The friction with which the brakes stop
the car causes the friction material on
the brake shoes to wear. At first the wear
can be taken up by adjustment, but when
the friction material is two-thirds worn,
they must be replaced.
Brake shoes are easily obtainable through
your nearest Midas Parts Centre, the sets
on both wheels need to be replaced, if you
don't, this could cause uneven braking and
the car to pull to one side. Do not take
chances, always fit the best quality brake
shoes.
The shoes are easily replaced, all you
need is a new set of shoes to suit your
vehicle, a bottle of Midas brake fluid,
pair of pliers, a screwdriver, a length
of thin copper wire and some high-melting
point grease.
Method:
Step 1. Jack up the car and
remove the wheel, always use axle stands
for safety. Chock the front wheels of
the vehicle.
Step 2. Wrap a thick absorbant
cloth around the brake fluid reservoir
to soak up any fluid which may be forced
out.
Step 3. Check the handbrake
mechanism, on some vehicles it is easier
to disconnect it at this stage, on others
it comes off with the brake shoes.
Step 4. Remove the drum cover,
mark the position of the brake shoes with
chalk.
Lever off the brake shoes one at a time
with a heavy screwdriver or special "shoe-horn"
tool. Take care not to damage the dust
covers on the wheel cylinders.
Step 5. Wrap a thin length of
copper wire around the wheel cylinder
to prevent the pistons from falling out.
Clean out the slots in the ends of the
wheel cylinder pistons, smear them with
a dab of high- melting point grease.
Step 6. Connect the new shoes
and pull-off springs on the ground, replace
damaged springs. Make sure that the springs
are properly positioned on the shoes and
place one end of each shoe into its slot.
Step 7. Remove the wire from
around the wheel cylinders and lever the
shoes back into place with a screw- driver.
Reconnect the handbrake mechanism. Replace
retaining pins, springs and washers in
reverse order to removal.
Step 8. Before replacing the
drum check for score marks, if they are
deeper than 0,4mm or there is obvious
signs of damage consult a brake specialist.
Now replace the drum. Fully tighten
the adjusting screw, with a ring spanner,
then unscrew it until the drum revolves.
Step 9. Fit the wheel and lower
the vehicle . Pump the brake pedal a few
times to centre the shoes. Remove the
cloth from around the reservoir, check
the brake fluid level, top it up with
clean brake fluid if necessary, and replace
the cap.
INDEMNITY
Remember this is for information only, for
more details consult the workshop manual
for your vehicle.
