Drum Brake Tools

Drum brakes tend to get a bad rap, but in fact they are still found on many cars and trucks (especially those from the 1950s through the 1960s). They have some advantages over disk brakes: they require less maintenance, are generally more corrosion resistant than modern rotors, and can be more easily serviced compared to calipers. Unfortunately, they have a downside: they must be manually pumped to re-energize the brake shoes after each use, which can lead to fluid leaks and inconsistent stopping power as the hydraulic pressure in the wheel cylinders varies.

If you have a vehicle with drum brakes, it is a good idea to own a few special tools that will make your life a lot easier. These include a drum brake retainer spring tool and a set of brake drum pliers, often sold as a package. It is also a good idea to have a copy of the repair manual for your car, or at least detailed pictures that show you where all the parts go and how they fit together. It is also a good idea to work on one side of the vehicle at a time, and leave the other side assembled as a reference so you know exactly how everything goes back together.

The first step in any drum brake job is to remove the wheel. Once the wheel is off, it is a good idea to put on safety glasses before you remove the cotter pin and spindle nut that hold the brake hub assembly onto the car. Once these are removed, it is a good idea to inspect the assembly for rust or other signs of trouble. It is also a good idea to clean the hardware and lubricate it if necessary.

Once the hub and bearings are removed, you can remove the brake drum itself. This can be a challenge as thousands of heat cycles and decades of rust may make this hunk of iron reluctant to come off, but it should come loose with some persuasion. If it is really stuck, a brake drum puller can help. In severe cases, it might be necessary to tap on the face of the drum with a hammer in order to break it free.

Brake drums are usually made of cast iron, but some vehicles have aluminum ones. If the drum is leaking or has a crack, it will need to be replaced. You can usually tell if yours is cracked by looking at it from the top, where you will see a gap between the friction surface and the retaining lip.

When you replace the drum, it is a good idea to install new brake shoes. These can be purchased from most auto stores and are relatively inexpensive. Depending on the condition of your old ones, you might want to consider replacing the return springs as well. These are the little metal rods that hook into openings on the brake shoes and loop around the anchor pin on the wheel cylinders.