GM 19256491 Shoe Kit,Rear Brake

First, unbolt the wheel hub bolts, lift the back end of your car, set up jackstands right, and block the front wheels to keep the car from rolling. Release the parking brake and remove the wheel. Pull the spring off the brake adjuster, then detach the brake adjuster lever and adjuster. Using locking pliers, move the end of the shoe retractor spring toward the backing plate and away from the shoe, then disconnect the trailing shoe that's connected to the parking brake lever; pull down the shoe and lever away from the plate. Pull the retractor spring up and take the leading shoe off from the backing plate, before removing the shoe retractor spring. Press down the cable end tab, then turn the cable end lever off to take out the trailing shoe and parking brake lever. Wipe the backing plate clean with brake cleaner. Also add a thin layer of brake grease to the surface where the shoes touch. Insert the socket extension and hammer to fix the center of the retractor spring where it screws to the backing plate. Put the new front brake shoe in place, and you're ready. Gently couple the parking brake cable to the brake release lever and attach the freshly mounted trailing shoe and lever. Wipe off and grease the threads of the adjuster. Reinstall it between the shoes, then attach the adjuster lever and its spring, adjusting the shoes while holding the lever up, turning the star wheel until the drum can slide easily over the shoes. Examine the drum before installation to find cracks, markings, deep gouges, and rough areas. If you cannot fix these with sandpaper, take the drum to an auto repair shop for surface work. Put the brake drum onto the axle flange, hit the brake pedal a few times, then rotate the drum yourself and listen for the shoes rubbing along the innersides; adjust the star wheel to stop the rustling sounds. Attach the wheel and lug nuts, let the car lower itself, and tighten the lug nuts to their correct force level. Keep making forward and backward stops while adjusting the parking brake until the brake pedal feels right, then inspect the brakes' performance before you drive.

For 2010 and later models, the removal process is slightly different. Start by removing the adjuster lever spring and the adjuster lever from the adjuster. Disconnect one end of the upper return spring from the backside of the brake shoes using locking pliers. Remove the adjuster from the shoes, followed by the shoe hold-down springs. Disconnect the lower return spring from each shoe and remove the shoes.

For installation, clean the backing plate, lube the shoe contact points, and secure the center of the retractor spring in its mount.