Rear brakes are a lot harder to change than front brakes. Stuck drums, springs, dust and a variety of other obstacles makes the job difficult. However, the job is not impossible if you use a little planning and have the right tools on hand. If you work slowly and carefully, you will succeed.
Right Tools
First, you must have the right tools. This includes two safety jack stands, safety blocks, a rubber mallet, a stiff paintbrush, a variety of pliers and a disposable respirator. Parking the car on a hard, flat surface is a requirement any time you work on brakes.
Stuck Drum
After you remove the tire, the drum may not come off easily. Make sure you do not have the parking brake set, if the drums are on the rear wheels. Setting the parking brake will expand out the pads, also called shoes, making drum removal impossible. If the parking brake is off, hit the drum with the rubber mallet to free it. Do not use a steel hammer, since the drum may crack. If it is an antique car, new drums may be impossible to find. Think safety first, since the parking brake must be off. This is why the car must be on a level surface, with wheel chocks on the wheels you are not working on. Furthermore, safety jack stands must be used in conjunction with the jack.
Respirator Required
After the drum is off, you will see the shoes, and a lot of dust. Use the brush to clean the dust off. Use a respirator when you do this. If the car is an antique, chances are good the shoes were made out of asbestos. Asbestos dust is deadly, since it is well known to cause cancer. If you suspect asbestos, wear gloves as well. Dispose of the old shoes according to your local safety regulations for asbestos disposal.
Take Pictures
After the drum is off and the dust is cleaned, take pictures of the assembly. Refer back to the pictures when re-assembling the brake, to use as a guideline.
Repair Manual
Having a repair manual helps. The manual will have information specific to your vehicle, such as any tips or tricks on how to remove the drums.
Retainer Removal Tool
Professional Mechanics at Two Car Pros recommend using a special tool to remove the spring retainers from the brake shoes (see Reference section). This tool is useful, but a large deep well socket can be used also. Place your finger on the head of the pin, behind the mounting plate. Push down and turn on the tool, to release the retaining cap.
