GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Tools Required

    • J 29840 Brake Spring Remover and Installer
    • J 8049 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. Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
  3. Important: Mark the relationship of the brake drum to the axle flange in order to ensure proper wheel balance upon assembly.

  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.
    • 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).
  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 actuator lever sleeve (18)
  11. Remove the parking brake strut (5) and the strut spring (4).
  12. Disconnect the parking brake cable.
  13. Remove the shoe and lining assemblies (29, 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.
  18. Lubricate the 6 contact areas where the brake shoes contact the backing plate with high temperature silicone brake lubricant.
  19. Inspect the threads of the adjusting screw 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 shoe and lining assemblies (17, 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 actuator lever sleeve (18) between the secondary shoe and lining (17) and the actuator lever (19).

  9. Install the following components:
  10. 6.1. The actuator lever 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 hold-down pin (19) while you hold up on the lever.
  13. Install the shoe return springs (26, 27) using J 8057 .
  14. Adjust the drum brakes. Refer to Drum Brake Adjustment .
  15. Install the brake drum. Align the previous marks.
  16. Adjust the park brake system. Refer to Park Brake Adjustment in Park Brake.
  17. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
  18. Remove the safety stands. Lower the vehicle.