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R Slaughter | profile | all galleries >> Drum brake assembly tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Drum brake assembly

Assembly sequence for a "typical" GM drum brake
1966 GM half-ton pickup (Delco Shown, Bendix similar)
The parts pile, excluding the park lever and pushrods NOTE: colors shown are NOT correct
The parts pile, excluding the park lever and pushrods NOTE: colors shown are NOT correct		 Self adjuster (SA arm) group
Self adjuster (SA arm) group
Adjuster wheel group
Adjuster wheel group		 Where it all goes
Where it all goes
Park brake lever on the cable
Park brake lever on the cable		 Start here: lube park lever pin and wavy washer, install thru rear shoe, add the Jesus clip
Start here: lube park lever pin and wavy washer, install thru rear shoe, add the "Jesus clip"
Lube Starwheel shaft & threads with chassis grease or moly lube
Lube Starwheel shaft & threads with chassis grease or moly lube		 star wheel end goes toward rear shoe. NOTE! Left-hand threaded adjuster screw is for RIGHT (passenger) side brake
star wheel end goes toward rear shoe. NOTE! Left-hand threaded adjuster screw is for RIGHT (passenger) side brake
spread shoes over axle, set against backplate
spread shoes over axle, set against backplate		 put washer & cone spring on nail thru front shoe. Place pushrods in cylinder
put washer & cone spring on "nail" thru front shoe. Place pushrods in cylinder
place strut and spring between shoes. Note position! It is installed in this pic exactly as it is shown in the parts pile above
place strut and spring between shoes. Note position! It is installed in this pic exactly as it is shown in the parts pile above		 Lube contact areas on SA arm and pivot
Lube contact areas on SA arm and pivot
put guide on anchor. place SA arm with pivot on rear shoe with nail, tube washer & straight spring
put guide on anchor. place SA arm with pivot on rear shoe with nail, tube washer & straight spring		 Add actuator link, follow with overide spring from arm to pivot (next pic)
Add actuator link, follow with overide spring from arm to pivot (next pic)
Place return spring under SA arm. note placement of pivot and link
Place return spring under SA arm. note placement of pivot and link		 press shoes against anchor. install front shoe spring to anchor
press shoes against anchor. install front shoe spring to anchor
Install rear shoe spring to link as shown
Install rear shoe spring to link as shown

post a comment
Guest 08-Feb-2010 19:50
This is better than my 1967 Buick service manual. Thanks!!
Al 26-Dec-2009 22:14
I have always HATED doing drum brakes. These pictures made it easy! thank you so much.
Guest 18-Dec-2009 17:12
thank you very much this is what i was lokking for
jim 10-Dec-2009 17:55
Very helpful much better than anything I have in books
epcgto 08-Aug-2009 23:42
Thank you very much, this is perfect !!!!!
Guest 26-Jul-2009 04:58
Is this the same set up for a 3/4 ton Eaton with leafs?
Guest 03-Jun-2009 21:16
pull hard it comes easy
Guest 31-May-2009 23:28
thanks this is very helpful but i have a blown cylinder are their any tricks to replacing this? I cant seem to get it loose from the backing plate.
Robert 16-Apr-2009 22:53
Nearly identical to my 1999 Chevy Tahoe Z71 5.7 Type R (VIN #) truck. Really helps if you need a great step-by-step for reassembling drum brakes. Thanks for taking the time to take pics and lay it out so clearly.
John Henry 24-Jan-2009 01:17
Just what we needed, THANKS and keep up the good work
Guest 05-Sep-2008 21:57
Just what I needed. Thanks for taking the time. My regards!
Guest 05-Aug-2008 23:49
Great pics. Got it done. Bought a spring kit and it had other stuff you didn't show. I'll ask around about the extra stuff, but even if I have to redo it, I know how now. Thanks for taking the time to write up the instructions.
Don 27-Jun-2008 03:30
need to know how to do rear brakes on 2000 pontiac montana
only hardware is a C sping
tony 26-May-2008 00:46
Hey, does the automatic clicker arm always tend to be on the rear shoe. I am assembling a 71 camaro and thought the orig was on the front shoe. thanks, this is a very helpful posting.
Bear 06-May-2008 04:27
Just wanted to say that you are the man. Found these instructions through google search and it was exactly what I needed. Saved tons of time.
Guest 03-May-2008 20:51
Nice work. Thanks a bunch
John 27-Mar-2008 01:58
Awsome, well explained and the pics are great!! Thank You
wes 26-Mar-2008 03:08
you are the best! Thanks you saved me alot of time.
isaac 13-Mar-2008 15:17
thanks you are the greatest too many parts going in a small place but your pics stepped me right through it
Jack 25-Feb-2008 22:59
Could not be any easier. Thanks. Any other auto related topics?
Guest 24-Jan-2008 01:30
Pictures worked for my 97 suburban, thanks for the help
Guest 14-Jan-2008 19:52
I pray and you show up. Thanks so verrrry much.
Dave 22-Oct-2007 00:56
Thank you for an excellent pictorial assembly. It has really helped me a lot!
Guest 17-Sep-2007 19:15
Thanks for a superb pic-show. now I can get my brakes in order. Finally
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