replace drum brakes

if you don't feel confident, don't bother. It will cost a few quid in your local garage. the last thing you want is to kill yourself or someone else.

Drum brakes can be a pain. If you're not entirely confident that you'll be able to get all the springs and widgets back on take it to a garage. If you're attempting it yourself it's not a difficult job but take digital photos first.

Si

The message from "Mungo \"Two Sheds\" Toadfoot" contains these words:

And remember that one side is (usually) a mirror image of the other. I've seen people come unstuck following copious notes made for the other wheel.

Wot he said.

Si

The message from "Mungo \"Two Sheds\" Toadfoot" contains these words:

Ah, you too!

Often the biggest problem is getting the drum itself off!

Make sure you have a range of pliars to hold and stretch springs.

It is often very awkward to take the shoes off or to put them back on. If it's a first time you need to be patient and mechanically minded on how to put them back. Manuals rarely tell you how to!

You are in luck. These instructions are for Echo/Yaris (also applicable in other models).

Jack car up and chock the front wheels. Remove rear wheels. Take off handbrake. Slacken off handbrake adjustor. If there's a retaining screw, undo it. Pull off drum. If it doesn't come off, get a lump hammer and whack it from side to side then try.

Wind back the brake shoe self adjuster. Get some sandpaper and give brake shoes a good rub. Make sure new drum is degreased. Fit new drum. Fit retaining screw. Pump up foot brake. Adjust the handbrake cable until the drum feels like it is just starting to bind. Apply copperslip to the face where the wheelrim hub contacts the drum. Refit wheel

etc...

Sort of - I thought "I'll remember where everything goes" and made no notes at all before whipping the shoes out, relying, later, solely on Mr.Haynes tiny photographs to re-assemble the Capri's brakes.

As I remember there was a choice of shoes available so they had to be taken to the shop to be compared to the new ones. Being young and in a hurry...

Si

That brought the horrors flooding back - especially the handbrake connection. It all looks so simple when it's assembled. Take them apart without making notes, or taking photos, at your peril.

I usually remove the pins then oik the shoes and springs off the cylinder in one piece, rather than removing the springs beforehand.

Si

You did that so fast I didn't even see you replace the brakes!

Si

The message from "Mungo \"Two Sheds\" Toadfoot" contains these words:

Drum brakes are /full/ of pingfuckits.

And remember to check the condition of the cylinders. Very annoying to replaced the shoes then dump brake fluid all over them a week later.

tea >> monitor moment.

And as we know, a pingfuckit's natural habitat is a) long grass or b) down drains and they have a very strong desire to return to their roots.

Si

THought he was just replacing the drums? Ah well. Been a looong day.