changing brake shoes

[dalebrignall]

i am a bit of a novice,can anyone explain to me how to change the rear brake shoes. i can get the wheel and the drum off what do i do next,thanks for your help.

[bmcecosse]

Slacken the adjuster right off - lever that shoe up and pull out the adjuster. Then carefully note where the springs and shoes are located - maybe take a digital picture - then lever the shoes off the cylinder and remove the front spring - then wiggle the shoes off the rear spring and remove. Fit new shoes in reverse sequence! You really should get a Haynes manual - or let the Library get it for you!
Note - if the old shoes etc are covered in oil then no point fitting new until the leak has been sorted (may be axle oil or hydraulic fluid) and everything cleaned up and de-greased. And - don't breathe in any dust in/around the drum and backplate - the shoes may be old enough to contain asbestos

[Nadir]

In which case they'll probably have the beehive springs fitted as well. V hard to remove without breaking, but not strictly necessary and easily replaceable if you feel the urge. I'd say that you definitely need a haynes BOL for peace of mind,

[bmcecosse]

Haven't seen bee-hives in years! If present - just push - twist them off with pliers - really not necessary to have them - but refit if you wish!

[Kevin]

Dale dont mean to nit pick but what makes you think the shoes need changing, do you want to borrow a branch manual at the next meet if so I will get Fred to bring a selection along as its the AGM.

[alex_holden]

In which case they'll probably have the beehive springs fitted as well. V hard to remove without breaking, but not strictly necessary and easily replaceable if you feel the urge.

I've never broken one. They're harder to fit than to remove.

[dunketh]

My best tip would be - Use BIG pliers.

You can grab the shoes at their ends and lift them off the pistons far more easily with a decent set of pliers. Makes all the difference.

When re-fitting you'll probably find the springs fall off the back a few times, they need to be fitted between the shoes before you try and pull the lot back into place so this is un-avoidable. Its all part of the 'fun'.

[dalebrignall]

thanks folks kevin i have a manual,i adjusted the brakes up a few weeks ago and the rear shoes are on the last notch of the snail cam .they do not look that worn down though.

[Orkney]

Same here - replaced everything apart from the snails - gather they can wear out so will need replacing just as soon as the lottery win comes in

[bmcecosse]

The 'snails' only adjust up the front edge of the leading shoe (and the shoes shuffle about to re-centralise) - it's perfectly possible to put a shim (about 1/16") under the shoes at the rear pivot point - and then much more adjustment is possible.

[RogerRust]

THere speaks a scot!

[bmcecosse]

An impoverished retired Scot!!