How to Replace Rear Drum Brakes With Disc Brakes

Most all of the newer make and model vehicles come with front and rear disc brakes, but there are some vehicles that do come equipped with drum brakes. The drum brakes can be converted to disc brakes so that the vehicle will have a four wheel disc braking system. The disc brakes are designed to stop the vehicle by applying friction to the sides of the brake rotor when the brake pedal is compressed. The drum brake to disc brake conversion will prevent from having to use two different types of braking components.

Instructions

Park the vehicle on a level surface and shut the engine off. Slide the wheel chocks in the front of both front wheels and behind both front wheels.

Loosen the lug nuts on both rear wheels about one-quarter of a turn counterclockwise with a tire tool. Jack the rear of the vehicle up and place the jack stands under the designated rear jacking points on both sides of the vehicle. Lower the vehicle onto the stands and leave the jack in place.

Remove all of the lug nuts from the rear wheels. Pull the wheels off and place them flat down near each work area. Move to the driver's side rear brake drum and pull it off with your hands. If the drum is stuck, use a rubber mallet to tap the drum off of the brake shoes. Place the drum on the ground.

Remove the upper springs from the brake shoes with the brake shoe spring removal tool. Remove the retainer clips from the front sides of each brake shoe. Reach inside of the brake shoes and pull the retainer springs off of the retainers. Slide the parking brake cable off of the anchor pin. Pull the brake shoes apart and off of the spindle backing plate. Discard the brake shoes. Pull the brake shoe star adjuster wheel off of the bottom of the backing plate. Loosen and remove the brake line from the back of the backing plate with a open end wrench.

Remove the contents from the disc brake conversion kit to ensure that all of the braking components are there. Pull the rotor bearing out of the kit and secure it inside of the brake rotor. Slide the brake rotor onto the spindle and completely up against the backing plate. Secure the rotor to the backing plate with the brake rotor mounting bolts. The bolts screw into the back side of the rotor and the back side of the backing plate.

Remove the brake caliper assembly and the brake pads from the disc brake conversion kit. Insert the two new disc brake pads into the brake caliper. Slide the caliper assembly over the brake rotor. Screw the mounting bolts through the back of the backing plate and through the caliper bracket. Tighten the caliper bracket bolts with a ratchet and a socket. Clip the parking brake cable onto the designated area on the back of the brake caliper. Screw the brake line into the rear of the caliper. Tighten the brake line with a open end wrench. Screw the two upper and lower caliper mounting bolts through the back of the caliper and into the caliper bracket. Tighten the caliper mounting bolts with a ratchet and a socket.

Torque the caliper bracket mounting bolts to 50 foot-pounds and the caliper mounting bolts to 35 foot-pounds with a torque wrench and a socket. Torque the brake rotor mounting bolts to 100 foot-pounds with the torque wrench and a socket. Inspect the new disc braking components to ensure that all of the components are in place and properly tightened. Slide the wheel onto the hub and screw the lug nuts on tightly. Move to the passenger's side rear wheel and repeat the same process as outlined above to convert the drum brakes to disc brakes.

Jack the rear of the vehicle back up and remove the jack stands. Lower the vehicle to the ground and remove the jack. Finish tightening the lug nuts down tight on both rear wheels. Crank the engine and pump the brake pedal in and out five or six times to position the disc brake pads to the proper distance from the brake rotor.