Rear brake shoes and drums

JON SANDOVAL

MEMBER
2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
175,000 MILES

I am replacing the rear brake drums and shoes on my car. Before starting the job I consulted several videos on how to do the job and consulted a manual. All the videos and the manual showed the assembly as exactly the same. But upon removing the drums I found a completely different assembly.
Any idea as to why this is and how do I find out how to work on this other type of assembly?

Thanks!

7 Replies

HMAC300

MECHANIC
48,601 POSTS

This is just a normal brake setup see pictures for instructions or refer to video under how to repair see this article which is similar to your car although not the same.
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-rear-brake-shoes-and-drums

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Thursday, February 25th, 2021 AT 9:20 AM

JON SANDOVAL

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4 POSTS

Thank you for your reply. After more research I have found that at sometime in the past the previous owner replaced the rear axle with an axle from a Pontiac Sunfire. I am swapping the shoes I purchased from an automotive store for the correct ones. Again, thank you for your help.

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Thursday, February 25th, 2021 AT 9:20 AM

HMAC300

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Maybe these pictures will help this is off a 2005 Sunfire.

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Thursday, February 25th, 2021 AT 9:20 AM

JON SANDOVAL

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4 POSTS

Thank you so much! That is the exact assembly! What is the name of that special tool for installing the shoes?

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Thursday, February 25th, 2021 AT 9:20 AM

HMAC300

MECHANIC
48,601 POSTS

They call it a brake shoe spanner and spring remover it is a Kent more tool auto parts will have something like it probably like lisle or one to rent possibly it is not worth it to buy it. You can probably use dykes for the one spring removal and a screwdriver for other.