DRUM BRAKE HELP

[LLSimpson7]

new here to the org,not new to diesels though....ive never really messed with drum brakes...i suspect mine are going bad...could be wrong but after 15 years of reliable service,i would imagine they need to be replaced....

is there a write up you guys suggest or a place to show how there serviced??

thanx fellas

[rolsmojave3]

Not to bad to do. If you're going to replace everything I'd get wheel cylinders as well. That way if they leak you won't have to take it apart again.

Order drums, shoes, self adjusters for both sides, spring kit (sometimes called a Maxi kit). and your wheel cylinders.

[LLSimpson7]

how long are drum brakes suppose to last??? and were to go to purchase....hhmmmm

[chromehound]

Any auto parts store should have the stuff (O'Reillys, Autozone, etc) As far as life of the brakes that depends alot on you. I've gone through a set (all 4 corners) in just over a year pulling a demo car on a trailer that the brakes weren't working on. Hard stopping, brake stands, etc will reduce the life. Get the appropriate wrenches for the bleeder screws - the parts store guys can help. Most any Haynes type book will have the info but do one side at a time so you can look at the other side for referance.

[mikesuperduty]

I just did mine shoes only though.
Both hub seals were bad so that's a fun mess of brake dust and gear lube. Also the last person who worked on it must not have known the left spindle was reverse thread so the threads were trashed. So after destroying the nut to get it off, fixing the threads, waiting for seals, finding a new nut and special socket I finally got it done.

Anyway I'd suggest to poke your head behind each drum and look and smell for gear lube (sulfur smell) to see what you might be getting in to before you beat the drums off. You might just want to take it in.