Whenever brake shoes are replaced, it's crucial to also replace the return and hold-down springs due to their loss of tension over time from continuous heating/cooling cycles. This can cause the shoes to drag on the drum and wear out faster. To begin, loosen the rear wheel lug nuts, raise the vehicle's rear, and secure it on jack stands while blocking the front wheels. Remove the rear wheels and the brake drum/hub (for semi-floating axles, use penetrating oil and gentle tapping if stuck due to corrosion). If the drum is stuck due to wear, remove the plug and retract the shoes slightly. Clean the brake assembly with brake system cleaner and proceed to remove the hold-down springs, actuator spring, and adjuster actuator. Lift the shoes off as an assembly, remove the upper return spring and adjuster assembly, and detach the parking brake lever from the secondary shoe. Check the brake drum for wear, resurfacing it if necessary, and inspect the
Wheel Cylinders for brake fluid leakage. Tighten the backing plate mounting bolts and clean the shoe contact areas with emery cloth. Check the adjuster operation and replace the assembly if needed. Lubricate the parking brake lever and cable, attach the lever to the shoe, and apply high-temperature grease to the shoe contact areas on the backing plate. Connect the brake shoes with the adjusting screw assembly and upper return spring, and attach the parking brake cable to the lever. Install the shoes over the wheel cylinder and axle flange, taking care not to over-extend the spring or damage the boots. Attach the lower return spring, spread the shoes, and install the hold-down spring assemblies. Complete the installation of the adjuster actuator, lower return spring, and drum. Adjust the brakes with an adjusting tool, test the pedal position, and perform further adjustments if needed. Finally, test the brakes for proper operation before driving in traffic.