Checking rear drum brakes...

[Derelict-UK]

How do you go about getting the cover off the rear drum brakes? Im looking at getting my front pads changed soon but as I have only owned the car for about a year, I have no idea when the rear ones were replaced (the front pads were new when I bought the car).

 

[Ian]

I'm bound to get this wrong, so wait for someone else, but:

1. Take the wheel off
2. Pop the end cap off
3. Undo the nut that's underneath
4. Pull the drum brake cover off

I think it's something like that, I didn't do it myself so can't be sure. I know he put some sort of grease on when he was putting it all back together though. Hopefully someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Millsy]

thats pretty much it, but its an arsehole to get off, make sure its on an axle stand/sturdy trolley jack or whatever and get a dead blow hammer and work around the back of the casing to prise it off.

 

[geesus69]

yeh trusty hammer as millsy says

keep hitting it and then turning+pulling to release all the brake dust and crap that will have welded it on over the years, you never know if they have been done recently it might come off easy

 

[JD]

following on from this, is there a reason behind rear drums squeaking not only under braking, but also when going along at about 5mph??? had the pads changed recently in the rear drums and now get this squeaking, and tbh its quite embarassing lol!

jamie

 

[geesus69]

if they haven't been adjusted properly or fit centrally?

maybe one shoe is rubbing on the drum?

what car is it on?

 

[JD]

mk2 ph2 non sport, 1.2 16v 52 reg lad

mark (middo) suggested it could also be dirt? any way to combat this? it is going to birchdown at some point soon . . .

 

[geesus69]

best bet is to get them removed, cleaned (wire brushed to get rid of any crap) and refitted, should solve it

 

[JD]

legend, might be able to do this myself judging by the above

cheers jesus

jamie

 

[geesus69]

just to warn you they can be a b**ch!

ive lost many a litre of sweat working on drum brakes

 

[Jonff]

There's a tool you can buy to help release them isn't there? No idea if they're any good though.

 

[geesus69]

aye a brake drum puller

too much faffing for my liking, hammer is where its at! lol

 

[Derelict-UK]

cheers for the info, I got to the point of taking the wheel off, but the cap seems to be wedged on, do you reckon a bit of wd40 would do the trick?

 

[geesus69]

the cap for the nut?

get a flat blade screwdriver and tap it outwards (there will be a little lip you can get the screwdriver under), it might bend a little bit just make sure you dont crush it totally

btw im going off every other brake drum i have worked on, not specifically a clio, so my descriptions may differ to the real thing slightly lol