Any tips for changing brake shoes?

[pesty]

Got in the GF's car the other day for the first time in about six months and imediately noticed that the back brakes were amking the most horrible grinding noises when braking and also the brake peddle disapears right down to the carpet before it actualy does anything

Ive ordered new shoes and as the car has done 110k miles i got drums as well cos they were cheap and brake fliud to bleed the whole system.

Any tips for changing the shoes. Only done it once before and remember them being a right pain

[trooper1212]

remember how they go back together

{bang} {bang}

"hmmm... seems a tight fit"

{bang} {bang}

"yep, very tight"

{bang} {bang}

"Damn! That was a tight fit!"

Put the other side on and realise they you have put one of the springs in the wrong hole...
Removing an incorrectly fitted drum and shoes is an exercise in practical physics.

[pesty]

Ahem....

Took wheel off
strugled to undo counter sunk screws for half an hour.
give up go buy impact driver.
remove screws ok.
batter hell out of drums for an hour with soft blow hammer.
give up
go buy M8 bolts
screw bolts into holes to try and remove drums.
drums wont budge.
batter hell out of drums.
drums still wont budge.

give up

[pesty]

whats a handbrake?

[gary_tholl]

If the drum isn't visibly loose, which I'll guess it isn't, then it's likely siezed onto the hub at the center. Get a torch and heat the drum red hot around the hub, then give it a hella big whack with a BFH. Should pop off.

Once you're in that far, do one side at a time! Do not take both sides apart. This leaves the other side to inspect when you realize that you have no idea how it goes back together.

Gary