How to Change Brake Shoes on a Truck

Replacing rear drum brake shoes on your truck is important for the safety of yourself as well as others. The rear brakes work on an automatic transmission in combination with the front brakes for additional stopping power. When the rear brakes are not functioning properly, the front disc brakes can lock up, causing the vehicle to skid instead of stop. On manual transmission vehicles, the rear brakes serve as the parking brakes and must be functioning properly to keep the vehicle from moving when parked.

Instructions

1

Park your truck on a level or flat part of the ground. Chock the front wheels so that the truck will not move forward or backward. Jack up the truck, and place jack stands under the rear for support. Use a lug wrench to remove the rear wheels, which will expose the brake drums.

2

Spray on some penetrating oil. Tap the brake drum with a hammer to remove it, or retract the brake shoes by accessing the adjuster screw through the backing plate if the brake drum is stubborn.

3

Examine the brake parts, including the inside of the brake drum, for signs of brake fluid leakage and wear. Clean the parts with brake cleaner. Remove the return springs, one side at a time, so that you will have a quick reference to look at to help you with the job.

4

Unfasten the actuator link from the rearward shoe and anchor pin. Press down on the retaining pin spring to remove the spring assemblies. Take off the brake shoe adjuster and the parking brake strut, which is above the hub and underneath the wheel cylinder. Clean up the adjuster, then lubricate the threads with high-temp grease. Take off the old brake shoes. Unclip one brake shoe from the actuator if needed.

5

Spray the backing plate with the brake cleaner to clean it. Even out the shoe-contact points with an emery cloth, then lubricate these parts with high-temp grease. Install the new brake shoes by reversing the process. Keep the face of the new brake shoes clean and free of dirt and grease. Lower the vehicle to the ground, and test-drive the vehicle before taking it out on the road.

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