How often do brake drums need to be replaced?
The brake drums on your car are built to last for about 200,000 miles. In some cases, the drums will wear out sooner due to worn out internal components that put more strain on the drum. As your brake drums begin to wear down, they will actually become smaller. A mechanic will measure the drums to gauge whether or not they need to be replaced…
Are there front or rear drum brakes on a car?
The front and rear brakes on a car take a lot of abuse over time. On most older vehicles, the front brakes will be discs, while the rear ones will be drums. The drum brakes on a car are an essential part of having maximum braking power. Over time, the drums and shoes on the rear part of a vehicle will have to do a lot of work…
When to replace the brake pads and discs?
Each time you fit new brake pads, inform drivers that they should avoid hard braking for the first 200 km. When poor bedding-in has resulted in slight DTV, it may be sufficient to bed in the brakes once again. If this does not re-align the disc surfaces, the only solution is to replace both the brake pads and discs.
When do you press on the brake drums?
Over time, the drums and shoes on the rear part of a vehicle will have to do a lot of work and may begin to show some signs of wear. When the brake pedal on your car is pushed, the brake shoes on the rear of the car will press against the brake drums to bring the vehicle to a stop. The drums are only used when the brakes of a car are applied.
How often do rear drum brakes need to be replaced?
Drum brakes are known for their longevity. In some vehicles, rear drum brakes can last for up to 150,000 miles, although there are many factors that can cause brakes to wear out sooner. When do drum brakes need to be replaced?
Why are my drum brakes not working properly?
Loosely adjusted shoes will not work correctly and may even result in problems with the parking brake, while excessively tight shoes will cause excessive drag that can overheat and damage the drums and shoes. Locate the adjuster access port, which is usually on the inside of the hub.
How do you adjust the brakes on a drum?
Install the self adjuster lever onto the star adjuster. Install the brake spring on the left side of the assembly between the self adjuster lever and the bottom of the brake shoe. Use the star wheel adjuster to adjust the shoes outward, making sure the drum will fit over the shoes and onto the studs or hub freely.
What happens when you put new brake shoes on a drum?
There should be a detent or latching cam on the Operating Lever Assembly that the adjuster spring connects to. The adjuster needs to be reset in order to put the drums on. The purpose is to keep the face of the brake shoes near the surface of the drum as the brake shoes wear. This adjuster needs to be reset when new shoes are installed.