Drum Brakes

[ledzilla]

This isn't for my Merc, but my older and rustier Buick. I'm swapping out all of the hard and rubber brake lines, and while I'm at it I'm going to replace the cylinders in the rear. However, I really, really, REALLY don't want to have to remove the springs and shoes. Is there a good way to spread the shoes apart so the cylinder can be replaced without disassembling everything? I put on new shoes, springs, and drums last summer, but wasn't able to do the cylinders at the time. Couldn't find an appropriate tool to remove the bolts, but now I have what I need. And speed bleeders, too. I really don't want to take it all apart again. Those drums are a nightmare to put together. It took no effort at all to do rear drums on my old Town Car, but these are horrible.

[Zack]

This isn't for my Merc, but my older and rustier Buick. I'm swapping out all of the hard and rubber brake lines, and while I'm at it I'm going to replace the cylinders in the rear. However, I really, really, REALLY don't want to have to remove the springs and shoes. Is there a good way to spread the shoes apart so the cylinder can be replaced without disassembling everything? I put on new shoes, springs, and drums last summer, but wasn't able to do the cylinders at the time. Couldn't find an appropriate tool to remove the bolts, but now I have what I need. And speed bleeders, too. I really don't want to take it all apart again. Those drums are a nightmare to put together. It took no effort at all to do rear drums on my old Town Car, but these are horrible.

I've never had a hard time with drum brakes of any make or model.
What makes these different from the rest?

[RF Overlord]

What Buick? My '68 Skylark has drums all around and I can do them in my sleep...

[ledzilla]

The large horse-shaped spring is a nasty bastard and hard to work with. This on a 2001 Century. My brother-in-law has had a lot of experience tearing apart cars, putting them together, fixing them, and he did the rear drums on a 1994 Century. Not much difference, if any at all, and he had that spring snap back and slice his hand open. The only time that ever happened to him doing drums. It's something about this particular design, because I've done drums a couple times before and were nowhere near as difficult as these are. I was completely surprised by how much trouble they were. Plus the adjusting screw is a bugger, too, and frustrating to get into place. Took a long time to do those brakes, and most of it was spent fighting with either the big springs or the adjuster. I'd prefer to avoid that frustration again if possible.

[RubberCtyRauder]

you need brake tools (that funky plier looking thing) to more easily do springs on drums. screwdrivers and needle nose pliers dont wing it

[Davco]

you need brake tools (that funky plier looking thing) to more easily do springs on drums. screwdrivers and needle nose pliers dont wing it

The right tools for the job make a huge difference. Screwdrivers and needle nose pliers reminds me of my first car and my poor teenage budget. I almost stabbed myself in the eye doing drum brakes.

[Bradley G]

Good advice ∆∆∆ Rite there,
Even if you have safety eyeware

Sent from my XT1096 using Tapatalk

[ledzilla]

Well, I've gone out and gotten some them there fancy tools. Wanted to get this nice Craftsman kit, but it wasn't available anywhere near me and can't wait for delivery. I'm just going to hope these bastard springs don't break the tools.