Cadillac 19150002 Shoe Kit,Rear Brake

Earlier brake pads or shoes may have used asbestos, a substance that has been classified as causing cancer; therefore, it is recommended not to blow clean the brake surface(s) with compressed air and not to inhale any dust on such surfaces at all; one should use brake cleaning fluid that is commercially available. Brake shoes must be checked every 6000 miles or when the wheels are off and, if the lining thickness is worn down to the backing plate or rivet by 1/32 inch (0.76mm) the shoes must be replaced in axle sets. For removal and installation, firstly, support the vehicle and then Assemble the wheel and tire, Assemble the brake drum. Disconnect the shock absorbers, springs and the other parts, lessen the parking brake cable and see whether there are signs of wear or damage on the wheel cylinder. Ensure that the adjuster screw and the springs are properly placed when reconnecting the components after cleaning and lubricating where necessary. Slight adjust the brake so that the diameter is correct, then install the brake drum and the wheel, check parking brake adjustment. If there are modifications, make sure that the parking brake levers are placed properly and that the inside diameter of the brake drum is measured and the diameter of the brake shoe is adjusted before the assembling and testing of the mechanism.

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.

Whenever brake shoes are replaced, it's essential to replace the return and hold-down springs as well, as the continuous heating/cooling cycle weakens the springs over time, leading to dragging shoes and accelerated wear. To begin the process, loosen the wheel lug nuts, raise the rear of the vehicle, and support it on jack stands securely. Block the front wheels to prevent rolling, and remove the rear wheels. Proceed to remove the brake drum/hub, ensuring the drums aren't stuck due to corrosion by using penetrating oil and gentle tapping. If the drum is locked onto the shoes due to excessive wear, release it by aligning the hole with the adjuster and backing it off. For brake shoe replacement, follow the specified procedures for removal and installation, including replacing drum retainers, disassembling components, and cleaning or lubricating parts as necessary. Check the brake drum for wear and resurface it if required or replace it if worn beyond the maximum allowable diameter. Address any brake fluid leakage at the wheel cylinders by replacing or overhauling them. Verify that the backing plate mounting bolts are tight and clean the shoe contact areas with emery cloth. Install the drum and adjust the brakes using an adjusting tool to ensure proper pedal position and functionality before driving.

After releasing the parking brake and blocking the front wheels, you should remove the rear wheels.

To remove the rear brake shoes, start by loosening the wheel lug nuts and raising the vehicle's rear. Support it securely on jackstands and block the front wheels to prevent rolling. Release the parking brake and remove the wheel.

After reinstalling the drum, mount the wheel, install the lug nuts, and lower the vehicle. Finally, tighten the lug nuts to the proper torque specifications.

If working on a 2015 or later model, you should unhook the parking brake cable from the park brake lever and wash the brake assembly with brake system cleaner.