GM 96065133 SHOE KIT, Brake

Since brake shoes aren't designed to last, the hold-down and retractor springs growing weak over time must be replaced whenever the shoes are serviced to stop the shoes from grinding harder on the drum, which lengthens shoe life. First, take off the wheel lug nuts, lift the back of the car until it's at the right level, put jack stands under it, and block the front tires. Free the parking brake, then one by one replace all four brake shoes at once so you put in the right pieces into their proper spot. For models Sidekick, X-90, Vitara, and Tracker, use pliers to pull out the parking brake cable's end, then slide it out of the brake lever. Pull apart the C-washer with a screwdriver to release the parking brake lever and adjusting lever from the rear shoe. With pliers, pull the parking brake cable spring back and keep it tight. Insert the cable's end into the parking brake lever's hook. Fasten the shoe return spring to both platforms, making sure the end of the spring and each shoe sit behind the anchor plate, and connect the rear shoe to the parking brake arm while placing the hold-down spring in place, attaching both short and long return springs to both shoes. To make the brake drum fit again after replacing the shoes, use a screwdriver to push in a ratchet part between the shoe's two parts and release the spring compression. Shake the brake assembly to make sure it touches its correct spot on the backing plate. First activate the parking brake fully. Then put penetrating oil on the hub where the drum joins, let it soak, and try pulling the drum off. Slide the pin holding the shoes in place 1/4-inch if you need to ease them back. Check for cracks, scoring, deep scars, and hard patches in the drum before putting it back in place. If these issues don't pass a cleaning with fine emery cloth, have the braking surface redone at an auto machine repair shop. Put the brake drum on the axle, attach the wheel, screw on the lug nuts, and bring the car to the ground. Testing brake performance in all directions and adjusting the shoes until great obstacle-free steering shows you are ready to safely drive on city streets.