GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Tools Required

    • J 8049 Brake Spring Remover and Installer
    • J 29840 Brake Spring Remover and Installer
    • J 8057 Brake Spring Pliers

Removal Procedure


    Object Number: 171475  Size: SH
  1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  2. Important: 

       • Mark the relationship of the wheel to the axle flange in order to ensure proper wheel balance upon assembly.
       • Mark the relationship of the brake drum to the axle flange in order to ensure proper wheel balance upon assembly.

  3. Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
  4. Remove the brake drum. If removing the brake drum is difficult, perform the following steps:
  5. • Ensure that the parking brake is released.
    • Back off the parking brake adjustment cable.
    • Use a rubber mallet in order to tap gently on the outer rim of the drum and/or around the inner drum diameter by the spindle. Do not use excessive force, which may deform the drum.
  6. Remove the return springs (26, 27) using J 8049 or J 29840 .
  7. Remove the hold-down springs (22) and the pins (10) using suitable pliers.
  8. Remove the actuator link (28) while lifting up on the actuator lever (19).
  9. Remove the following components:
  10. 7.1. The actuator lever (19)
    7.2. The lever return spring (20)
    7.3. The bearing sleeve (18)
  11. Remove the parking brake strut (5) and the strut spring (4).
  12. Disconnect the parking brake cable.
  13. Remove the secondary shoe and lining assembly (17).
  14. Remove the adjusting screw assembly (21, 23, 24).
  15. Remove the following components:
  16. 12.1. The retaining ring
    12.2. The pin
    12.3. The parking brake lever
  17. Remove the retaining ring (15), the pin (30), and the parking brake lever (16) from the secondary shoe (17). If any parts are of doubtful strength or quality due to discoloration from heat, overstress, or wear, replace the parts.

Cleaning and Inspection Procedure


    Object Number: 171475  Size: SH
  1. Perform the following actions on the components before you reinstall the adjusting screw assembly (21, 23, 24):
  2. • Disassemble
    • Clean
    • Lubricate
  3. Clean the threads on the adjusting screw (23) with a wire brush.
  4. Wash all components in clean denatured alcohol.
  5. Apply brake lubricant GM P/N 1052196 or equivalent to the threads of the following components:
  6. • The adjusting screw (23)
    • The inside diameter of the socket (21)
    • The socket face
  7. You have obtained an adequate supply of lubricant when a continuous bead of lubricant appears at the open end of the pivot nut (24) and the socket (21) after you have fully engaged the threads.
  8. Lubricate the 6 pads (12) where the brake shoes contact the backing plate.
  9. Inspect the threads of the adjusting screw (23) for smooth rotation over the full length of the screw.

Installation Procedure


    Object Number: 171475  Size: SH
  1. Install the parking brake lever (16) into the secondary shoe (17) with the pin (30) and the retaining ring (15).

  2. Object Number: 171479  Size: SH
  3. Install the adjusting screw assembly (1, 2, 3) and the adjusting screw spring (4).

  4. Object Number: 171475  Size: SH
  5. Attach the parking brake cable.
  6. Install the secondary shoe and lining assembly (29).
  7. Install the parking brake strut (5) and the strut spring (4), by spreading the shoes (17, 29) apart. Verify that the shoes are positioned correctly:
  8. • The end without the strut spring (4) should engage the parking brake lever (16) and the secondary shoe and lining (17).
    • The end with the strut spring (4) should engage the primary shoe and lining (29).

    Object Number: 171480  Size: SH

    Important: Install the bearing sleeve (18) between the secondary shoe and lining (17) and the actuator lever (19).

  9. Install the following components:
  10. 6.1. The bearing sleeve (18)
    6.2. The actuator lever (19)
    6.3. The lever return spring (20)

    Object Number: 171475  Size: SH
  11. Install the hold-down pins (10) and the hold-down springs (22).
  12. Install the actuator link (28) on the anchor pin (19) while you hold up on the lever.
  13. Install the shoe return springs (26, 27) using J 8057 .
  14. Adjust the brakes. Refer to Drum Brake Adjustment in Drum Brakes.
  15. Install the brake drum. Align the previous marks.
  16. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
  17. Adjust the park brake. Refer to Park Brake Adjustment .
  18. Lower the vehicle.