Rear brake linings - inspection, removal and refitting
Inspection
1 Inspection of the shoe linings can be carried out at the specified intervals by prising out the small inspection plug from the brake backplate and observing the linings through the hole using a mirror.
2 A minimum thickness of friction material must always be observed on the shoes; if it is worn down to this level, renew the shoes.
3 Do not attempt to re-line shoes yourself, but always obtain factory re-lined shoes.
4 Renew the shoes in an axle set (four shoes), even if only one is worn to the minimum.
Removal
5 Chock the front wheels. Slacken the roadwheel bolts, raise the rear of the vehicle and support it securely (see “Jacking and vehicle support”). Remove the roadwheels.
6 Release the handbrake fully.
7 Tap off the hub dust cap, remove the split pin, nut lock, nut and thrustwasher.
Remove the dust cap . . .
. . . the split pin and nut lock . . .
. . . the nut and thrustwasher
8 Pull the hub/drum towards you and then push it back enough to be able to take the outer bearing from the spindle.
9 Remove the hub/drum
Withdrawing the brake drum
and brush out any dust taking care not to inhale it.
10 Remove the shoe hold-down spring from the leading shoe.
Brake hold-down spring and retainer removal
Do this by gripping the dished washer with a pair of pliers, depressing it and turning it through 90°. Remove the washer, spring and the holddown post.
11 Note the locations of the leading and trailing shoes and also the upper and lower return springs. Unhook the brake shoes from the lower anchor plate and detach the lower return spring.
12 Detach the brake shoes from the wheel cylinder, manoeuvre them away from the backplate and disengage the handbrake cable from the relay arm.
Disconnecting the handbrake cable from the relay arm
13 The brake pull-off springs and adjuster strut can then be disconnected at the top end of the brake shoes. Again note orientation for refitting.
14 To detach the large ratchet and handbrake lever, remove the circlips.
Refitting
15 Prior to reassembly, wipe the carrier (back) plate clean and apply a light coating of brake grease (Thermopaul 1) to the brake shoe contact points indicated.
Lightly lubricate the brake shoe contact points (arrowed)
16 Refit the large ratchet to the leading brake shoe and the handbrake relay lever to the trailing brake shoe.
17 Relocate the pull-off springs into position between the top end of the leading and trailing shoe (as noted during removal).
18 Apply a small amount of brake grease to the large ratchet and handbrake relay lever contact surfaces, then reconnect the handbrake cable to the relay lever on the trailing shoe. Do not get any brake grease onto the brake linings.
19 Refit the brake shoes into position, prising open the leading edges to fit on the wheel cylinder at the top. Support in this position, relocate the lower brake pull-off spring then prise open the shoes at the bottom (trailing edges) and engage on the lower anchor plate.
Brake shoe assembly at the top
Brake shoe assembly at the bottom
20 Centralise the shoes, by tapping them with the hand if necessary, then relocate the shoe hold-down pin, spring and dished washer. Depress and twist the washers through 90° to secure.
Rear brake shoes fully assembled
21 Before refitting the brake drum, check that the shoes are centralised, and release the automatic adjuster to fully contract the shoes.
22 Lubricate the inboard bearing and oil seal lips in the brake drum/hub and fit the drum/hub onto the stub axle; taking care not to damage the oil seal lips.
23 Fit the outboard bearing and thrustwasher (lubricated with suitable wheel bearing grease) and screw the retaining nut into position.
24 Tightening the nut also sets the wheel bearing adjustment and it is therefore important that the correct procedure is followed. Refer to the information given in Chapter 10 on adjustment of the rear hub bearings.
25 With the wheel bearing adjustment completed and the nut retainer and split pin in position, refit the dust cap.
26 Depress the brake pedal hard several times to actuate the self-adjusting mechanism and to bring the shoes up close to the drum.
27 Refit the roadwheel and lower the vehicle to the floor.