brake systems customarily include disk brakes up front and drum or disk brakes at the rear, plus tubes and hoses linking the brakes at each wheel to the master cylinder. On wheels equipped with disk brakes, you’ll find brake pads, a rotor, a caliper and caliper support. Drum brakes have a backing plate, brake shoes, a brake drum, a wheel cylinder and return springs.
mallard Veteran Member
Is the park brake cable properly releasing? They can seize up over time rather easily causing brake shoes not to release properly.
Maze New Member
Is the park brake cable properly releasing? They can seize up over time rather easily causing brake shoes not to release properly.
