How to Change the Drum Brakes on a 1999 Chevy Tahoe

The Chevrolet Tahoe is a full-size SUV manufactured by GM. It has four wheel disc brakes for general stopping and rear wheel drum brakes for the parking brake. The disc brakes need to be changed regularly while the drum brakes may not need to be changed over the life of the vehicle, unless it becomes damaged, such as by driving with the parking brake frequently engaged.

Instructions

Park the Tahoe on a solid, level surface.

Use a tire iron to loosen the lug nuts on both rear wheels.

Place a floor jack under the rear differential, lift the back of the Tahoe, then slide jack stands below the frame, just in front of the rear wheel wells.

Lower the back end of the Tahoe onto the jack stands.

Remove the lug nuts and the rear tires.

Use a wrench and socket set to loosen the outer set of bolts on the back of the disc brake assembly.

Remove the bolts on the inner set of bolts on the back of the disc brake assembly and remove the whole assembly.

Take off the caliper pins (outer set of bolts) from the brake assembly and separate the brake caliper from the assembly housing.

Place a wooden block over the caliper piston and hook a C-clamp over the block and the caliper housing. Tighten the clamp until the piston is protruding about 1/8 inch from the housing.

Hook the drum puller arms evenly around the edge of the brake rotor then screw the center bolt until it is against the axle hub.

Place the wrench on the end of the center bolt and tight the bolt 1/4 of a turn. If the drum starts to slide off of the axle, continue turning then remove the drum. Otherwise, gently tap around the outside of the drum with the hammer and turn the wrench another 1/4 turn. Repeat the tapping/turning process until the drum comes off easily.

Unhook the springs from the brake shoes using needle-nose pliers.

Unhook the brake shoes from the caliper and remove the shoes from the assembly by hand.

Hook the new brake shoes onto the caliper then connect the springs to the brake shoes. You may need to use the pliers to connect the springs to the brake shoes.

Slide the new brake drum over the brake assembly and fit it squarely onto the axle hub.

Place the disc brake housing over the brake rotor and insert the bolts. There should be a brake pad on either side of the rotor, and the pad portion should be pressed up against the rotor.

Loosen the C-clamp on the disc brake housing and remove the clamp and wooden block.

Place the brake caliper over the disc brake housing and insert the caliper pins to hold it in place.

Tighten the brake assembly bolts and the caliper pins using the wrench and socket set.

Repeat the drum brake changing procedure for the other side of the Tahoe.

Place the tires over the axle hubs and screw on the lug nuts.

Lift up the rear of the Tahoe by the differential using the floor jack.

Remove the jack stands then lower the back end of the Tahoe to the ground.

Tighten all of the rear lug nuts using the tire iron.