I am replacing the brake shoes (rear drum brakes) on a 1989 cavalier, and I am a little confused by the re-assembly... Specifically when I re-install the bearing sleeve, actuator lever, actuator lever return spring, rear hold-down pin and spring, and actuator link.

The repair drawing shows a double-sided bearing, but the bearing only has a single side. I am assuming that the flat surface goes against the brake shoe, and the actual bearing goes through the actuator lever. But then, it doesn't appear that the hold-down pin is long to get the spring on. Also, how best to install the actuator lever return spring? Should I do that before or after actuator link?

Anyone who knows what the heck I am babbling about and has any hints, advice would be appreciated. This is probably real simple, but I've never done drum brakes before. I probably just need to think and try harder.


Thanks!

take the drum off the other side and use it for reference....I hate drum brakes, thats why I swapped to rear discs

Slowzee wrote:take the drum off the other side and use it for reference....I hate drum brakes, thats why I swapped to rear discs

To find out what I need to know, I would have to partially disassemble the brakes, the parts I need to look at will probably pop right off, and I totally lose my reference. In other words, the act of observation will likely alter what I am trying to observe.

this may sound retarded. This is how I learned to do rear drum brakes replacement. Just draw on paper how everything is connected, Then u can use it as reference to install. It worked for me.

I'm not sure how to help you at this point, but for future reference when I get a complicated drum brake, i take a picture with my phone so I can look at it later. Your right though, you can't ALWAYS go by the other side for re-assemble. You could try googling a diagram, or look for a chiltons or haynes manual.

Sunfiretun3r wrote:I'm not sure how to help you at this point, but for future reference when I get a complicated drum brake, i take a picture with my phone so I can look at it later. Your right though, you can't ALWAYS go by the other side for re-assemble. You could try googling a diagram, or look for a chiltons or haynes manual.

A picture won't do anything more than looking at the other side will. I do have diagrams, but they don't provide practical advice. I know where everything goes, but not necessarily in which order, or to how most easily do this. I am sure it is simple, it is probably just a matter of fiddling with it. I bet once I do it, I can do it again in 120 seconds. Oh well.

Thanks.