Removal
WARNING: ALTHOUGH FACTORY INSTALLED BRAKE LININGS ARE MADE FROM ASBESTOS FREE MATERIALS, SOME AFTER MARKET BRAKE LININGS MAY CONTAIN ASBESTOS. THIS SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT WHEN SERVICING A VEHICLE'S BRAKE SYSTEM, WHEN AFTERMARKET BRAKE LININGS MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE. ALWAYS WEAR A RESPIRATOR WHEN CLEANING BRAKE COMPONENTS AS ASBESTOS CAN CAUSE SERIOUS BODILY HARM SUCH AS ASBESTOSIS AND OR CANCER. NEVER CLEAN BRAKE COMPONENTS BY USING COMPRESSED AIR, USE ONLY A VACUUM CLEANER SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR THE REMOVAL OF BRAKE DUST. IF A VACUUM CLEANER IS NOT AVAILABLE, CLEAN BRAKE PARTS USING ONLY WATER DAMPENED SHOP TOWELS. DO NOT CREATE BRAKE LINING DUST BY SANDING BRAKE LININGS WHEN SERVICING A VEHICLE. DISPOSE OF ALL DUST AND DIRT SUSPECTED OF CONTAINING ASBESTOS FIBERS USING ONLY SEALED AIR TIGHT BAGS OR CONTAINERS. FOLLOW ALL RECOMMENDED SAFETY PRACTICES PRESCRIBED BY THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION (OSHA) AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA), FOR HANDLING AND DISPOSAL OF PRODUCTS CONTAINING ASBESTOS.GENERAL INFORMATION
During service procedures, grease or any other foreign material must be kept off brake shoe assemblies, and braking surfaces of brake drum and external surfaces of hub/bearing assembly. The original equipment rear drum brake assemblies used on this vehicle are supplied by Varga Nm.A. Inc.
Drum Brake Assembly:
PROCEDURE
1. Raise vehicle on jackstands or centered on a hoist.
2. Remove the rear wheel and tire assemblies from the vehicle.
NOTE: If the vehicle has high mileage, the brake drums may have a ridge worn in them by the brake shoes. This ridge causes the brake drum to interfere with the brake shoes, not allowing the brake drum to be removed. Further clearance can be obtained by fully backing oft the brakes automatic self adjuster mechanism, using the following procedure.
3. Remove the rubber plug from the top of brake support plate.
4. Insert a screwdriver, through the automatic adjuster access hole, in the rear brake support plate. Engage screwdriver with the teeth on the adjuster mechanism quadrant; Then rotate quadrant so that teeth on quadrant, are moved toward the front of the vehicle. Continue moving quadrant toward front of vehicle until it stops moving. This will fully back off the adjustment of the rear brake shoes allowing brake drum to be removed.
5. Remove rear brake drum to hub/bearing retaining nuts (if equipped). Then remove rear brake drum from hub and bearing assembly.
6. Remove the actuating spring from the automatic adjuster mechanism and the trailing brake shoe.
7. Remove the upper return spring from the leading and trailing brake shoe assembly.
8. Remove the lower return spring from the leading and trailing brake shoe assembly.
9. Remove the brake shoe retainer and pin from the leading brake shoe assembly.
10. Remove the leading brake shoe and the adjuster mechanism as an assembly, from the rear brake support plate. The adjuster mechanism can not be separated from the leading brake shoe until the brake shoe and adjuster mechanism is removed from the support plate.
11. Remove the brake shoe retainer and pin, from the trailing brake shoe.
12. Remove the trailing brake shoe assembly from the brake support plate.
CAUTION: On this vehicle, the park brake actuating lever is permanently attached to the trailing brake shoe assembly. Do not attempt to remove it from the original brake shoe assembly or reuse the original actuating lever on a replacement brake shoe assembly. All replacement brake shoe assemblies for this vehicle must have the actuating lever as part of the trailing brake shoe assembly.
13. Remove the park brake cable from the park brake actuating lever, attached to the trailing brake shoe assembly. Do not attempt to remove actuating lever from brake shoe assembly.
14. Remove the automatic adjuster mechanism from the original leading brake shoe assembly for installation on the replacement brake shoe, using the following procedure. Fully extend the adjuster mechanism in the direction shown. Then, with adjuster mechanism fully extended, rotate the adjuster mechanism in the direction shown to separate adjuster mechanism from leading brake shoe.
CLEANING AND INSPECTION
Clean metal portion of brake shoes. Check to see if shoes are bent. Lining should show contact across entire width and from heel to toe, otherwise replace. Shoes with lack of contact at toe or heel may be improperly ground. Clean and inspect the brake support plate and the automatic self adjusting mechanism. Visually examine the adjuster assembly to ensure it is functioning correctly by checking for the following operation.
^ Be sure the quadrant is free to rotate throughout its entire tooth contact range.
^ Ensure that the quadrant is free to slide the full length of its mounting slot in the adjuster mechanism.
^ Inspect the quadrant spring for any signs of excessive wear or damage.
^ Ensure that the knurled pin is securely attached to the adjuster mechanism and that its teeth are not damaged.
^ Overall, examine the adjuster mechanism for excessive wear or damage and replace if necessary.
If the adjuster mechanism is re-useable, apply a light coat of Mopar Multi-Purpose Lubricant or equivalent, between the quadrant and the strut of the adjuster mechanism.If old springs have overheated or are damaged, replace. Overheating indications are paint discoloration or distorted end coils.