Help with Rear brakes - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Valkyrie90AE92 · 10-07-2006, 08:52 PM

Hi
I am in the middle of doing the rear brakes (drums) on my 90 Corolla. I think I have everything back together, but I am having a problem with the last spring. It is the one at the top at is big. I just cant seem to be able to stretch it far enough to make it go in the hole where it hooks to. I HATE drums!!! So much more of a pain in the butt than the disc brakes....

Anyone have any suggestions? I still have one more drum to go

***toyomoho*** · 10-07-2006, 10:11 PM

Might try using vise grips to get a good grip on the spring wire. It does take a little effort to get it on. Make sure you have all the parts installed right so the gap between brake shoes is not larger then it should be.

tashirosgt · 10-07-2006, 10:38 PM

Are you using the tool that comes with a brake tools kit to install this spring? It works much better than screw drivers or pliers. (And I have never found anthing else this tool is good for.)

Bitter · 10-07-2006, 10:42 PM

vice grips, wear saftey glasses and gloves! make sure the shoes are adjusted in all the way.

Valkyrie90AE92 · 10-07-2006, 11:15 PM

Everything else lines up. I have been using regular pliers, but they cant get enough of a bite on the wire--I stretch it, and it slips. I got some angled ones, but I ran out of daylight. Guess I just need to pull even harder.

To tashirosgt: which part are you reffering to? I got the one that is circular that is used for those spring buttons. Those really sucked

diver9000 · 10-08-2006, 09:04 AM

Close your starwheel adjustment all the way then adjust it after everything is fitted back in place. If you use the a flathead screwdriver in the hook end and pull the spring just past where it connects then you should be able to let the spring hook slide down into the catch on the top of the brake shoe. Did you clean all the old brake dust and crap off the springs? Sometimes it helps.

Bitter · 10-08-2006, 10:44 AM

well he should be using NEW hardware with new shoes because the old springs can be worn and will let the new shoes drag and wear faster and unevenly, also will heat the drum too much warping it, and reduce fuel milage.

diver9000 · 10-08-2006, 10:55 AM

Hey Bitter whats up. You are absolutely correct but some ppl will replace the shoes and even get a new hardware kit without cleaning it real good. You gotta love brakleen. Works great

Valkyrie90AE92 · 10-08-2006, 09:41 PM

Yeah, everything got cleaned thoroughly. I finally got it done. I had to unhook the spring on the other side, hook it on the side I had a problem with (I was using the Haynes manual) and use some really long nose pliers to stretch it all the way to the opposite end--used the hub as a fulcrum. At least now I know what to expect when I do the other drum.... As for the used parts, I was told to use the old ones as long as they were ok and not deformed or broken. So far they seem ok. If not, Ill do it all over again

Thanks for the help!

diver9000 · 10-09-2006, 10:57 AM

Hey Valkyrie, been to the tail of the dragon lately?

Oh yeah. Did you go to the hoot this year? They had over 20,000 this time.

Bitter · 10-09-2006, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diver9000

Hey Bitter whats up. You are absolutely correct but some ppl will replace the shoes and even get a new hardware kit without cleaning it real good. You gotta love brakleen. Works great

the reason you replace the springs is because they've been in there getting stretched back and forth for 100,000 miles of driving with several hundred thousand cycles of stretch and relax. that will allow the brake shoes to drag over time and cause uneven and premature wear. dragging brakes will sap gas mileage and horsepower, warp the drums, and in bad cases can cook the grease in the rear wheel bearings.

Valkyrie90AE92 · 10-09-2006, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diver9000

Hey Valkyrie, been to the tail of the dragon lately?

Oh yeah. Did you go to the hoot this year? They had over 20,000 this time.

Havent been able to make it. My Z is a royal #$%#! and only does something when she wants to. Still a lot of work on her to make her roadworthy enough to make that kinda trip. She is the reason I got a Corolla in the first place. I soooo would love to go next year, though!

diver9000 · 10-10-2006, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valkyrie90AE92

Havent been able to make it. My Z is a royal #$%#! and only does something when she wants to. Still a lot of work on her to make her roadworthy enough to make that kinda trip. She is the reason I got a Corolla in the first place. I soooo would love to go next year, though!

So whats wrong with her? I've got a boulevard and she is smooth. Heel/Toe shifter, memphis shade shield, cobra bars, suicide cruise etc.....I get about 43mpg in town.

94_Rolla_Guy · 10-11-2006, 01:48 AM

What works really good for that is to get some relatively heavy wire like 18 or 16 GA tie it in a loop then hook the spring onto the loop now you have something to pull with use a pair of pliers to manuver the springs hook into the shoe, then just cut or untie the wire and remove it (oh leave the insulation on the wire)